Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has completed the £1 million comprehensive upgrade of the Grade A listed building that forms the Wemyss Bay Ferry Terminal. The existing timber walkway, ticket office and store facilities have all been refurbished as part of a £6 million investment to secure a safe, efficient and reliable ferry terminal and service.

The building is over 100 years old and is a prominent wrought iron and timber clad structure with a slate and glass roof. All defective timbers were replaced on the external and internal walls, including the concealed structural timbers, which form each of the 44 timber bays. The main structural frame of the walkway is constructed from a number of wrought iron trusses that are supported off concealed wrought iron columns. All of the concealed and exposed wrought iron structure has been repaired, cleaned and redecorated, including the columns, trusses and wrought iron lateral restraints. All downpipes and guttering systems have been replaced and the glazed roof lights were cleaned.

Additional work to the exterior of the terminal started on 1st October 2015 for a period of around 24 weeks and includes removal and subsequent reinstatement of the vehicle linkspan, demolition and re-construction of the existing 1970s load restricted pier roundhead, renewal of pier fendering, installation of corrosion protection to the pier and dredging to the west and south of the pier. The nature of this work means the ferry terminal will be closed for the duration and is expected to re-open on completion of all work before Easter 2016.

During the closure of Wemyss Bay ferry terminal, a temporary service to Rothesay will be available from the neighbouring port at Gourock. The operator, CalMac Ferries Limited will advise customers of service timetable in due course.

CMAL’s Director of Harbours, Lorna Spencer said:

“We’re delighted that the work has been completed to refurbish the listed building at Wemyss Bay and restore it to its former elegance from Edwardian times in the traditional Caledonian Railway colours. The work forms part of our overall programme of harbour improvements to promote and facilitate modern harbour and ferry operations around the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.”


Categories: Piers and harbours
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