GOUROCK'S dilapidated ferry linkspan has been removed during a painstaking night-time operation to make way for a new one as part of a £2 million project.
Huge offshore crane Lara 1, which has a reach of 40 metres, was used for the delicate work in the early hours of Wednesday.
The new linkspan has been delivered to Gourock and is set to be installed by contractors George Leslie by December 23, subject to weather conditions.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which owns the ferry terminal, is to make Gourock an alternative mainland port for vehicle-carrying vessels.
But the main ferry service between the town and Dunoon will continue to be operated by passenger-only boats.
CMAL senior civil engineer, Paul Colenso, said: "This marks a major step in the project, with the next key milestone being the installation of the new linkspan.
"We're working to complete in December, so long as we don't experience any severe weather over the coming weeks."
The work was carried out at night in order that ferry services were not disrupted.
The old linkspan has been taken to Liverpool to be broken up.
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