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Eriskay Causeway Opening |
04 September 2002 |
The opening ceremony co-incides with the anniversary of the Twin Towers atrocity and there will be prayers and a minute’s silence to mark the occasion. Two representatives of Pendleton, U.S.A., the Western Isles twin town, will be attending the ceremony.
The Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr. Alex MacDonald, said: “Whilst we are aware of the sensitivity of the date for the opening, we also have an obligation to future generations to look forward. I can think of no greater symbols of the unity of our Islands than the causeways and bridges which link our communities. I believe we can mark this special occasion in an appropriate manner and I am delighted that we will be joined by guests from the U.S.A. which will lend the ceremony an added poignancy”.
The causeway to Eriskay was the largest civil engineering project of its type under way in the United Kingdom in 2000-2001. It is the latest in a series of fixed links built between the many islands which make up the Western Isles. The Causeway increases social and economic integration for the population of the island made famous in the Compton Mackenzie story, Whisky Galore.
Chairman of Transportation, Cllr. Norman A. Macdonald said: “Eriskay has a rich history and now the people of the island can look forward to a more prosperous future. This is the latest in a series of fixed link projects for the Western Isles. Such links not only increase the economic prosperity of some of our remotest areas but also provide social benefits for the community.”
To the north of Eriskay lie the islands of the Uists, Benbecula and Berneray, all now linked by causeways. A high quality car ferry service now links these islands with Harris and Lewis to the north while a ferry service operated by the Comhairle links to Barra making it possible for the first time to travel the length of the Islands by vehicle. A new, bigger ferry service is planned for the Sound Of Barra.
Councillor for Eriskay, David Blaney, said: “This historic day for Eriskay has been a long time coming. I am pleased for the local community who have shown great patience and determination in realising their hopes of a fixed link to South Uist”.
The causeway makes Eriskay a link in the north-south route along the 135-mile island chain.
Ends
Further information on Eriskay and its causeway, other Bridges and causeways and the Western isles is available at www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eriskay
Issued By Nigel Scott, Communications Officer, 01851 709389, 01851 706412 (Home), Mobile: 07884 236103
The Statistics The final quantities relating to the Eriskay
Causeway's construction were : Causeway length 1650m, road
length 2750m Total rock in permanent works = 700,000 tonnes
That was made up of 450,000 tonnes from the quarry above
Glendale and 250,000 tonnes from Eriskay where the access
road is being cut. The total cost of construction alone was
planned to be £8,650,000, with the entire project costed
at £9.4 million. There are new approach roads totalling
1.1km on South Uist and Eriskay. Included in the project were
ferry terminals on both Eriskay and Barra for the vehicle
ferry link between the Islands, the last link in north/south
communications between the Islands. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
has put £2 million into the project with £4.1
million coming from the Scottish Executive's Public Transport
Fund and the rest from European Objective 1 (£2.82 million)
and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£500,000). The
causeway to Eriskay was the largest civil engineering project
of its type under way in the United Kingdom in 2000-2001.
It is the latest in a series of fixed links built in the Western
Isles. The causeway carries a two-track road, a new water
main and mains electricity replacing the existing underwater
cable.
12.00 Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrive at Eriskay. Welcome by The Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles, Mr Alexander Matheson OBE and the Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr Alexander A MacDonald.
12.05 Drive to Eriskay Causeway - Cutting of Tape
12.10 Service of Commemoration of The Twin Towers Atrocity in New York on 11 September 2001.
12.15 Opening Ceremony. Unveiling of plaque
12.25 Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex leave for tour of Eriskay
12.40 Buffet Reception in Eriskay Community Hall and Marquee
13.35 Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex depart Eriskay Community Hall
14.00 Earl and Countess of Wessex Arrive at Sgoil Lionacleit playing fields and visit Sgoil Lionacleit to meet participants and office-bearers of the local Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
14.45 Depart for Leverburgh
15.00 Arrive at Leverburgh School Playing Fields. Royal party will proceed to Leverburgh Village Hall for offical opening
15.40 Royal party departs from hall and proceeds to the Leverburgh Home of Rest. Royal Party will be invited to join residents, friends and staff of the Home for a Golden Jubilee Tea at which their Royal Highnesses will be invited to cut a Golden Jubilee Cake.
16.20 Royal Party departs Leverburgh
ENDS
Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
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