THE new Brodick Ferry Terminal on the Isle of Arran has officially opened.
A plaque commemorating the event was unveiled by Cabinet Minister for Finance and the Constitution, Derek Mackay. The Minister was joined by Kevin Hobbs, chief executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which led delivery of the project.
Works on the £30 million infrastructure project commenced in January 2016 with George Leslie Ltd acting as main contractors and has delivered a new 110-metre two-berth pier; a two-storey terminal building; and an increased marshalling area with six new lanes, offering a combined 895 metres for cars, HGVs and service vehicles; six bus stances; and parking for up to 65 cars.
Derek Mackay said, “I’m delighted to officially open the new terminal and pier at Brodick Harbour, a project that has transformed the facility and will bring real benefits to ferry users. The upgrade will strengthen the harbour’s resilience, allowing a broader range of vessels to berth, and the new terminal building will improve the overall experience for passengers. This project underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing the best possible ferry services for the communities that rely on them and ensuring that our islands remain an attractive and accessible destination for visitors.”
Kevin Hobbs, chief executive, CMAL added, “The new Brodick Ferry Terminal is a fantastic addition to the island’s transport and tourism infrastructure, offering islanders and visitors a more resilient ferry service and a more comfortable and safer travel experience. The opening of the new terminal marks a key milestone in our investment programme for Arran. The new ferry for the Ardrossan to Brodick route, MV Glen Sannox, was launched last year and the new terminal will be a fitting, modern home for this innovative vessel when it enters service. In addition, we have recently undertaken several small upgrade schemes at Lochranza, and have planned works during 2018 at both Lochranza and Claonaig.
“We are committed to an ongoing programme of harbour upgrades and modifications across our network to provide safe and efficient lifeline ferry services to communities around Scotland.”
An in-depth report on the new Brodick Ferry Terminal will appear in the May issue of Project Scotland.
