Normal service to be resumed at Corran Ferry on 17 December
The Highland Council is on target to resume a normal service at the Corran Ferry in West Lochaber from Friday 17 December following a major refurbishment of the Nether Lochaber slipway.
The MV Corran returns to service on this date to replace the Maid of Glencoul, which has been used during the remedial works at Nether Lochaber, where a temporary pier has ensured continued service.
There will be a three-hour loss of service between 2 – 5 pm on Sunday 19 December to allow for essential works in dismantling the temporary pier.
Over the last few weeks, the contractor, George Leslie Ltd, has been working 24 hours per day 7 days per week with 2 shifts each day to keep on target. A novel precast slab design incorporated into the insitu concrete at the remote end of the slipway will ensure good quality durable concrete on the surface of the slipway which is mostly below low water and will also save time for curing the concrete in the latter weeks of the contract.
Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of the Council’s Administration and a local councillor, said the Council appreciated the patience of the ferry user public during the period of the contract and was indebted to all the Community Councils who have supported the development and planning of the works.
He said “I am delighted that the innovative Spud Leg Barge has succeeded in providing an alternative temporary berth for the Maid of Glencoul and although much of this is down to the dedication of the site contracting team it is also due to the skill and experience of the ferrymen who know the waters well and who have made an enormous effort to keep the ferry running in a safe and efficient manner. It is notable that the ferrymen’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and at the Council’s recent Quality Awards Ceremony, they picked up the award for Innovation of the Year.”
Sam MacNaughton, Head of Transport and Infrastructure, said the temporary pier (Spud Leg barge) supplied by John Scott of JST Ltd had operated admirably with the ferry berthing smoothly throughout the contract. The Council was fortunate in having an experienced team delivering the contract with Ian Taylor of G Leslie Ltd., Northwest Marine, the diving sub-contractor, Colin Campbell of Campbell Marine along with Kevin Silverton the Council’s Resident Engineer, who has extensive experience on marine contracts throughout the West Highlands.
The timetable for the return to normal operations is:
The contractor plans to have the site completely reinstated before Christmas although there may be some minor works outstanding to be carried out in the New Year but this will not affect the operation of the ferry.
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