Stornoway harbour pier works

The SNP group on the Comhairle has commended Transport and Islands Minister Derek MacKay for setting up a taskforce with the “determined focus” to have the pier infrastructure at Stornoway and Ullapool completed as “quickly as practicable” to enable the MV Loch Seaforth to commence commercial sailings.

Stornoway Port Authority delays in awarding a contract to upgrade the ferry pier, the late start to the works and the failure to complete the redevelopment within the initial five month target period has resulted in the new £42 million ferry waiting on the Clyde.

The pier - which should have been ready last summer - is still under construction.

Group leader Donald Manford said: “It's excellent news that Stornoway Port Authority will have its port ready to take the new vessel in the next couple of weeks.”

Mr Manford took an apparent swipe at Labour candidate Alasdair Morrison - a member of the harbour board - who has repeatedly criticised the new Stornoway ferry service provision in his election campaigning.

Mr Manford highlighted the port’s “achievement is all the greater when not all board members have put the service first.”

On other island ferry services, he said the SNP councillors have “long advocated” for dedicated vessels for Tarbert/Uig and Lochmaddy/Uig routes.

This would would provide a much greater level of frequency, reliability and resilience to the entire Western Isles, he said.

“We are grateful for the constant support of our MP Angus MacNeil and would urge the Transport and Islands Minister Derek MacKay to look closely at this for the future.

“We trust the Minister will continue with his plans to meet Island organisations to gain further insight into the opportunities for individual island autonomy and transport resilience.”

Praise for drive to finish Stornoway harbour pier works

26 January 2015