Caithness is moving forward on transport
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CAITHNESS Transport Forum has been updated on a range of positive developments at local harbours and at Wick John O'Groats Airport.
At their latest meeting, forum members heard that Gills harbour is expected to be confirmed this year as the Gills Bay Economic Development Zone and that work on the breakwater is continuing.
Members also heard that Pentland Ferries expects to take delivery of its new vessel and have it in service for early 2019.
Over the past year Scrabster harbour has seen significant increases in vessel arrivals and tonnage, ferry passengers and vehicles, and landings of fish. This year has also marked another successful cruise season for the port, with 12 cruise vessels docked and 15 booked for the following year.
Members also heard of positive news at Wick harbour regarding operations to support Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (Bowl).
As reported in last week's Groat, up to 120 people are travelling from Wick harbour on the crew transfer vessels daily to work on the wind farm. It is understood the total number of people employed at the site is 500. At the same time, work is continuing to redevelop the 200-year-old buildings which will become the operational base for up to 90 Bowl staff.
Serco NorthLink Ferries provided an update on progress since Serco took over the running of the lifeline Northern Isles ferry services in 2012. In its six years of service, passenger volumes have increased 10 per cent and the volume of cars carried has increased by 28 per cent.
Ninety-nine per cent of passengers surveyed rated their experience as positive, with 80 per cent rating the on-board food and drink offering as excellent.
Forum members heard from Wick John O'Groats Airport about the WIKING helicopter now in place to support operations at the Beatrice offshore wind farm.
The £6 million helicopter, an Airbus H145, will take technicians and equipment to and from the site off the Caithness coast when Wick harbour is closed or the sea swell is too strong for a boat transfer. The helicopter will provide cover 365 days a year. It is part of a deal between SSE, which leads the Beatrice project, and Siemens Gamesa, the German company contracted to maintain the turbines.
Trudy Morris, chairwoman of Caithness Transport Forum, said: "We were very pleased to hear so much good news across all modes of transport.
"With recent opportunities for the region including the Beatrice offshore wind farm, the announcement of the vertical launch site in Sutherland, and more oil and gas fields coming on stream in the west of Shetland, it is more important than ever that we have a strong, integrated transport system."
