Western Isles Council is on the verge of scrapping the £10million construction of a new pier at Lochmaddy in North Uist after the lead contractor failed to return following the Covid-19 lockdown.
The main contractor, Irish-based L&M Keating, initially suspended work when restrictions were first introduced.
They returned briefly in July, but left their sites at Lochmaddy and a Greenock drydock, where a steel-structured cassion for the pier is being built, not long afterwards.
Despite saying they would return again in August, there was no show – sparking concern how this would impact island-based subcontractors and suppliers of materials.
Options as to how the project could continue were considered and evaluated by the council’s project delivery team and presented yesterday to councillors.
They agreed the chief executive take “any actions necessary to safeguard the interests” of the council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar), including the potential “termination of the contract with L&M Keating Ltd and the re-tendering of the works”.
Councillor Uisdean Robertson, chairman of the transportation and infrastructure committee, said their understanding was L&M Keating remained solvent, adding: “It is disappointing for the Comhairle and, particularly, the community and business sectors in North Uist that we find ourselves in this position.
“It is however important that we continue with the delivery of the project whilst protecting the positions of the Comhairle and Transport Scotland (who are providing funding) as much as possible and it is clear that we may now have to explore alternative avenues for delivering the infrastructure improvements.
“An additional concern for us has been the impact of the current situation on the local supply chain, including island-based subcontractors and suppliers of materials and other services.
“I am however confident that the mechanism now in place within the administration of the contract will minimise the impact on these businesses as much as possible”.
However, it is feared re-tendering may delay the project – which began in January – by around a year.
The work is part of an overall modernisation of harbours forming part of the Skye triangle infrastructure project, involving upgrades of ports at Lochmaddy, Tarbert and Uig.
The improvements are designed to prepare for the delivery of new CalMac vessels, which themselves are at the centre of a controversy, as they were due to be constructed at the Ferguson Marine base on the Clyde – but these are experiencing long delays and increase in costs following Scottish Government intervention.
“The Scottish Government remains committed to the Skye Triangle Infrastructure programme and harbour upgrades at Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Uig.
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “The Lochmaddy Pier project is led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and we will continue to work with them, and other members of the multi-agency Skye Triangle Infrastructure Improvement Programme Steering Group, to establish a way forward that meets the needs of all programme stakeholders and communities.”
Attempts were made to contact Keating Construction, also known as L&M Keating, in Ireland, without success.
