Causeway exceptional case

Western Isles Council has voted to lobby the Scottish Government to install openings in the South Ford causeway.

Archie and Murdina Macpherson died along with their two young children Hannah, 5, and seven-year-old Andrew, as well as Murdina's father Calum Campbell when their vehicles were overwhelmed by floodwater during a severe storm in South Uist in January 2005.

The nearby half-mile long South Ford causeway acted as a dam across a tidal sea basin between Benbecula and South Uist.

Scottish Government urged to make causeway “exceptional funding case”

22 April 2015

Unable to escape, a wall of sea water - over two metres high - built up and flooded nearby villages.

Last week, Hebrides News reported the council’s transport committee went against that move saying it was too expensive and not cost-effective.

The £20 million estimated price tag is about half of the £42 million funding pot allocated for flood protection measures for the whole of Scotland.

At least some 20% of the scheme - £4 million - would have to be paid by the local council.

Councillors were told the project falls well below a standard financial cost benefit analysis for Scottish Government funding.

However, at the full council meeting tonight, cllr Ronnie Mackinnon was successful in asking the council to make a direct approach to the Scottish Government for cash help towards the scheme.

Mr Mackinnon explained: “We have to try and find a way forward on the causeway.

“The Scottish Government should treat this as an exceptional case.”

He said the South Uist community were adamant additional sea channels in the causeway are necessary.

Earlier, Cllr Gordon Murray advocated spending funding expected from a proposed revamped distribution of Crown Estate revenues on installing a sea channel.

But council leader Angus Campbell pointed out that negotiations over changes to the management and control of the Crown Estate within the islands were still ongoing.

Mr Campbell highlighted there is no guarantee these revenues would go through the local authority.

Meanwhile, the council has two weeks to notify the Scottish Government it intends to apply for funding for the cheaper option of repairing Gualan Island - a large spit of sand which acted as a barrier against the incoming sea at the ford between South Uist and Benbecula.

Under the plans, shingle would be taken from the northern end of the Gualan to form a base, topped off with sand from the southern basin to make an artificial dune.

The council also agreed for a delegation to visit South Uist and meet with community landlord Storas Uibhist and community groups over the issues.