Marina damage still in question
The newly expanded and improved pier at Lochmaddy was officially opened on 26th February, with Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop on hand to cut the ribbon.
Although the new pier has already been in operation for some time, the ceremony marked a formal conclusion to the infrastructure works and offered an opportunity to thank the teams involved in the project.
Cllr Uisdean Robertson, the Comhairle’s Chair of Transportation, said: “The delivery of this project alongside the improvement works at Tarbert and Uig has demonstrated the value of close partnership working between Transport Scotland, CMAL, CalMac, Local Authorities and partner organisations. The development of the pier in anticipation of the arrival of the ferries currently under construction in Turkey is welcome and will see a dedicated vessel on the Lochmaddy to Uig route.”
The £15.3m contract to upgrade the CnES owned pier had been awarded to George Leslie Ltd in February 2022 and works were originally due to be completed in the Spring of 2023. The project has delivered improved berthing facilities, a strengthened and extended pier, new fendering and an expanded marshalling area, in readiness for the new vessel that will operate on the Uig route.
The works have not been without controversy. Lochmaddy Marina Ltd is pursuing the contractors involved with the project to determine liability for what they describe as £700k-plus write-off costs.
A spokesperson for Lochmaddy Marina Ltd told Am Pàipear: “When works first started in the spring of 2022, the anchor securing the marina pontoons to the sea bed floor were dragged a full five metres out of place. We were part way through negotiations for the anchor’s reinstatement and were not expecting dredging to commence without its return to position.
“Exactly one hour and three minutes prior to the accident taking place, I got a text message from the sub contractor saying the dredging had started. The next thing was a panicked phone call saying that the hammer head pontoon at the end of the marina had been wrenched upside down.
“If there had been a boat tied up, or heaven forbid, crew members asleep in the hold, there could have been deadly consequences. As it is, the marina will not be in a position to open to the marine tourists that Lochmaddy usually hosts, and in real terms, that is money not in the tills of local shops and businesses.” “We remain now in the hands of the various solicitors when it would be much simpler in our view for reinstatement costs to be paid and we can all move on. After five months, our hope to appeal to the better natures of those involved is now wearing thin.”
A spokesperson for George Leslie told Am Pàipear: “We are aware of the allegations. At present, the matter is being investigated by insurers. We will have no further comment to make on this issue.”
