Tarbert

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Multi-million-pound Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal building completed

25 January 2023

The new £1.5million ferry terminal building at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides opened to the public this week (23 January 2023).

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which owns the ferry terminal, led the award-winning harbour redevelopment project. The first phase concluded in February 2022, when a new pier, fendering system, and enlarged marshalling area were unveiled. The work was carried out while the lifeline ferry terminal remained operational, causing minimal disruption.

The redevelopment received a Scottish Civil Engineering Marine Infrastructure Award in November 2022.

Phase two saw local contractors Lewis Builders of Stornoway appointed to build the terminal building which will open to the public on Monday (23 January). Passengers will benefit from increased seating and the building will be the first public location in Harris and Lewis to have Changing Places toilet facilities for people with additional needs. The final phase of the project includes removal of the temporary terminal building, completion of the east end of the marshalling area and installation of electric vehicle charging points and a cycle shelter.

Read the full update here.

Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal improvements scoop Engineering award

22 November 2022

Improvements to the ferry terminal at Tarbert (Harris) have won a major engineering award – before the full project is even complete.

The work, led by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), has been awarded the 2022 Scottish Civil Engineering Marine Infrastructure Award.

Phase one of the multi-million-pound upgrade was completed in February 2022, in partnership with principal contractor RJ McLeod Ltd and ferry operator CalMac Ferries Ltd, and with support from consultants Wallace Stone LLP and consenting and environmental specialists AFFRIC Ltd.

The work included a new pier, fendering system, dredging and increased marshalling area, and was completed while the lifeline ferry terminal remained operational.

John Quinn, Senior Civil Engineer at CMAL said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved and is testament to effective collaboration between project partners, stakeholders and the local community. We are committed to an ongoing programme of harbour upgrades so to be recognised for our work at Tarbert is a great honour.

“It was important for us to ensure that ferry operations were able to continue throughout the construction period.”

Phase Two of the project to deliver the new terminal building is currently underway, with completion anticipated later this year.

The Scottish Civil Engineering Awards are managed by the Scottish Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA).

CMAL is delivering significant vessel and harbour investment, backed by a £695 million commitment from the Scottish Government for a five-year period from 2021 to 2026. Plans are underway to deliver 21 new vessels for the fleet and multi-million-pound upgrade of harbour infrastructure over the next 10 years.  More information is online at www.cmassets.co.uk/investment

New terminal building taking shape

14 June 2022

Work to construct a new terminal building at Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal is underway following the completion of the new pier and increased marshalling area earlier this year. The new terminal building is the final stage of the multi-million-pound upgrade project at the harbour.

Local contractors, Lewis Builders of Stornoway, are expected to complete the structure by early 2023.

The external walls and structural frame have been erected, allowing for roofing works to commence. The internal floor screed has been laid, with insulation, plumbing, electrics, and ventilation works progressing.

Once the new terminal building is finished, the ferry operator, CalMac, will move into the facility to allow the temporary building to be removed. The site will be completed in spring 2023 with further car parking, EV charging points and a storage building.

Contract for new terminal building awarded

29 March 2022

A contract has been awarded to local building firm Lewis Builders to construct a new terminal building at Tarbert

The new building will be the final stage in the multi-million-pound upgrade project at Tarbert Ferry Terminal, which recently saw the completion of the new pier and increased marshalling area.

Work to build the new terminal building will begin in spring 2022 and is anticipated to take a year to complete. The new pier is already in use by CalMac, and the upgraded marshalling area has increased vehicle capacity.

New pier at Tarbert (Harris) complete

21 Jan 2022

Work to build a new pier at Tarbert (Harris) has been completed, with vessels now able to berth at the new structure.

The infrastructure works form part of the multi-million pound redevelopment programme at Tarbert and marks the end of phase one of the project.

The main concrete deck and permanent fenders are now in place, and the temporary fendering arrangement, which has been in place since 2019, has been removed. This allows vessels to berth against the permanent fender arrangement on the new pier structure. The temporary stone bund which provided access to the crane and materials during construction has now been removed, and the foundation slab for the new terminal building is complete.

The new roundabout at the main entrance to the ferry terminal is operational, and most of the marshalling area is now complete. There is some minor work still to be carried out on the new seaward footpath and cathodic protection to be installed on the new pier and linkspan support structures, however, this is expected to be completed by the end of February 2022.

Tenders for the new terminal building have also been received and are being assessed with a view to commencing work in spring 2022 and completing building works by spring 2023.

Passengers will continue to utilise the Temporary Terminal Building and will embark and disembark from the linkspan until completion of the new terminal building. Once the new terminal building is in place this will allow removal of the temporary terminal building and completion of the marshalling area.

CMAL is progressing an ambitious plan of investment in Scotland’s ferries and harbours which is part of a £580m commitment from the Scottish Government over the next five years. The programme includes new vessels and multi-million-pound harbour upgrades.

Pier Nearing Completion

05 October 2021

The construction of the new pier at Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal is reaching the final stages and is set to be completed by the end of the year.

