Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that alternative arrangements are being put in place on the Uig/Tarbert/Lochmaddy service while essential maintenance work is being carried out on the pier at Uig from Saturday November 8. The work could take less than a week to complete.

The pier is owned and maintained by Highland Council. The work in November involves replacement of the wires to the linkspan facility. CalMac has confirmed that this means that there will be no service at all on the Uig triangle while the work is being completed.

Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager explained: "It is simply not possible to have a service during this work which has to be done by the Council. We have examined all the options and the anticipated traffic volumes and the best alternative available is a daily vehicle and passenger service from Lochmaddy to Ullapool which will leave Lochmaddy at 0615 and arrive in Ullapool at 1035, leaving Ullapool again at 1050, arriving in Lochmaddy at 1510. This is obviously not ideal, but given our overhaul commitments and the fact that this is one of the quietest weeks of the year, we are endeavouring to keep disruption to a minimum.  It is Highland Council's pier and they maintain it. This work simply has to be done. The linkspan cannot operate without wires and they have to be replaced from time to time.  While this is all undoubtedly an inconvenience to everyone, which we regret, it is also worth noting that the absence of the ferry service is a commercial blow to the company as well as everyone else. I am sure that everything will be done to complete the work within the week, as quickly as possible.

Answering suggestions that other ships could be deployed to maintain the service, even on a passenger only basis, Mr MacLennan explained that during November there is a major series of annual overhauls planned. MV Isle of Arran will be relieving MV Muirneag on the Stornoway freight run. MV Hebridean Isles will be deployed in Islay in place of the Arran. MV Lord of the Isles will be relieving Clansman which will in trine be relieving MV Isle of Lewis while she is in dock. Other concerns such as loading restrictions on Uig pier and fendering issues have left CalMac with no alternative than to introduce the temporary arrangement between Ullapool and Lochmaddy.

Mr MacLennan added: "The work is due to begin on Saturday November 8, following the 1530 sailing to Tarbert. We would hope to resume service on Thursday or Friday of the following week. The arrangements we have put in place are exactly the same as when Lochboisdale and Lochmaddy wires were replaced in recent times."

CalMac has also confirmed that the Tarbert pier is likely to close for a week in early March next year for essential replacement work on the ropes to be carried out.

Further details will be issued nearer the time but it is expected that Tarbert will be out of action for approximately seven days from Monday, March 8.

There will be an alternative timetable in operation to/from North Uist for the duration of the November 2003 works and is as follows:

 

Lochmaddy Dep            Ullapool Arr            Ullapool Dep            Lochmaddy Arr

      0615                            1035                    1050                  1510                                           

 

Harris will be served through Stornoway - Ullapool.

This timetable will operate daily from Monday 10 November to Saturday 15 November inclusive.

 

ends