News / Rock arrives for runway repairs
TWO Norwegian barges are sheltering in Lerwick harbour loaded with rock armouring for further repairs to the main runway at Sumburgh airport.
The runway has been struggling to cope with the impact of heavy seas on its eastern end ever since a £10 million extension was completed in 2006.
The problem has led to a legal dispute between airport operators HIAL Ltd and Shetland Islands Council over the cost of the repairs, which have been estimated as high as £10 million.
On Tuesday the tugs Boa Balder and Afon Allow arrived at Lerwick harbour with the shuttle barge Charlie Rock and the main barge Stema Barge 2, which is carrying large quantities of Norwegian rock armouring.
The vessels will stay in Lerwick until the winds ease sufficiently for them to carry out repairs at the runway.
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