Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
12 July 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 12 July 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
Tens of vehicles joined the procession across the new Eriskay Causeway today (Thursday) after the car ferry from South Uist made its final trip to and from the Island.
Western Isles MP Calum Macdonald and MSP Alasdair Morrison joined councillors from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and a crowd of Islanders, young and old, for a formal farewell to the ferry services after more than 20 years.
The 1.6 kilometre causeway from South
Uist to Eriskay is part of the £9.4m Eriskay and Sound of Barra integrated
transport project which has been under way since May last year.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar put £2
million into the project with £4.1 million coming from the Scottish Executive's
transportation challenge fund and the rest from European Objective 1 (£2.8
million) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£0.5 million).
More than 50 cars joined the official
cavalcade of cars across the new roadway after a special ferry trip across the
Sound of Eriskay and back for guests and local people.
CnES Transportation Committee chairman
Norman A Macdonald said that progress on the causeway, and future developments
planned for the ferry link across the Sound of Barra were part of long-term
programme by the Comhairle which has seen a series of improvements over the
last decade.
After a buffet held for guests and
local people in the community centre on Eriskay, MP Calum Macdonald praised
the work of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and local people in bringing about the
project. "Work on this link and others in recent years is helping to bring
the economy and people of the Islands closer together."
CnES Convener Alex Macdonald thanked
the crew from the Council-run car ferry for their commitment over the years
of the service. He also thanked the people of Eriskay for the patience over
the years as the causeway project got underway. He paid tribute to the work
of Calum Macdonald during his time at Scottish Office for helping with the funding
for the project.
This release has been prepared by Intermedia Services (01851 705743) on behalf of the Eriskay Causeway Information Service of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
For further information please contact John Clark on 01851 709533.