Welcome For Western Isles Ferry Facilities Boost |
18 November 2002 |
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed announcements from the Scottish Executive this week which have given a major £835,000 boost for the Comhairle’s ferry infrastructure. Through HITRANS, the Comhairle was successful in a bid to the Scottish Executive’s Public Transport Fund for £425,000 for improvements to waiting facilities at Lochmaddy Pier whilst the Comhairle received a further boost with the announcement of £410,000 for overnight berthing facilities at Leverburgh. Vice-Convener Roddy Murray said: “This is great news for inter-island travellers and will provide significant improvements for both business travel and tourism. This money goes a long way to putting in place the funding for improved facilities at Lochmaddy and Leverburgh. The combined total costs of these projects is £1.2m and the Scottish Executive has allocated £835k. We will now be seeking to complete the funding package at an early stage". Chairman of Transportation Norman A. Macdonald said: “Once the funding packages are complete the Comhairle will move forward in developing and improving facilities at Lochmaddy and Leverburgh for the benefit of the travelling public”. The proposals for Leverburgh include overnight ferry berthing facilities, improvements to the breakwater and and improved shelter and landscaping works. Local Councillor Morag Munro said: “I am delighted with this news. Leverburgh has been needing this boost. Whilst some work has been undertaken over the years by the Comhairle this will enable much needed improvements to be carried out”. Proposed improvements at Lochmaddy will include a new 24 hour waiting room, two bus bays, a covered walkway, extension of the vehicle marshalling area and an extension to the existing car park. Cllr. Donald Maclean said: “This is good news for Lochmaddy
and for the Western Isles and I look forward to the complete funding
package being secured and work starting at an early stage”. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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