Uig Harbour Upgrades - Community Consultation - April 2022
Uig Harbour Upgrades Community Consultation - April 2022
Update 17 March 2022 - Read our latest update on the Uig Harbour Closure
Background
Infrastructure upgrades are being undertaken by The Highland Council at Uig Harbour which will result in the council closing the harbour for 24 weeks (10 October 2022 to 27 March 2023).
Purpose of Session
CalMac are presenting options which have been considered following the first round of community consultations in December 2021 and the recommended service options to be implemented during the summer and winter period of the closure.
Uig Harbour Closure - Community Feedback
Following the first round of consultations a number of alternative service continuity options were proposed:
MV Hebrides to :
Provide a freight & passenger service between Lochboisdale & Oban
Provide a freight only service between Oban & Lochboisdale
Provide a freight & passenger service between Lochmaddy & Oban
Provide a freight & passenger service between Ullapool, Tarbert & Lochmaddy
MV LOTI to
Provide a freight & passenger service between Mallaig, Lochmaddy & Tarbert
Provide a daily service between Lochboisdale, Armadale, Lochboisdale, Mallaig & Lochboisdale
Sail between a variation of Lochboisdale, Armadale & Oban
MV Pentalina to be chartered to service Arran and release MV Caledonian Isles to serve Stornoway
Divert the Barra sailings via Lochboisdale to provide extra capacity
MV Glen Sannox or MV Caledonian Isles to be deployed as a second ferry between Stornoway - Ullapool.
Following the first round of consultations a number of alternative service continuity options were proposed. The following options have been considered and discounted:
Option | Rationale |
|---|---|
MV Hebrides to provide a freight & passenger service between Lochboisdale & Oban | Not feasible as: There is limited marshalling area capacity for MV Hebrides freight volumes at Oban any additional freight at this port may result in safety concerns. MV Hebrides can only berth at Oban No 2, two timetabled CalMac services already operate to this berth restricting berth availability at Oban and therefore there is less flexibility for time changes and taking advantage of weather windows. |
MV Hebrides to provide a freight only service between Oban & Lochboisdale | Not feasible as: There is limited marshalling area capacity for MV Hebrides freight volumes at Oban any additional freight at this port would result in safety concerns. • MV Hebrides can only berth at Oban No 2, two services already operate to this berth so timetable constraints impact the time window for berthing and departing in Oban and therefore there is less flexibility for time changes and taking advantage of weather windows. No overnight berth availability at Oban berths including Northern Lighthouse Board. A freight only service would significantly restrict non-commercial traffic to Uist as the only alternative service is Lochboisdale - Mallaig |
MV Hebrides to provide a freight & passenger service between Lochmaddy & Oban | Not feasible as: There is limited marshalling area capacity for MV Hebrides freight volumes at Oban any additional freight at this port may result in safety concerns. MV Hebrides can only berth at Oban No 2, two timetabled CalMac services already operate to this berth restricting berth availability at Oban and therefore there is less flexibility for time changes and taking advantage of weather windows. The length of passage time (6h 10m) is likely to be unsuitable for hauliers and wider community. |
MV Hebrides to provide a freight & passenger service between Ullapool, Tarbert & Lochmaddy | Due to length of day required sailing between three ports, vessel would be required to berth overnight at Ullapool some nights per week which is not possible as there is no berth availability at Ullapool overnight. |
MV LOTI to provide a freight & passenger service between Mallaig, Lochmaddy & Tarbert | Not possible as this option provides an extended passage time between ports and reduces service levels that could be offered. The length of passage time (6h) is likely to be unsuitable for hauliers and wider community. |
MV LOTI to provide a daily service between Lochboisdale - Armadale - Lochboisdale - Mallaig - Lochboisdale | Not possible as there is no berth available at Armadale as MV Loch Fyne and MV Coruisk operate back-to-back service during summer. |
MV LOTI to sail between a variation of Lochboisdale, Armadale & Oban | Not possible as there is no berth available at Armadale as MV Loch Fyne and MV Coruisk operate a back-to-back during the summer. |
MV Glen Sannox or MV Caledonian Isles to be deployed as a second ferry between Stornoway - Ullapool. | Not possible as update from Fergusons Marine Port Glasgow suggests MV Glen Sannox delivery now expected between March & May 2023. |
Divert the Barra sailings via Lochboisdale to provide extra capacity | Not possible as the MV Isle of Lewis is too long for the pier and draught it too deep to come alongside. Therefore the vessel is unable to berth at Lochboisdale. |
Uig Harbour Closure - Proposed Service Model
Due to expected capacity and freight volumes over summer, the following have been identified as the most feasible options and will support the community during the closure of Uig/Tarbert, pending approval by Transport Scotland: Summer
Core Service Option
MV Hebrides operates one return per day Ullapool - Lochmaddy (extended passage time of 4h 30m)
No service will be provided between Ullapool - Tarbert • Tarbert traffic will be redirected to Ullapool - Stornoway service (capacity volumes have been assessed and are considered feasible)
Supplementary Services (subject to TS approval)
Shuttle buses to transport passengers between Tarbert - Stornoway/Uig - Ullapool (if required)
A foot passenger ferry to provide a daily return service between Uig - Tarbert/Lochmaddy.
