FUNDING IN PLACE FOR BRODICK FERRY TERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT

Brodick Harbour Redevelopment Group is pleased to announce that funds have been secured to move forward with the redevelopment works at Brodick Ferry Terminal as a single phased project, due for completion towards the end of 2016.

Following extensive redevelopment of the ferry terminal, plans are in place for a new pier, an increased marshalling area through reclaimed land and a modern terminal building, with bus stances and parking facilities.  The anticipated cost of the project is £18 million and raising the entire sum needed to fund the delivery of all necessary works in one phase has proved challenging.   Consideration was given to splitting the works into two phases, with the terminal building being redeveloped in the second stage.  However, this would have resulted in significant disruption to operations for visitors, the local community and businesses over several years.  There was also a risk that phase two might not be delivered.

The Brodick Harbour Redevelopment Group was established in June 2013 to secure sufficient funds to deliver the new infrastructure in a single phase.  The Group includes CMAL, Transport Scotland, North Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Visit Arran and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and has worked in partnership to secure the funding to deliver the right solution for the project.  A contribution of £1.2 million has been received from North Ayrshire Council and SPT has been working to deliver a proposed £1 million contribution to support the project as part of its capital programme (this is subject to its Partnership approval later this year).  The balance of the funding will come from Transport Scotland and CMAL.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

“I welcome this funding agreement between key partners that will now allow this exciting redevelopment of Brodick Harbour to get underway in earnest.

“The project will see the harbour transformed.  The new pier will allow a wider range of vessels to berth at the harbour, whilst the new terminal building will improve the passenger experience with new facilities, parking and bus stances. The funding agreement also means the project will be delivered in one phase.

“As set out in our Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, The Scottish Government is committed to supporting and improving ferry services around Scotland. This is the latest improvement for communities on Arran, following on from the planned introduction of RET fares from October 2014 and increased sailings over the summer period.”

The Group is still pursuing other potential funding streams to further enhance the project to successful completion and delivery.  In particular, an application to the Coastal Communities Fund has been submitted and recently passed stage 1 of that process.  Given the scale of the economic impact of the project to the Isle of Arran, CMAL is optimistic of success.

Tom Docherty, CEO at CMAL commented:

“This is an important project for CMAL and the local communities and we are delighted that the work will proceed as originally planned, with as little as possible disruption to island life.  I look forward to working with our funding partners and watching the work progress over the next two years.”

North Ayrshire Councillor John Bruce said:

“The announcement that all the work will be done in one phase is exactly what we were hoping for when the Council agreed to make a significant financial contribution of £1.2m to the scheme.

Councillor Bruce, who is Chairman of the Brodick Harbour Redevelopment Group, added: “Arran is on course for a ferry service and harbour which is fit for the 21st century. This is an absolute necessity if we are to promote the social and economic infrastructure of the island and encourage young families to come and live here.”

Following some challenges with the award of the ground investigation contract and the subsequent delay to the project the revised key delivery milestones are:-

• Ground investigation – summer 2014
• Tender process commences – late autumn 2014
• Contract award – spring/summer 2015
• Estimated construction period – 15 months

Media enquiries to Christina Kelly at Golley Slater:
ckelly@golleyslter.co.uk / 0141 204 7800 / 07875 881 955

Notes to Editors

• CMAL own property at piers and harbours at more than 24 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better facilities.

• In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL own 32 ferries, which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides.

• CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder.

• For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk