In February 2022, George Leslie were awarded the £15.1m contract by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to upgrade Lochmaddy Ferry Terminal (Isle of North Uist) with a pier extension and strengthening along with upgrading the sub-station, power, lighting, potable water, drainage etc. to the ferry terminal to suit the new terminal layout and allow bunkering and power supply to the new vessel.
Following the announcement in 2015 of the decision to replace the MV Hebrides, the Comhairle, as the harbour authority for Lochmaddy Pier, have been working with Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), CalMac Ferries Ltd and The Highland Council in the identification and delivery of infrastructure improvements required at the port and at Tarbert (Harris) and Uig (Skye).
The project forms a key part of the programme of infrastructure improvements on the Skye Triangle ferry routes with improvement works recently completed at Tarbert, Isle of Harris, and ongoing at Uig, Isle of Skye.
George Leslie was responsible for completing all civil engineering works for the harbour upgrade project, including the extension and strengthening of the pier, upgraded fendering, seabed dredging land reclamation and extended marshalling and parking areas.
Councillor Uisdean Robertson, chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s transportation and infrastructure committee, said, “The construction and moving of the caisson from Belfast to its permanent location at Lochmaddy Pier has been a technically complex and operationally challenging operation. The Comhairle is pleased that the operation has now been successfully completed”
Upgrade of Lochmaddy Ferry Terminal (Isle of North Uist), comprising the following principal elements:
Dredging – To increase seabed depths adjacent to the ferry berth and linkspan, and on the rocky foreshore to the north of the berth to allow increased space for manoeuvring in strong cross winds;
Reclamation – To increase the capacity and functionality of the marshalling areas;
Temporary Works – To allow continued operation of the ferry service, temporary fenders will be required on the south berthing face;
Demolition – Lowering of the existing roundhead to match the existing and new deck levels;
Pier Extension – Off site construction of a reinforced concrete caisson, including fixtures and fittings, preparing a foundation and sinking the caisson onto the foundation; Construction of a reinforced concrete slab over the caisson after filling with rock fill;
Fendering – Upgraded fendering system to the new and existing pier structure;
Services – Upgrade of the sub-station, power, lighting, potable water, drainage etc. to the ferry terminal to suit new terminal layout and allow bunkering and power supply to the new vessel.
The upgrade at Lochmaddy included extending the pier using a 3,200-tonne concrete structure that towed 235 miles (378km) by sea from Belfast.
The 33m (108ft) caisson was named Block Maddy – Bloca Loch nam Madadh in Gaelic – following a competition for local school children.
The newly extended pier was formally opened by Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop during a ceremony in February 2024.
