A north-east harbour has been closed again after efforts to repair a collapased pier caused yet another chunk of masonry to crumble into the sea.
Banff Marina has been intermittently closed since June when a section of the quayside fell away following heavy rain.
The latest botched repair job means a fresh salvage operation will be carried out tomorrow.
Aberdeenshire Council has apologised for the disruption to boat users, but Banff councillor John Cox last night claimed the closure in the peak season would have a knock-on effect on tourism – and in turn, the regeneration of the town.
He had previously called for a structural survey to be completed on the pier to ensure that it would not continue to disappear.
He said: “If we can’t keep that open during the high of a tourist season, how can we expect people to get involved or sign up to regeneration projects or initiatives?
“Businesses are saying to me: ‘what’s the point?’
“People aren’t willing to invest anymore; it’s breeding complete apathy.
“In other parts of Scotland, doors are open and there’s a can-do attitude. What we’re seeing today is an issue. How can we ask people to attend strategy meetings and get involved in plans or actions when this is what we’re faced with?
“It’s a major tourist attraction that has closed.”
Roger Goodyear, chairman of the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, added that harbours like Banff’s had a “hugely important” role to play in bringing people to the region.
“I’m extremely sorry to hear there’s been a further obstacle created there,” he said.
“Harbours are essential to tourism in this part of the world – they’re huge attractions.
“Since Whisky Galore filmed in Portsoy, we’re already seeing an extraordinary increase of people coming to just look around, so it is very concerning to hear about Banff.
“Harbours are also very important to the economic well-being of this area. It really is a case of wishing them God speed in the repairs.”
A council spokesman explained that flotation bags that had been used to clear the rubble away during a high tide last week were not strong enough to move the debris. A fresh attempt to clear the harbour channel will be made tomorrow.
“Vessel movements will continue to be restricted under the guidance of the harbourmaster until the channel can be safely cleared,” he added.
Banff Harbour was constructed in 1625, when rocks were originally cleared from the coastline to open up a haven for vessels.
Boats still fish out of the port on a small scale almost 400 years later but today is primarily used for small pleasure crafts.
