FERRY WEIGHT LIMIT REVOKED
A controversial new weight restriction on the Corran Ferry will be overturned by Highland Council's vice convener before it is due to start on Monday, March 20. The return of the main vessel, the MV Corran, to the lifeline ferry route across Loch Linnhe has been delayed until April.
MV Maid of Glencoul, a smaller, older ferry, has been covering the five-minute crossing from Ardgour to Nether Lochaber.
On Tuesday March 7, Highland Council announced a temporary 3.5t weight restriction on the Maid of Glencoul “to ensure the safety of the travelling public”.
Local businesses immediately began complaining to councillors.
“They are the tip of the iceberg,” Michael Foxley, chairperson of Ardgour Community Council, told us. “It is a big iceberg. This is seriously bad.”
Andrew Cameron, owner of Loch Shiel Garage in Acharacle called the decision “ridiculous” and said that his business would be unable to continue its “essential” vehicle recovery serving the peninsulas and Mull if the restriction was put in place.
Davie Ferguson, manager of Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust, said that it was “unacceptable” behaviour from the Highland Council.
A letter by one concerned resident, posted on the Corran Narrows Crossing social media group, appealed to Highland Council's vice convener Ken Gowan: “Seeing the comments and concerns of businesses and safety issues on proposed diversions, would The Highland Council not reconsider retracting this proposal with a more thought-out approach?”
A post on Thursday quoted Councillor Gowan's response: “This decision was made with no elected members present.
The two-month closure of Uig Harbour has been extended by 10 days to complete critical tests and works to Castlebay.
The move will mean further ferry disruption to the Outer Hebrides.
“This is immensely frustrating during an already testing time for communities, businesses and customers,” said CalMac’s chief executive Robbie Drummond.
The harbour’s owner, Highland Council, published an update on Wednesday March 8, saying: “The first of two planned closures of Uig Ferry Terminal is nearing completion. The planned eight-week closure which commenced on 16 January is currently in its final week and considerable progress has been made despite severe weather in February.
“However, some of the critical works which allow the ferry to operate from the port remain outstanding such as piling and linkspan testing.
“To avoid unnecessary uncertainty, Highland Council has taken the decision, in consultation with our contractor RJ McLeod, our partners Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), Transport Scotland and customer CalMac, to delay the rescheduled opening of Uig harbour until Thursday 23 March, as opposed to Monday 13 March 2023. This will hopefully allow sufficient time for the completion of critical works.
“The existing alternative ferry services timetable, Lochmaddy to Ullapool, will continue until the works have been completed and the linkspan has been tested. The Highland Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and will seek to minimise the delay to reopening services.”
Chairperson of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowan said: “It is disappointing, but understandable the outage period has had to be lengthened due to the extreme weather conditions that have been prevalent throughout the works period.
“While alternative plans will need to be extended for a further short period, this will enable the works to be completed safely and to a high standard.
“I am grateful for the encouragement we have had from the public and partners, in the knowledge we are doing all we can to reduce any disruption and to have Uig Harbour operational again.”
The ferry operator CalMac amended its timetables for the Ullapool to Stornoway and Lochmaddy services, the latter of which now has a longer travel time of four and a half hours.
The current daily return service between Lochboisdale and Oban with MV Isle of Mull will continue.
The vessel will continue to operate in cargo mode on Mondays and Wednesdays to facilitate shipment of dangerous goods to Uist with passenger numbers restricted to 30. Advanced booking on these days is essential.
A spokesperson from CMAL, the national body that owns CalMac ferries and ports, said: “Routine maintenance work to replace the wire lifting ropes at Castlebay has been postponed due to urgent work at Uig Harbour taking priority.
“We are working with the team at CalMac to reschedule the work at Castlebay, and will communicate this as soon as we have new dates confirmed.”
Details of amended services are on the CalMac website www.calmac.co.uk. Transport Scotland has agreed to extend the MV Arrow charter until Wednesday March 22, so there will be added support available if required.