There will be a causeway between South Uist and Eriskay. An announcement from the Scottish Office today of £2.8m of Objective 1 funds for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Eriskay and Sound of Barra Integrated Transport Project completed the financial package for the causeway and provided the news that the people of Eriskay have been waiting for.
The causeway will link the islands of South Uist and Eriskay and completes the Comhairle's ambitious programme of providing fixed links to all the populated islands in the Western Isles. The Eriskay Causeway will also link two of the most econoically deprived areas in Scotland, both of which are identified as being in need of economic regeneration under the Government's 'At The Edge Initiative'.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has committed £2m towards the causeway costs whilst HIE have agreed to give £500k. Together with £4.1m from the government's Transportation Challenge fund and today's announcement of £2.8m from Objective 1 funds, the financial package for the causeway is complete. The overall package for the Eriskay and Sound of Barra Integrated Transport Project totals £13.65 and is dependent upon a new vessel being provided by Caledonian Macbrayne.
The news of the successful bid for £2.8m from the Objective 1 scheme was greeted with delight in Eriskay and by Members and officials at the Comhairle. Transportation Chairman Cllr. Angus Graham said:
"This is excellent news, not only for Eriskay but for the whole of the Western Isles. This project has been an integral part of the Comhairle's transportation and social strategy and the causeway will be the third fixed link project developed by the Comhairle in the past four years. The Transport infrastructure of the islands has seen enormous improvements in the past four years which will result in increased prosperity and social activity for some of our remotest areas. However, the task of economic regeneration in our islands is only just beginning and we must move on to develop our roads network and the rest of the transport infrastructure which will pave the way for increased prosperity for people throughout our islands".
Local Councillor David Blaney said:
"The Comhairle asked the people of Eriskay to be patient and said that their needs would not be forgotten. Whilst that strategy hasn't always been an easy path, the Comhairle, with support from the Government and HIE, has delivered. I have spoken to people on Eriskay today and I can say that they are absolutely delighted. Life will never be the same for the people of Eriskay. It will be significantly better."
The new Convener and Vice-Convener of the Comhairle, Cllr Alex Macdonald and Cllr. Roddy Murray, together with Transportation Chairman Cllr. Angus Graham, will travel to Eriskay next week to meet with people on the island and in the Uists.
Convener Alex Macdonald, the past Chairman of Transportation, said today:
"It is a real pleasure to start the new administration of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar with such good news. Meetings in Eriskay in the past have not always been easy but I am looking forward to travelling to the island next week, to share in the people's delight at this excellent announcement".
Work on the causeway will start later this year and is expected to be completed by the Autumn of 2001. The current financial package covers the cost of the civil engineering works. The next stage in the Integrated Transport Project is for Caledonian Macbrayne to consider the provision of a new vessel.
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
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