MV Coruisk in service as harbour improvements continue
MV CORUISK IN SERVICE AS HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE
CalMac ferry MV Coruisk has started its winter service on the Dunoon route unaffected by Gourock harbour improvement works which continue on schedule.
The harbour works will significantly enhance facilities for regular passengers and will prepare the harbour for the temporary service to Rothesay while improvement works are carried out at Wemyss Bay in the Spring.
"Passengers will notice a difference in the quality of facilities at Gourock long term," said CalMac's Port Manager, Scott Goodwill.
Work includes:
- New steps constructed adjacent to the linkspan to accommodate the Kilcreggan ferry service.
- Shore works to improve pedestrian and vehicle flow around the terminal
- Demolition of redundant steel and timber structures which currently form the seaward frontage to the linkspan approachway
- New steelwork platforms constructed supported on tubular steel piles.
- New tubular steel fender piles and units for ferry berthing
The work is being carried out by port owners Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and is expected to be complete by February 2015.
Wemyss Bay Harbour will close for improvement works on March 2, 2015 for a period of 16 weeks with services to and from Rothesay diverted to Gourock.
CalMac will operate 10 weekday services - 11 on Friday - and nine services at the weekend. Passengers are being offered a 15% discount for the duration of the work.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this temporary closure causes passengers but these improvement will make both ports more resilient and will help make our services more reliable over the long term." said Scott.
The MV Coruisk sails four times daily to enhance the Dunoon service at peak times and also provide additional cover for Argyll Ferries in bad weather.
CMAL held two public meetings on 16 and 18 December to share information about the planned construction works at Wemyss Bay harbour.
Ramsay Muirhead, Head of Civil Engineering at CMAL said: "The planned works are essential to maintain a safe and reliable service to Rothesay.
"We knew local people who use the service regularly would have questions about the work and alternative travel plans, so the meetings were a great opportunity to address their concerns.
"We considered various options to carry out the work and concluded that a complete closure for a temporary period is the best solution to get the work completed quicker. It will ultimately lead to a better service for passengers and ensure we maintain a modern harbour operation."
The presentation from the public meeting and notes covering a Q and A will be published on the CMAL website in the New Year.
Passengers can contact the Customer Care team on 0800 066 5000 for more details about the improvement works and temporary service changes.
Pictures shows: CalMac Port Manager Scott Goodwill (left) checks on progress at Gourock Harbour with site agent Ian Taylor from contractor George Leslie.
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Media contact:
Craig Cowbrough
07887833099