Installation of the main pier deck is continuing at pace. The precast concrete deck units are in place to form the main pier shape and support the extensive steel reinforcements being installed prior to pouring concrete to provide strength for the completed pier structure.

All materials needed to finalise the installation have now been delivered. The fender piles are now all in place and installation of the fender pads – the pads protecting the pier structure from vessel impact when berthing – will allow the removal of the temporary fender system and the temporary stone bund that provides access to the crane and materials during construction.

The newly built retaining wall has progressed to the area between the linkspan and new pier. This permits the installation of seabed scour mats that protect the seabed from being washed away by powerful ferry propellers when berthing.

Work to lay the foundation slab for the new terminal building and carpark will begin shortly along with final surfacing of the marshalling area and new roundabout at the main entrance to the ferry terminal.

Construction Taken “Huge Step Forward”

13 May 2021

The new pier at Tarbert (Harris) Ferry Terminal has taken a “huge step forward.”

All the circular steel piles are now in place and the next phase of the upgrade project is ready to begin.

The £14.3 million infrastructure works form part of the redevelopment programme at Tarbert, led by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which owns the ferry terminal.

Construction of the harbour revetment – a sloping embankment which protects the harbour from tidal and wave action – has been completed at the west end of the harbour and the new marshalling area continues to take shape.

The piles have been prepped for the installation of rock anchors, which involves drilling through the piles into rock below the seabed. Installation of concrete matting on the seabed and protective rock revetment at the east end of the harbour will also commence.

Additionally, the large precast concrete deck units, which sit on top of the piles to form the main pier deck, will be delivered to site in readiness for installation.

Installation of New Pier Underway

10 February 2021

The new pier is beginning to take shape at Tarbert Ferry Terminal as part of the £14.3million upgrade project at the harbour. Work is continuing at the harbour, and the island community should be reassured that stringent COVID-19 safety measures are being adhered to.

The demolition of the old pier deck is complete, and work to install piles for the new pier is underway.  The reclamation of the seabed is nearing completion, allowing the additional marshalling area to take shape. Installation of essential services, such as electricity and lighting, is also taking place, and following granting of temporary planning permission, work has begun to reinstall the EV charger in the car park opposite the Harris Hotel.

The revised expected completion date for the harbour redevelopment project is autumn 2021, with the new terminal building due for completion in autumn 2022 under a separate project and contract.

 

Newsletters

Our contractor on site at Tarbert, RJ McLeod, has provided a series of newsletters which provide an update on the current work status, as well as future planned works.

 

Key Project Milestones Made

15 October 2020

Following the 12-week construction shut down caused by the COVID-19 lockdown implemented in March, the harbour project is making steady progress while maintaining COVID-19 safety measures.

Key project milestones include demolition of the old terminal building; construction of a new temporary terminal building, where CalMac is now operating from; ongoing demolition of the old pier and reconstruction of the new one; installation of temporary fenders to allow vessels to berth throughout the construction period; reinstatement of the pontoon area following completion of the extensive dredging operation: ongoing reclamation of land for additional marshalling area; and ongoing installation of essential services.

Construction restarted at Tarbert in mid-June under the Scottish Government’s guidance for the construction industry.  The appointed contractor, RJ McLeod, returned to site and, and is operating under phase four of the six-phase Scottish Government construction guidance.

A revised delivery date has been established because of the COVID-19 lockdown and the expected completion date for the harbour redevelopment project is autumn 2021.  The new terminal building is due for completion in autumn 2022 under a separate project and contract.

 

Construction Work To Restart

31 August 2020

Construction works restarted at Tarbert Ferry Terminal on 29 June 2020 following the COVID-19 closure, and are being undertaken in accordance with all industry and Scottish Government guidance, which is reviewed regularly by the project team.

All dredging works have been completed, and the pontoons are currently being reinstated.  The old terminal building has been demolished, and rock infilling and construction works for the new marshalling area along the shorefront is ongoing.  The temporary terminal building is now up and running, and all Calmac operations will run from this building until works are completed.  All ferry services will operate as normal during the construction works.

Due to the impact of the coronavirus shutdown we anticipate the pier and marshalling area will be completed by autumn 2021, followed by construction of the new terminal building by Autumn 2022.

 

Work Ceased Onsite

26 March 2020

On 26 March 2020, and in line with Scottish Government guidelines, construction works ceased onsite at Tarbert (Harris).

The contractors, RJ McLeod, secured all site offices and plant equipment and left site on 25 March, while the  dredging sub-contractor left site on 26 March. Generator fuelling and emergency response arrangements are in place in case of any issues occurring on site.

RJ McLeod continue to work on project planning in preparation for work recommencing on site when COVID-19 restrictions are eased and/or lifted.

 

Public Meeting Held

21 October 2019

A public meeting will be held at Tarbert community centre to update island residents on the programme of upgrade work as the contractor, RJ McLeod, begins preparatory work on-site.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 October, 4.00pm to 7.00pm.  Individuals are invited to drop in at any time during the meeting.

Representatives from CMAL and RJ McLeod will attend the meeting to offer information on construction work and answer questions.

Work is expected to be completed in spring 2021.  CalMac will continue to operate ferry services during the works.