The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Piers to be revamped for ferry
£60 million funds to get terminals ready for new boat
Multi-million pound overhauls of three ferry terminals are to start by the end of the year to make them suitable for a new, larger vessel.
Around £60 million is to be invested in the comprehensive revamp of piers in Uig on Skye, Tarbert and Lochmaddy.
Each will be rebuilt, lengthened and strengthened to cope with the arrival of the 330ft ferry that is to replace MV Hebrides on the Skye triangle route.
Colin Howell, head of infrastructure for Highland Council said the project would bring facilities into the 21st Century.
He said: “The works to be undertaken are effectively to optimise the layout of Uig ferry terminal and to maximise the benefits of the new ferry vessel currently under construction.
“We are going to strengthen and widen the existing ferry berth, we are going to extend the ferry berth and provide wave shelter, and a new rank head at the end of the pier.
“We are going to provide a new link span and we are also going to widen the approach way from the current marshalling area to the ferry vessel to two way traffic.
“We are also rebuilding, widening and extending the car park and the marshalling area and building a new ferry terminal building.
“We are bringing the facilities right up to date.
“The new vessel will be much bigger, much heavier, and have much more windage.
“It’s a major investment and a great improvement from what you see in Uig.”
Scottish Government agency Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has now launched a public contract in an effort to find the best contractors to help bring the designs to life.
Construction is expected to begin by September with works ongoing for between 18 months and two years.
Brian Sydney, senior civil engineer at CMAL, said: “We’ve reached another important milestone for the proposed upgrade of the Skye triangle ports. The contract notice is for the initial selection stage to identify notes of interest from contractors and to shortlist eligible bidders.
“The full tender documents will be issued later in the year, probably from early April.
“The estimated budget is subject to final Scottish Government budget approval, which we expect in the near future.”