Finally: Port Askaig on Islay open for ferries
Monday, June 11 2007
After so many delays it's now confirmed by Calmac that the Islay ferry from Kennacraig is using the rebuilt pier at Port Askaig as of today. In fact, at the moment of writing the first ferry since months docked at Port Askaig today at three, using the newly built pier and link span. This means that ferries will no longer be diverted to Port Ellen and everything is back to normal. Normal meaning ferries will sail from Kennacraig to Port Ellen AND Port Askaig, depending on the timetable.
The newly built pier and link span are part of major upgrade of the harbour at Port Askaig. With the newly built north pier and link span phase II is now ready and phase III will commence soon. Phase III consists of reshaping the harbour in front of the Port Askaig hotel so that the Jura ferry will not block the entrance to the harbour as is the case right now, allowing free access to the harbour when required.
The original planning for the completion of phase II was winter 2006/2007 which means that the completion of that phase had a delay of more than 4 months. The delays were mainly caused by adverse weather conditions in the winter and faults in the construction which had to be rebuilt.
The new Link Span
This is good news for a lot of people, distilleries and other businesses on the island. During the closure of Port Askaig a lot of tourists didn't bother to visit the north-east of the island and businesses were affected by it. Already a while back Arra from the Persabus Pottery mentioned that the Bridgend to Port Askaig road was very quiet and fewer people visited his pottery. The distilleries complained that the ferry service was inadequate because ferries where cancelled during bad weather. Also the people on Colonsay will be happy that Port Askaig has reopened. Because the ferries were diverted to Port Ellen the travel time to Colonsay on Wednesday lasted two hours more for a return trip, leaving only four hours on Colonsay, which is barely enough for day-trippers to discover the island. Also the diversion of ferries to Port Askaig will be possible again when weather conditions are too bad to enter Port Ellen. Port Askaig is a more sheltered harbour than Port Ellen. The temporary shedule from Calmac is no longer in effect.
Jura Ferry blocking entrance to harbour
Calmac Ferry entering Port Askaig. Date of picture: 13 June
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