Repair work suspended at harbour

The future of Banff Harbour could be in the balance due to a row between the council and contractors involved in repair work.

Operations to reinstate a crumbling wall and the damaged railway jetty have stopped after workers discovered “unexpected ground conditions”.

Contractors Lochshell Ltd say work cannot resume until the local authority supplies updated documentation.

Aberdeenshire Council’s director of infrastructure services, Alan Wood, confirmed: “Works have been suspended while contractual discussions are held.”

Meanwhile, harbour users remain concerned that the delay will only serve to worsen the damage already suffered.

Battered Banff Harbour “could be finished” as major repairs to the historic port hang in the balance amid a dispute between the council and contractors.

Parts of a crumbling wall came loose and crashed into the sea in the spring of 2017 following freak storms, and long-awaited restoration work got under way in January.

Aberdeenshire Council appointed Lochshell Ltd to reinstate the damaged railway jetty, where trains once arrived to pick up goods.

The company was also tasked with strengthening the east pier as part of the contract.

But now workers have downed tools after discovering “unexpected ground conditions”.

And harbour users fear that, unless the wall is repaired by the time winter gales sweep in, the port could end up suffering irreparable damage.

Lochshell, which is based just outside Wick, said that work had ground to a halt when it emerged the job was more complex than first expected.

A statement from the firm said: “Lochshell Engineering is currently awaiting updated contract design documents from Aberdeenshire Council due to unexpected ground conditions found on site.

“Once received, this will then allow works to resume and progress to completion at Banff Harbour.

“We fully support the project and improvements being made and invested in by Aberdeenshire Council, and are keen to deliver the works which will return the harbour to the local community as soon as practicable.”

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed the expected completion date of early September will not be met, but stressed that officials are doing all they can to get the scheme back on track.

Alan Wood, director of infrastructure services, said: “Works at Banff Harbour have been suspended while contractual discussions are held.

“We are profoundly disappointed by this delay in the project and I would like to reassure harbour users that we are doing everything in our power to resume these critical works as soon as possible.

“However, given the delay, we do not anticipate completion by the previously stated date of September 3.”

The harbour dates back to 1625 and about 30 small boats still fish out of it almost 400 years later, though most berths are occupied by pleasure crafts.

One of the harbour users, Phil Elmsley, explained that he had craned his yacht from the water earlier this year to keep it at Lossiemouth.

But many others craft remain trapped, unable to leave while sections are enclosed by large bunds to allow for the construction work.

Mr Elmsley, a local historian when it comes to the port’s past, has grave fears about its future if the work doesn’t resume urgently.

He said: “Something wants doing before the winter gales come, that’s the most important thing.

“Otherwise, Banff Harbour could be finished.

“The people of Banff, many years ago, invested in that harbour and when the council took it over they inherited the responsibility of keeping it going.”

Banff Harbour Advisory Committee chairman, Councillor John Cox, echoed those concerns.

Mr Cox said: “I recognise that the way the harbour has been left, with half of the pier taken away, could be a significant concern if there was a combination of high tides and bad weather.

“I can see that being an issue, we have to ensure that doesn’t happen.

“That would be devastating.”

Lochshell’s website states that the firm has 40 years of experience in engineering, construction and steel fabrication.

Its previous clients include Moray Council and Highland Council.

RACE AGAINST TIME: Local people fear the harbour could be damaged beyond repair if work does not resume.