Uig Harbour closure - plans
Changes to ferry services during the planned closure of Uig harbour were announced on 2 September 2022. The statement below by the project partners: the Highland Council (owner of Uig) Transport Scotland, CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd; provides the details about the works as well as information links.
It is acknowledged that any level of planned disruption to ferry services is unwelcome - however, the works at Uig are essential to replace life expired infrastructure thus ensuring the continuation of ferry services on the Skye Triangle route for the longer term.
The works to be carried out during the 14 weeks planned closure of Uig harbour will be:
Closure One - Monday 16th January 2023 until 13th March 2023
The works during the first closure will include dredging the existing berth, installing new fender pile sockets, and the demolition of part of the existing pier slab and extraction of piles.
This demolition will allow the installation of the new bank-seat and piling for the linkspan dolphins. In addition to the permanent works described, the Highland Council's contractor, RJ McLeod, will install a temporary bridge to span between the existing linkspan and the existing pier. This will allow the ferry operations to recommence on Monday 13th of March for normal operation of the summer timetable in 2023. The temporary works will also include the installation of protection piles adjacent to the new roundhead construction area. This will allow the contractor to continue piling the roundhead whilst the ferry is operating.
Closure Two - Monday 30th October 2023 until 11th December 2023
- The works during the second closure will include the removal of the temporary bridge, existing linkspan, dolphins, bank-seat and temporary piles, completion of the fenders and installation and commissioning of the new linkspan.
Service Continuity Plans
The amended service plan that will be in operation during the closure is:
Amended North Uist Service | Daily return service operating between Ullapool and Lochmaddy. |
|---|---|
Tarbert - Uig service cancelled | No service to/from Tarbert for the duration of Uig closure. |
Amended Ullapool - Stornoway Service | Sailing times altered to accommodate Ullapool - Lochmaddy sailings. |
Mallaig/Oban - Lochboisdale | Increased services per week, with five services operating to Mallaig and three services operating to Oban. During periods of relief, the service will operate to/from Oban in line with normal operating days. |
Berneray - Leverburgh | One additional return sailing to operate daily from 16 - 31 January 2023, in advance of the normal service level increase in February. |
Fare Alignment | Customers utilising Lochmaddy - Ullapool or diverted to Stornoway - Ullapool, Lochboisdale - Oban/Mallaig will not pay higher fares |
Bus Transportation | Transport for displaced Tarbert/Uig foot passengers will be provided. Consultation with service users will take place in coming months, expected November 2022. |
Full details and timetables for services during the outage can be found on CalMac's website here.
Skye Triangle Resilience Group
The group comprising of the Minister for Transport, project partners will meet in advance of and throughout the outage periods with community representatives to provide regular updates on the works and will address any issues that arise.
Project Information
This can be found via the project partners' webpages:
The Highland Council:
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1523/transport_and_streets/832/uig_harbour_redevelopment
CalMac Ferries Ltd:
Transport Scotland:
Infrastructure projects | Skye Triangle | Transport Scotland