Ferry  operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that a limited passenger only service will operate during the closure of Tarbert linkspan at the beginning of March. It had been thought that Tarbert pier would have to close completely for a week while essential replacement work on the linkspan’s suspension ropes is carried out.

However, Route Manager David Taylor has confirmed that CalMac will be able to offer a passenger only service for the duration of the works for approximately seven days from Monday, March 8. The last sailing from Harris for vehicular traffic will be at 0730 on that date and all other vehicular traffic from Tarbert after that point will be routed through Stornoway or Lochmaddy.

Mr Taylor said: “I am pleased to say that we have managed to come to a working arrangement which allows us to operate a limited service, enabling us to keep the disruption to a minimum. This is essential work and if we are fortunate with the weather, I am fairly confident that we will be back into the swing of things by the Saturday of the same week, in much the same way as we completed the work which was done at Uig recently ahead of schedule. We will obviously resume our full, normal timetable as quickly as possible.”

The passenger only service will operate as follows:

DEPART TARBERT                Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 MARCH 2004 at 0730

DEPART UIG                         Tuesday 09  and Saturday 13 MARCH at 1400hrs

and Thursday 11 MARCH at 1500.

Departure times for services between Lochmaddy and Uig will be unaffected during the period of the work at Tarbert. However, it should be noted that the 1135 sailings on Tuesday (9^th) and Saturday (13^th)  from Lochmaddy will go directly to Uig.

CalMac is able to offer the passenger only service while the work is being completed at Tarbert as the weather at this time of year generally precludes the ship operating on the route being berthed at Uig in Skye overnight.  Fuel will be required for the normal service and and bunkering facilities are in Tarbert.

While the linkspan is out of commission, other berthing facilities at Tarbert will remain available for use.

While the work in Tarbert is being completed, customers are advised to check all travel arrangements with the appropriate office on the route before travelling.

ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, Caledonian MacBrayne.

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

Issued:  Tuesday, January 27, 2004  : 1100