As a follow up on the article that was published in the Ileach of 28 February about the new Islay ferry that doesn't fit Port Ellen, a public meeting was held on Islay on the 10th March. In this public meeting Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) presented their views on the reconstruction of the Kennacraig and Port Ellen Ferry terminals. Please find below an exact copy of the business case summary that has been published on the CMAL website as a PDF and presented in the meeting.

Port Ellen Terminal

I will publish the article of last Saturday's Ileach about this same business case and the results of the public meeting on the blog tomorrow. Stay tuned! A full quote of the report: Continue reading....

CMAL have published the Executive Summaries of the Business Cases prepared for infrastructure improvements at Port Ellen and Kennacraig. The final business cases will be presented to the Scottish Government for consideration in the near future. Detailed design work is continuing for both projects and the process for Harbour Revision Orders will begin shortly.

In November 2008, Halcrow Group Ltd was appointed by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) to undertake a study to examine the economic and social case for investment in the upgrading of two ferry terminals, Port Ellen and Kennacraig. The study follows the previous STAG appraisal of the Islay services carried out in 2002.

This report outlines the findings of the study which are specifically relevant to Port Ellen terminal. A separate report deals with Kennacraig.

The methodology applied in this study follows the best practice traditional appraisal approach set out in HM Treasury ‘Green Book’. Stakeholder consultation, option development and option appraisal have been carried out in accordance with this guidance.

The options developed aimed to specifically address key issues including berthing constraints, vehicular and passenger access problems, and health and safety concerns. These issues, amongst others, were raised during the consultation process in relation to Port Ellen terminal.

It is Halcrow’s recommendation that option 6 - new berth & linkspan with full reclamation between berths & new terminal building, is the preferable option as it appears to provide the most acceptable balance between cost and addressing the issues identified through consultation.

In particular it meets all the key transport planning objectives identified through consultation, especially meeting concerns over berthing constraints, vehicular and passenger access problems and health and safety concerns. Above all it improves the quality of Islay’s lifeline ferry connection. It also meets the key objective identified in chapter 1 of this report; “To upgrade berthing infrastructure, improve user access and develop terminal facilities at Port Ellen that will maintain reliable ferry service operations; safeguard the quality of Islay’s lifeline ferry connection to the Scottish mainland and support the efficient functioning of the local economy.’’ Which satisfies the recommendations of the previous 2002 STAG report and supports the Scottish Government’s National Strategic Objectives including;
• Wealthier and Fairer
• Safer and Stronger

If the initial cost of Option 6 was prohibitive, then as a second best option, Halcrow would recommend option 4 – new berth & linkspan with full reclamation between berths. This would allow for further construction, to achieve Option 6, to be completed at a later date.

Finally, if the initial cost of Option 4 was prohibitive, then Halcrow would recommend, as a minimum workable option, option 3 – new berth & linkspan with partial reclamation between berths. This would allow for further construction towards achieving Options 4 and 6 at a later date.

Capital expenditure estimates1 for options 3, 4 and 6 are summarised in Table 1 below. The table shows that the recommended options range from £16 million for Option 6 to £11.3 million for Option 3, representing a variation of £4.7 million. The cost of Option 4 falls in the middle of the other estimates at £13.9 million.

Table 1: MLRE Capital Expenditure Estimates Options 3, 4 & 6 MLRE Estimated Total Cost (£m)
option 3 – new berth & linkspan with partial reclamation between berths £m11.3
option 4 – new berth & linkspan with full reclamation between berths £m13.9
option 6 - new berth & linkspan with full reclamation between berths & new terminal building £m16.0

Click here for the original PDF from CMAL

Tag: ferry cmal calmac port ellen pier reconstruction