£10m deal to upgrade island pier

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has awarded a £10.1m contract to marine, civil engineering and building contractor L&M Keating Ltd to carry out upgrade works at Lochmaddy Pier in North Uist.

Keating will be responsible for completing all civil engineering works for the harbour upgrade project, including pier strengthening and extension, upgraded fendering, land reclamation and seabed dredging.

The work was due to commence this month and is expected to be completed in spring of next year.

CalMac will continue to operate ferry services during the works.

The infrastructure upgrade work at Lochmaddy is part of the Skye Triangle Infrastructure Project, which involves significant harbour upgrades at the three ports at Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Uig.

The work is designed to improve and modernise harbour facilities and prepare the way for new vessels.

Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Paul Wheelhouse said he was very pleased to see the pier upgrade moving forward following the recent award of another contract for construction works at Tarbert on Harris.

‘Work can now begin on the construction phase of the project, which will deliver an improved experience for the passengers who use these important services,’ said Mr Wheelhouse.

‘Transport Scotland continues to work with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Highland Council and CMAL in the delivery of our ambitious plans for the facilities at the three ports of Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Uig through the Skye Triangle Infrastructure Project.

‘I look forward to seeing this project help to further improve connectivity from and to the Western Isles, with subsequent benefits for the local economy.’

Councillor Uisdean Robertson, chairman of the comhairle’s transportation and infrastructure committee, added: ‘We are very pleased to have reached this very important milestone in the delivery of infrastructure improvements for the wider Skye triangle route.’