NEW LINKSPAN OPENS AT COLL FERRY TERMINAL
A new linkspan has been installed at Coll Ferry Terminal and the ferry service has returned to normal following a three-week linkspan closure period.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has replaced the linkspan as part of its ongoing programme of harbour upgrades and improvements. The linkspan deck had reached the end of its serviceable life and needed to be replaced. It is part of a £3.7 million project to replace the linkspans at both Coll and Tiree ferry terminals.
Operations were handed back to Calmac two days ahead of schedule following a successful work programme. Commissioning and testing of the linkspan, including a load test, was conducted and the first vessel ramp landed on the new structure on Tuesday 19th November.
Brian Sydney, senior civil engineer at CMAL, said:
“As linkspans and other harbour infrastructure reach the end of their service life, there is increased risk and regularity of repairs and technical issues. Through this project, we will improve the long-term resilience of infrastructure at Coll.
“We thank the local community for their patience during the outage period, and we hope they experience the benefits of our investment in the harbour facilities.”
The linkspan at Tiree Ferry Terminal will be replaced in early 2020. It will be taken out of operation on Monday 24th February 2020 and is scheduled to be back in service on Tuesday 17th March 2020, subject to weather and tidal conditions. Vehicles will be unable to travel to Tiree throughout this period and CalMac will operate a passenger only service, supplemented by a third party freight vessel service for transportation of essential goods.
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