Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 25 April 2000 For Use: Immediately

The biggest ever civil engineering project in the Western Isles will get underway when former Transport Minister Calum Macdonald M.P. and Alasdair Morrison, MSP, cut the first turf to signal the start of work on the £9.4m Eriskay Causeway on Monday 8th May.

The occasion will be historic for Eriskay and the whole of the Western Isles and marks the start of work which will complete the Comhairle's ambitious programme of providing fixed links to all the populated islands within the Western Isles.

Convener Alex Macdonald said:

"The start of work on the causeway is excellent news for Eriskay and the whole of the Western Isles. This is the third fixed link project developed by the Comhairle in the past four years and we have already seen the benefits for communities from the fixed links at Scalpay and Berneray. It is now the turn of the people of Eriskay. Eriskay has been extremely patient but, working hand in hand with the community and with the support of European, Government and HIE funding, the Comhairle has managed to finance this project which will be the biggest ever civil engineering achievement in the islands. The people of Eriskay will benefit considerably in both social and economic terms and that is of benefit for all of the Western Isles."

The causeway will run from near Ludaig on South Uist to near the church on Eriskay linking two Iomairt An Oir (Initiaitve At The Edge) areas.

Cllr. Norman A. Macdonald, Chairman of Transportation, said:

"I am particularly pleased that this causeway will link two of the areas in our islands most in need of economic regeneration. The causeway is not only an initiative which will bring great benefit to Eriskay and South Uist in terms of increased prosperity and social activity but a symbol of the Comhairle's determination to support those communities 'At the Edge'."

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has committed £2m towards the causeway costs whilst HIE have contributed £500K. Together with £4.1m from the government's Transportation Challenge Fund and £2.8m secured by the Comhairle from Objective 1 funds, the financial package for the project is complete.

Local Member for Eriskay, Mr. David Blaney, also welcomed the start of work:

"I am delighted for the people of Eriskay that work has finally started on their dream. They saw the bridge being built to Scalpay, then the causeway to Berneray and at times it must have seemed as if Eriskay was never going to achieve its hope of a causeway. However, the community never stopped hoping and never lost faith in the Comhairle. Finally the dream is going to be a reality and I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues on the Comhairle who have supported the community of Eriskay and to all the officers who worked so hard to secure the necessary funding. One thing's for sure - life will never be the same again on Eriskay - it will be better."

The causeway will be 2km long and 10 metres wide. Work is expected to be completed by the Autumn of 2001. The main contractors for the scheme are R. J. Macleod.

Cutting Of Turf - Eriskay, Monday 8th May 12.30pm

You are invited to send a representative to this historic occasion

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer