Fishermen have branded an ice plant the “white elephant” of Macduff Harbour after further delays to the facility’s opening.
Last year, plans for a £400,000 ice machine at the harbour were unveiled and the amenity was scheduled to open in April 2019, but that was delayed and an official opening ceremony in June was postponed.
It was hoped the plant would bring more fishing boats to the town which would benefit from the landings, rates and dues.
The Press and Journal revealed the extent of the delay last year and, since then, the plant, which is being built by Aberdeenshire Council, has been painted.
However, while a spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council confirmed it is now in its final stage of commissioning, many residents are angry at the lengthy wait.
She added: “As a last step, we are currently waiting on the delivery of equipment that will be used in order to monitor the output of ice from the facility, as part of a wider and ongoing quality control process”
But it has now been delayed for nine months and fishermen, including skipper John Clark, are getting fed up.
He said: “It’s a fiasco. At Christmas time, Macduff was nearly full of fishing boats stopping and everyone was wanting to fill up with ice before sailing, but as it wasn’t open, the boats had to steam to Fraserburgh which led to huge queues. It’s not on.
“I don’t think the council realise how much revenue they are losing without this incentive for boats to come in.
“Some users also think a full audit should take place into why the problems occurred as a lot of public money and European Maritime and Fisheries Funding paid for the factory. Locals have dubbed the ice machine the white elephant.
“I’m not joking but it’s the talk of the north-east – I, myself, am getting calls asking why its not open, but at this rate, if it’s open in June 2020, that will be a bonus.”
Minutes from the Macduff Regeneration Development Partnership meeting on December 2 stated: “The ice machine is expected to be operational within the next two weeks.”
Chairman and councillor Ross Cassie said: “I agree the delay is totally unacceptable.
“We’ve put it on the agenda for our next ward meeting demanding an update. At the last one, they told us everything was in place, but it needed to be calibrated.
“It just shows the poor contract management that has been happening through this project from the start.”