Breedon Hebrides host Scotland’s First Minister

Visit by Alex Salmond marks official start of £9.5 million Stornoway ferry terminal upgrade

SCOTLAND’s First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, was the guest of Breedon Hebrides yesterday during an official visit to Stornoway Harbour. His visit marked the start of the £9.5 million works contract awarded to BAM Nuttall and Breedon to upgrade Stornoway’s ferry terminal. The work is in preparation for the arrival of a new £42 million ferry in September this year.

Main contractors on the project are BAM Nuttall and Breedon are carrying out the rock-fill, armour-stone removal and reinstatement work at the terminal, together with car park resurfacing, roundabout construction and duct and drainage works.

Breedon Hebrides have a long association with the terminal, having undertaken (under their former name, John Fyfe) the original ferry terminal reclamation and external works in 1996.

Breedon will be on site for 21 weeks, employing around 25 people on the project. They will supply some 60,000 tonnes of stone, 3,500 tonnes of asphalt and 1,500 cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete.

The First Minister said: ‘This important work represents this Government’s continuing support to our island communities through infrastructure investment, improving access to wider Scottish, EU and international markets.

‘We will continue to work with Scotland’s island communities to identify additional measures to help support the valuable contribution these communities make to Scotland’s economy and culture.’

Commenting on Mr Salmond’s visit, Alan Mackenzie, chief executive of Breedon Aggregates Scotland, said: ‘It was a great honour to host the First Minister at the start of works on a major project for the Hebrides.

‘We’re proud to be playing a part in strengthening the ties between the islands and the mainland, and will be working hard with our partner BAM Nuttall to ensure that the works are completed well in time for the arrival of a brand-new ferry in Stornoway this autumn.’