Council terminate contract

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has today announced that the delivery of the improvement works at Lochmaddy Pier, North Uist, will be delayed following the failure of the contractor, L&M Keating Ltd, to return to the site following their suspension of the works, initially in March due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and then again in July 2020.

The pier project at Lochmaddy has now been terminated by the council.

Following a review by the Comhairle at the end of September, the contract with Keating has now been terminated and the council, in collaboration with Transport Scotland as key funders, are exploring options for commissioning and organising delivery of the works.

In the meantime, there is a need to undertake reinstatement works at the site to ensure it is left safe and secure for the intervening period and it is planned to undertake these in the coming weeks. In addition, it is proposed to undertake a programme of enabling works over the coming months, including completing the demolition of the former Visit Scotland and former Coastguard properties and undertaking advance utility diversion works at the site.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of the Comhairle’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said, “Whilst we recognise the financial and organisational challenges facing the Contractor, it is crucial that we continue with the delivery of the improvement works. The decision to terminate the contract was not taken lightly and we see re-engaging with the construction sector as soon as possible as the best way forward for the project”.