Coll and Tiree linkspan replacement

New linkspan installed at Tiree

14th March 2020

A new linkspan has been installed at Tiree Ferry Terminal and the ferry service will return to normal on Saturday 14 March.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has completed the project and the linkspan will return to operation three days ahead of the original schedule, despite a four-day delay to the project following severe storms across Scotland.

The original closure period from 24 February to 17 March was postponed to 28 February to 21 March due to the impact on ferry services reaching the island. CMAL and Calmac decided to delay the closure to allow the delivery of essential goods and supplies.

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 was renewed as part of a £3.7 million project to replace the linkspans at both Coll and Tiree ferry terminals. The linkspan at Coll was installed in November 2019.

Lee Rankin, civil engineering project manager at CMAL, said:

“Despite a delay to the start of the project due to severe weather and sea conditions, we have managed to make up for lost time through a focused work schedule and hard work. The linkspan is now back in operation several days ahead of our original timescale. I’m sure islanders will welcome the early return of their vital ferry service.

“The new linkspan will help improve the long-term resilience of infrastructure at Tiree. We thank the local community for their patience during the closure period, and we hope they experience the benefits of our investment in the harbour facilities.”

 

Presentations and Q&A

27th September 2019

Thank you to everyone who attended the public drop-in sessions on 2nd and 3rd September.  A copy of the presentation material from CMAL and CalMac is available to read:

An updated Q&A is also available:

 

Public meetings in Coll and Tiree

20th August 2019

Two public drop-in sessions have been arranged to update communities on the planned linkspan replacement project, including linkspan closure dates and alternative service arrangements which will be put in place by CalMac throughout the duration of the upgrades.

The meetings will take place:

Coll

  • An Cridhe, Coll Community Centre, Coll
    Monday 2nd September, 4.00pm – 7.30pm

Tiree

  • An Talla Community Hall, Tiree
    Tuesday 3rd September, 4.00pm – 7.30pm

People can drop-in at any point during the meetings and speak to representatives from CMAL, CalMac, consulting engineer, Mott MacDonald and the appointed contractor, George Leslie Limited.

 

Updated stakeholder Q&A

20th August 2019

We have amended the Q&A with some updates after a review by us and CalMac:

 

Linkspan closure dates confirmed

10th July 2019

Dates for the closure of the linkspans at Coll and Tiree ferry terminals have been confirmed:

  • The Coll linkspan will be out of service from Monday 28th October 2019 and will be back in service on Thursday 21st November 2019.
  • The Tiree linkspan will be out of service from Monday 24th February 2020 and will be back in service on Tuesday 17th March 2020.  The linkspan closure date for Tiree has been brought forward by two weeks from an initial timeline to provide more contingency ahead of the start of the summer 2020 timetable.

During the linkspan closure periods, vehicles will be unable to travel to the islands.  Throughout this period CalMac will operate a passenger only service, supplemented by a third party freight vessel service for transportation of essential goods.  More details of the alternative services will be communicated by CalMac in due course.

 

Public meeting Q&A

15th May 2019

Below is an update on December’s Q&A from our public meetings. Some points are still “work in progress” and we will provide further updates in the coming weeks.

 

Public meeting Q&A

7th January 2019

A copy of the questions and answers discussed at the public meetings in Coll and Tiree in December 2018 is available to view:

 

Community feedback

5th December 2018

CMAL is inviting communities to share their feedback on the meeting and plans for the linkspan refurbishment. If you would like to contribute please complete this online form

 

Public meetings in Coll and Tiree

5th December 2018

Public meetings took place in Coll and Tiree on 3rd and 4th December to update communities on plans for the linkspan replacement projects at both ferry terminals.  The drop-in sessions were attended by representatives from CMAL, Calmac and engineering consultants, Mott MacDonald.  The presentation material shared at the meetings is available:

Coll

Tiree

 

New linkspans for Coll and Tiree

CMAL is planning to replace the linkspan decks at the ferry terminals at Coll and Tiree.  £3.7 million funding has been secured and, following a public sector procurement exercise, construction contractor George Leslie Limited has been appointed to undertake the works.  It is anticipated the work will take place in late autumn 2019 at Coll and early spring 2020 at Tiree.

Public meetings are being held early December 2018 to share details of the planned arrangements for the linkspan deck replacements. Communities are invited to attend their local meeting:

  • An Cridhe, Coll Community Centre, Coll
    Monday 3rd December, 4.00pm – 7.30pm
  • An Talla Community Hall, Tiree
    Tuesday 4th December, 4.00pm – 7.30pm

Read the news release for more details.