SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed today’s confirmation that a revised programme of works has been agreed for Uig Harbour. The new programme will see the planned total number of weeks Uig pier will be out of action reduced from 24 weeks to 14 weeks, with ferry services disrupted for six and eight weeks at a time respectively, and spread across two winter timetable periods.
The isles MSP had, along with other community representatives, been raising concerns for a number of months about the severe impact which the original 24-week closure could have on Harris and Uist, particularly after an already challenging year of breakdowns and adverse weather-related cancellations.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:
“I would like to thank the Transport Minister for engaging fully with community representatives on this issue. While nobody welcomes any disruption to lifeline services, I believe this new work timetable is a huge improvement on what was originally proposed.
“I am glad that the Scottish Government has listened to the community and committed the additional investment necessary to help limit the negative impact which the essential work at Uig will have on communities in the Western Isles.”
The first outage will commence on 16 January 2023 until 13 March 2023, and the second outage will commence on 30 October 2023 until 11 December 2023. These changes are being supported by direct investment of £6 million from the Scottish Government.
