Ferguson Transport’s rail and marine plans

Ferguson Transport and Shipping has revealed plans to build a timber rail terminal and floating pier at Corpach.

The Lochaber logistics company hopes to eventually transport up to 50,000 tonnes of timber per annum from Rannoch forestry sites – roughly three trains per week carrying 400 tonnes each – directly into Annat point by rail.

Managing director Alasdair Ferguson presented Ferguson Transport’s plans to Kilmallie Community Council on Monday (September 24) and revealed that rail operations could begin by next spring.

The company has put together plans to construct a timber log terminal next to the sawmill yard as well as a floating pier at Loch Eil narrows in order to carry logs to and from ships. Mr Ferguson explained that the floating pier would supplement current operations at Corpach Port rather than replace.

Considering the number of complaints about excessive noise at the Annat industrial site received in the last year, community councillors sought assurances that this expansion would not add to the problem.

Mr Ferguson said he wanted to work closely with the community to ‘mitigate any light and noise complaints’.

Planning permission was granted for the construction of a rail terminal on the site in 2011. The company will apply for planning permission on other developments in the next month or two.