Concern over Arnish equipment removal

Campaign group Action for Arnish say that the yard is being broken up as lorries leave the site full of equipment.

The call comes after truck-loads of machinery were seen to leave the yard which is leased by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to BiFab, the Canadian-owned company which has failed to win work from major windfarm projects off the Scottish coast.

In a statement, Action for Arnish said: “The removal of this machinery is another step towards the total mothballing of Arnish. It is certainly a signal that BiFab have no interest in bringing work to Arnish.

“We have sought and received assurances, via Comhairle nan Eilear Siar, that the equipment belongs to BiFab and was not paid for from public funds. However, we believe this should be closely monitored.

“The fact BiFab are so obviously turning their backs on Arnish reinforces our contention that the yard should be available to any company that can bring work to the island, rather than tied into a deal which has failed to deliver.

“We again call on the Scottish Government to end the secrecy about the deal with DF Barnes which gave them Arnish as an add-on to the two BiFab yards in Fife. The Lewis community is entitled to know why this agreement still exists, in the absence of any work”.

The statement concluded: “The Prime Minister has this week highlighted the potential of offshore wind for the Scottish economy. These opportunities will continue to pass Arnish by unless there is a serious commitment to developing the yard’s potential”.

GMB Scotland Organiser Hazel Nolan said: “At the very moment we should be heavily investing in the renewables supply chain to aid our economic recovery it appears the Arnish yard is literally being deconstructed before our very eyes.”