Work has started on the first phase of the redevelopment of the Arnish yard, on the outskirts of Stornoway. 

Following a competitive tendering process, the first three contracts for upgrading the former fabrication workshop have been awarded to Alex Murray Construction Ltd.  The Stornoway-based firm moved people and plant onto the site yesterday (Monday 25th November) where they will carry out demolition work and clearance of sub-standard structures, improvements to the cladding and drainage fittings, adaptation of internal fixtures and improvements to the site surface around the main building.

Commenting on securing the contacts - which are worth £586,000 - Alex Murray said: "We are very pleased to have been awarded these contracts and to be participating in such an important project for the area."

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) are investing £7.35 million upgrading the former oil fabrication yard.  Arnish has been idle since the closure of Lewis Offshore in 1999 but this massive investment by HIE and WIE will provide the Western Isles economy with a much needed boost.

Cambrian Engineering, manufacturers of wind turbine towers and foundations for the offshore renewable energy sector, is set to move into the revamped workshop in the New Year.  The Welsh firm has already secured financial assistance worth £2.6 million from WIE and will create around 65 jobs for the island.

Donnie Macaulay, chief executive at WIE said: "Our vision of transforming Arnish from a redundant oil fabrication yard into a multi-user industrial estate is beginning to be realised with work starting on the main building this week.

"Further packages for services and plant within the main building are to be awarded shortly with completion expected early in the New Year.  General infrastructure improvements throughout the overall site will continue into mid-2003."

"The timetable for upgrading works is very tight but we hope to see Cambrian Engineering on site by February of next year."