CalMac has diverted sailings away from Uig Harbour following Highland Council’s announcement that vehicles greater than 10 metres in length are unable to travel through it.
Normal timetabled sailings were expected to resume today following harbour works carried out by the authority.
However, the council says an issue with the temporary bridge makes it impossible for longer vehicles to turn with a solution likely in place by Saturday.
As a result, from today, customers who intended travelling via Uig will be diverted via Stornoway – Ullapool and an additional service will be provided between Tarbert and Lochmaddy.
From March 23 – March 27 CalMac will revert to the Uig closure services with a daily service provided between Lochmaddy – Ullapool.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: “We were assured by Highland Council, who are the Harbour Authority, that there would be no restrictions on operations at Uig – however, this has now been proven to not be the case.
Highland Council pressed to fix problem
“We are seeking urgent confirmation of the situation from Highland Council as this has caused enormous disruption and upset to our customers.
“We are pressing Highland Council to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that we can resume our services to Uig.
“We plan to resume normal Little Minch services on March 28 – however, we will continue to liaise closely with the Highland Council and monitor the situation at Uig. We will provide further updates as we progress.
“We are seeking urgent confirmation of the situation from the council as this has caused enormous disruption and upset to our customers.
“We are pressing the council to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so that we can resume our services to Uig.
“We fully appreciate and share the frustration felt by communities regarding this very late notice from Highland Council, which brings more uncertainty to our communities regarding the reopening of Uig.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “Surely these issues should have been identified and addressed earlier, and not left until the 11th hour.
“Our ferry network is already struggling, and every incident like this just erodes confidence in the service a little more.”
Late notice for CalMac passengers
Passengers and their vehicles using the refurbished Uig ferry terminal on Skye were told of restrictions – at the 11th hour.
It was announced on social media last night that the Uig triangle ferries will not be allowing HGVs, vehicles with trailers and caravans to travel to and from Uig until further notice.
The message came only hours before some passengers were due to travel to farming sales with cattle in trailers.
The problem was highlighted during last minute sea trials of the pier when problems with the access bridge were found.
The Uig triangle ferries travel between Skye to Tarbet, Harris and Lochmaddy in North Uist – connecting the islands in the Western Isles archipelago with the mainland.
The Highland Council has confirmed that their infrastructure work at Uig Harbour is complete. Our services to/from Uig will resume 23 March. Check out our customer update for more details: https://t.co/xQraqpe6rL pic.twitter.com/9vQiRg5oIa
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) March 22, 2023
On Tuesday it was confirmed that services to and from Uig would resume after two months of work by Highland Council.
However, there are some restrictions to the types of vehicles that can be carried.
Earlier a Highland Council spokeswoman said: “Following a live trial of the berthing of the MV Hebrides last night, an issue has arisen with the temporary bridge at Uig harbour.
“Whilst the ferry service will be back on the route today, longer vehicles travelling from Uig to the Islands are having to be rerouted through Ullapool.
“This is due to the alignment of the bridge not allowing the necessary turning movement for longer vehicles.”
“A solution is being developed and likely to be in place by Saturday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to HGV operators and other long vehicle users.”
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