Praise for Corran Ferry Crews

Staff on the Corran Ferry, which links Nether Lochaber to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula at Ardgour, have been praised for their response to the local emergency when the A 830 Fort William  - Mallaig road was closed due to chemical spillage near Corpach.
 
Normally, the ferry would finish for the day at 9.30 pm.
 
However, the crew continued working until 10 pm when other off-duty staff volunteered to take over and work through the night to clear the backlog of traffic at Nether Lochaber and Ardgour.
 
At one time, the queues extended to two miles at each side of the ferry, with the queues abating by midnight.
 
Neil Gillies, Director of Transport Environmental and Community Services for The Highland Council, said: “The crews deserve the highest praise for their immediate and effective response to this local emergency.  Their dedication and commitment is recognised by the Council and the local community they serve.”
 
Mr Gillies also paid tribute to his emergency planning team and road gritting team, who played their part in easing the disruption caused by the road closure, which happened when a lorry shed its load of dangerous chemicals on the A 830 road near Corpach.
 
Scotland TranServ spokesperson said "As a result of this closure of A830 trunk road, contingency plans were implemented which slightly delayed our planned gritting operations in the trunk roads in Lochaber.  As part of that contingency plan Highland Council, in good partnering working relationships, assisted with treating the A830 road."
 
The Corran Ferry is the only vehicular ferry operated by the Council.