Plans to make the harbour area more accessible take a step forward.

The development could now see increased public access to the harbour from the former bus station site on Cromwell Street, with the proposals for the move being further developed by Stornoway Port Authority (SPA).

According to a report before councillors at the last meeting of the full council, the funding will provide a suitable access gate for the public and an as yet undetermined ‘feature’ to be located at the former bus station site.

It is estimated that the project will cost approximately £100k, with the Port Authority funding the balance of £20k to bring the project to fruition.

The Comhairle allocated its £80,000 share of the funding under the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Capital Fund for 2020/21.

The aim of this specific Town Centre Fund is to stimulate local construction activity and to support local employment where possible, and the funding has now been focused on delivering the first element of the ‘Stornoway Vision Strategy’ - ‘Connecting to the Harbour’.

According to the report which was set before councillors for discussion, The Stornoway Vision is ‘a multi-agency partnership strategy’ which ‘seeks to reinforce and connect the strengths of Stornoway to create a vibrant, accessible and connected place where people want to Visit, Live, Work, Study, Play and Invest’.

Central to the ‘Stornoway Vision’ aim, the report states, ‘is a recognition of the historic significance of Stornoway’s waterfront and it includes several proposals to reconnect the Town Centre with both the harbour and the waterfront area’.

A spokesperson for Stornoway Port Authority commented to the Gazette: “Now that we have confirmation of the funding package for this project, we are now in a position to commence work on the initial design stages.

"These will be made available for the public to view and comment on in a consultation to be held during the Spring, with the project hopefully being completed by contractors later in the Summer.”