Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that a local
management operation will be put in place for the reconstructed Largs
pier, which should be open for business by the end of 2006.

Representatives of the Company detailed their plans for the new pier at
a public meeting in Largs at the beginning of this week and have
promised more publicity and information before work begins. The
meeting was also attended by representative of the Waverley which is a
key feature of the Largs summer season.

The Company will be putting the details of drawings of the proposed
reconstruction and the new ferry for the Largs to Cumbrae service on
its website shortly and the communities of Largs and Cumbrae will have
the opportunity to make their views on the project known through a
feedback facility.

John Kerr, CalMac’s Technical Director, who is supervising the project
said: “This is an early opportunity for both communities to see what we
are proposing and we intend to work very closely with all interested
parties to ensure that we achieve the best possible solution for
everyone at the end of the day. The operation of a lifeline services is
what we are about and the facility in Largs is key to the operation as
well as being a focal point for the town and everyone attracted to it.
We will endeavour to ensure that the work is done with minimal
disruption but this is a major undertaking which will require a
significant level of cooperation from everyone involved and if we plan
everything properly, I am confident we will emerge with a significant
result.”

CalMac will soon be promoting a Harbour Revision Order which is
required to enable them to proceed with the pier reconstruction project
and this will be made available for viewing in due course in local
outlets for the 42-day consultation period.

Phil Preston, CalMac’s Operations Director, who also attended the
meeting, said: “The estimated cost of this project is £2.8million and
it will be required to be finished to a very high order. This is a key
facility for ourselves and also for all the other operators who work in
the vicinity. We will be working closely with them before, during and
after the works are complete and we will be setting up a Management
Plan through a mechanism we will establish in cooperation with the
Community Council. We are very aware of the sensitivity and
practicalities of such an undertaking in the vicinity of other
operators. The current pier has reached the end of its useful life and
we will have to address issues such as public access in due course,
taking into account the various health and safety implications which
are identified.”

Work on the reconstruction of the pier will be undertaken in five
phases and it is expected that the work will start in the New Year,
with November 2006 the current estimated completion target.

ends


For further information on the content of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan,
Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne.

Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

Issued: Tuesday, October 4, 2005 : 1500