Charter MV Pentalina (pending condition assessment/commercial agreements)
Winter
Core Service Option
MV Hebrides operates one return per day Ullapool - Lochmaddy (extended passage time of 4h 30m)
No service will be provided between Ullapool - Tarbert
Tarbert traffic will be redirected to Ullapool - Stornoway service (capacity volumes have been assessed and are considered feasible)
Supplementary Services (subject to TS approval)
Shuttle buses to transport passengers between Tarbert - Stornoway/Uig - Ullapool (if required)
Increased frequency on Lochboisdale - Mallaig service (pending fleet overhaul plans)
One return sailings, 5 days per week. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday)
Two return sailings, 2 times per week (Monday & Saturday)
A foot passenger ferry provide a return service between Uig - Tarbert/Lochmaddy (two days/week)
MV Arrow may be chartered to provide freight service between Stornoway - Ullapool
MV Pentalina could be chartered (pending condition assessment/commercial agreements)
MV Hebrides (Lochmaddy - Ullapool):10 - 23 October & Winter 2022/23
MV Hebrides (Lochmaddy - Ullapool)
Day | Lochmaddy Depart | Ullapool Arrive | Ullapool Depart | Lochmaddy Arrive |
Monday - Saturday | 0730 | 1200 | 1300 | 1730 |
Sunday | 0830 | 1300 | 1400 | 1830 |
This timetable considers MV Loch Seaforth's timetable and berth availability at Ullapool, and the requirement for MV Hebrides to return to Lochmaddy by 1730 each evening.
MV LOTI (Lochboisdale - Mallaig) Summer 2022 Timetable*
Day | Lochboisdale Depart | Mallaig Arrive | Mallaig Depart | Lochboisdale Arrive |
Monday & Saturday | 0545 | 0915 | 0955 | 1325 |
| 1400 | 1730 | 1800 | 2130 |
Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sun | 0940 | 1310 | 1350 | 1720 |
*Pending fleet overhaul plans. The service is expected to revert to a daily return service to Oban when LOTI is in overhaul.
Uig Harbour Closure - Service Continuity
Resilience of Services
Weather is a significant factor in delivering ferry services. As such any periods of adverse weather or conditions may require amendments to timetables as with normal services.
Planning
Lochboisdale - Mallaig sailings are expected to be busier than usual throughout the closure, customers who regularly travel on this route are advised to plan their journey in advance.
Commercial Bookings
Limited commercial bookings will be available on MV Hebrides and MV LOTI for the duration of the closure.
Customer Requirements
CalMac will advertise the limitations on service and passengers planning to travel are made aware of the closures. School Trips CalMac will liaise with The Highland Council and CnES during the closure to try and accommodate any school trips planned during this period.
Feedback
We are keen to hear your feedback and seek to understand:
Requirement for shuttles bus/coach connections • Requirement for foot passenger service, how regularly is it required and between which locations? E.g. Uig - Tarbert or Uig - Lochmaddy.
Next Steps
CalMac will make a recommendation to Transport Scotland regarding proposed service model
Once agreed CalMac will inform community and implement plans
Regular updates will be provided to community and will be published on service updates webpage
Further Questions/Contacts
If you have any further queries or feedback, please contact a member of the Project Team.
Darrell Broom - SkyeTriangleUpgrades@calmac.co.uk
Danielle Neutgens - Danielle.Neutgens@calmac.co.uk