Press Release

Stornoway Port Authority is pleased with progress to the Fender Pile Repairs at the Town's Number 3 Pier which required the closure of Number 3 Pier Ferry Berth for the past two weeks, resulting in all traffic and passengers having to use the old Number 1 Pier facility.

 

The contract for repairs work in excess of £60k was awarded to Aggregate Industries Ltd and involves re-alignment work to damages on two piles caused in separate incidents involving the MV Isle of Lewis and MV Muirneag.

 

It is anticipated that work will be completed in the course of this week or early next week when normal service at Number 3 Pier will be resumed.

 

Commenting, Chief Executive, John J Maclennan said "The Authority should like to thank all users and travelling members of the public for their co-operation over these weeks, and we would apologise for the inconvenience caused.

 

Once again this highlights the absolute necessity for having two operational linkspans at Stornoway so as to minimise disruption in the event of one having to be withdrawn from service.

 

The Board has recently incurred expenditure of approximately £170k on steel repairs to the Number 1 Pier Linkspan so as to secure its continued short term use. However, taking a slightly longer view the Port Authority considers that the only way ahead is to rebuild Number 1 Pier and Linkspan in order to meet the needs of the Island Community.

 

Following a 10 years investment plan, nearing completion, around the harbour at a cost of some £3.5M, Mr. Maclennan confirmed that the next challenge, of top priority facing the Board was the replacement of Number 1 Pier and Linkspan and that he was in the preliminary stages of investigating funding opportunities with the relevant agencies".