Colintraive and Rhubodach Slipways Reconstruction
Project Update
5th December 2018
A time-lapse video of the slipway reconstruction work.
Project Update
18th October 2018
We have now completed the £6 million project to provide those travelling to and from the Isle of Bute with a more resilient ferry service.
Work commenced in June 2017 to reconstruct the slipways at Colintraive and Rhubodach and create a larger vehicle queuing area at Colintraive.
The new slipways were completed in August 2018, and ferries have been successfully operating from them since then. The project then moved into the final stage of demolishing the old slipway at Rhubodach and extending the vehicle queuing area at Colintraive.
The new slipways provide increased flexibility around tide levels, and the phased approach to the construction project meant the ferry service was able to continue to operate to timetable, minimising the impact on passengers during the course of the works.
Ruairidh Campbell, senior civil engineer at CMAL said:
“We have worked hard with the contractor, Raynesway, to deliver a project with minimal disruption to service. We would like to thank passengers and local communities for their patience throughout the works, and hope they find the new slipways and vehicle queuing area a vast improvement, offering a better and more resilient ferry service for Bute.
Project Update
August 27 2018
We have now reached the final phase of the £6 million harbour investment programme.
Work commenced in June 2017 to reconstruct the slipways at Colintraive and Rhubodach and create a larger vehicle queuing area at Colintraive.
The new slipways have now been completed, and the ferry service has successfully started operating from them. This allows the project to move into the final stage: demolishing the old slipway at Rhubodach and completing the vehicle queuing area at Colintraive.
The phased construction project has meant minimal impact on ferry users, allowing the ferry service to operate to timetable. In a move to cause as little disruption as possible, contractors Raynesway secured additional land so ferry traffic did not need to queue on the main road during construction work.
Ruairidh Campbell, Senior Civil Engineer at CMAL said:
“We are pleased to report that the ferries have successfully started operating from the two new slipways without any issues.
“The new slipways will provide islanders with a more resilient ferry service, offering increased flexibility around tide levels. We have worked hard to ensure construction has had as little impact on ferry users as possible, and we are pleased to be moving into the final phase of this project.”
Project Update – December 5
Following successful completion of the temporary slipway at Colintraive the ferry service has now been moved over to operate from it. This allows our Contractor, Raynesway, to start demolishing the old slipway. The new slipway will be built out of mainly precast concrete to ensure its longevity. Work on the new slipway at Rhubodach is also well advanced.
Project Update – December 1
Contractors have completed work on the temporary slipway at Colintraive.
The ferry service is now operating from the new temporary slipway, which allows our contractors, Raynesway, access to the old one in Rhubodach in order to demolish it.
The new slipway, which will be built in its place, will be built mainly of precast concrete to ensure longevity.
Colintraive and Rubodach Slipways
Work started in April 2017 and is scheduled to be complete by summer 2018.
The contract for the works was awarded to Raynesway Ltd after an OJEU tender process.
CMAL and Raynesway Ltd have implemented a phased construction project plan to allow the ferry service to continue to operate to timetable, minimising the impact on ferry users.
A temporary slipway will be constructed at Colintraive while the new slipway is built to the north at Rhubodach. The ferry service will then switch to operate between these two slipways to allow replacement of the Colintraive slipway and demolition of the old Rhubodach slipway. Finally, the temporary slipway will be removed at Colintraive and the vehicle queuing area completed.
Ruairidh Campbell, Senior Civil Engineer at CMAL said:
“We are very conscious of the impact of construction work on local communities and our aim is to keep disruption to a minimum, which is why we have planned a phased project. The meetings are an opportunity for people to find out about the project delivery plan and to raise any questions they may have about the work.
“The work is part of our ongoing programme of harbour upgrades and modifications. The existing slipways have reached the end of their life and the replacement of the slipways will provide a more resilient ferry service, with larger slipways offering more flexibility around tide levels.
“We hope to see as many local people and businesses as possible at the meeting.”
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) hosted a public meeting to update communities on the project to reconstruct the slipways at Colintraive and Rhubodach. A PDF of the presentation made at the public meeting can be downloaded by click here (PDF, 5mb)