► Revised Stornoway to Skye sailings
Fears the new £42 million MV Loch Seaforth may not arrive in Stornoway for months
has prompted a specially set-
Caledonian Macbrayne’s (Cal Mac) flagship vessel, MV Loch Seaforth remains laid up on the Clyde with no firm word of when she will commence sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool.
While some are hoping it may be February or March, the lack of an firm date means it may be possible the delay will stretch into May.
The ferry pier at Stornoway harbour is not ready to accommodate the vessel.
Cal Mac highlights introducing the Loch Seaforth for a foot-
Further pier works’ delays risk pushing the start date into the summer season
Taskforce discuss summer-
14 January 2015
Scottish transport minister Derek Mackay has now called an urgent meeting of all parties involved.
He has established a taskforce to thrash out the problems and try and pin down some kind of proposed timetable to complete the Stornoway pier works.
Representatives from Transport Scotland, ship owners Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) as well as Calmac Ferries and Western Isles Council have been called to the meeting.
Board members from Stornoway Port Authority have also been asked to attend and explain the ongoing delays at the forum in Edinburgh.
Timetable upheaval and reduced ferry services for the Lewis community promised by replacing Ullapool’s ferry linkspan pier at the start of the tourist season over April and May will be raised by Western Isles Council representatives at the same meeting.
The Stornoway car ferry will not be able to dock at Ullapool for about five weeks
as a result. However, a foot-
Cal Mac highlights the introduction Loch Seaforth to the route, and the Ullapool linkspan replacement “is completely dependent on the completion of the Stornoway improvements.”
To the council’s anger, Cal Mac plans to run a ship from Skye to Stornoway, often only one sailing a day.
After publishing a chaotic timetable with different schedules almost every day including 4am arrivals or departures, Cal Mac has promised to consult with “interested parties over the coming weeks around how to optimise sailing times.”
Western Isles transport chairman Iain Mackay urged Cal Mac to consult properly.
Mr Mackay said it was necessary to minimise “ disruption to our communities whilst continuing to encourage visitors to our islands.
“While the need for the works at Ullapool is accepted by everyone, the temporary arrangements will cause major disruption which will have a direct effect on both the travelling public and the business community.”
He added: “I hope that no decisions have been taken on what these interim arrangements will be before discussing the details with the council and the communities of the Western Isles.”
Martin Dorchester, CalMac’s managing director, said: “Ongoing improvement work to Ullapool Harbour in particular fitting the replacement linkspan has had to be delayed in light of continuing issues with the Stornoway Harbour upgrade.”
Full reasons for the continuing construction delays have never been disclosed publicly.
In a recent statement Stornoway Port Authority said: “The contractors had been working
24-
Construction project manager, Graham Hopper of contractors BAM Nuttall commented: “We realise that the construction works have been going on for much longer than originally anticipated, due to various circumstances and we thank everyone for their continued patience while we progress the works to conclusion as quickly as possible.”
A run of storms and gales which prevents high cranes from operating at the site has mean little work has been undertaken for weeks.
► Revised Stornoway to Skye sailings