The continued redevelopment of Arnish Point on the Isle of Lewis has taken another step forward.  Work has started on the redevelopment of the quay, with the £1.7 million contract for the project being awarded to RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd.

Enhancement works are being carried out over the coming months, which will allow for greater flexibility in the types and sizes of vessels that can use the facility.

Works include the strengthening and fendering of the existing concrete quay structure and removal of one of the existing steel skeletal barge mooring bumpers.  The quay deck and berthing face will also be extended by a further 50 metres.  In addition, new mooring bollards, ladders, lighting and lifebelts will also be provided to meet current health and safety requirements. 

When complete the quay will have an increased load-bearing capacity to accommodate the on and off-loading of large and heavy structures like the mono-pile foundations - required to install wind towers in off-shore sites - that are being manufactured by Cambrian Engineering's Arnish operation.

This latest development at Arnish marks a further milestone in the £12 million redevelopment of the former oil fabrication site.  The project is being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) with support from the European Regional Development Fund.  It is expected that the site will eventually support over 100 jobs.

This particular element of Arnish Point's redevelopment has received European financial support with an award of £600,000 from the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme.

Explaining how the work will be carried out, RJ McLeod's site agent Ian Hay said: "The piling works and demolition of the existing buffers will be carried out by Dew Pitchmastic of Oldham who will be using local welding and fabrication company Specialist Welding Services Ltd, to remove the buffer and prepare piling gates and so on.

"Once the piling is complete we hope to use local steelfixers, joiners and general operatives to construct the one metre thick concrete deck, with work due to be competed in June next year."

Chief executive of WIE, Donnie Macaulay said: "The upgrade of the quay at Arnish is an integral part of the site's redevelopment.  Our aim is to create a multi-user industrial estate with a particular focus on renewable energy and we therefore have to ensure that the quay is able to cope with the large vessels associated with the transportation of wind farm components."