News / Walls pier opening
A NEW £3 million pier at Walls will be officially opened this weekend with local councillor Frank Robertson cutting the ribbon.
The new pier, along with a new waiting room, store and toilets, will service the Foula ferry along with the local aquaculture industry.
Though the project was subject to a delay due to contractual issues, Shetland Islands Council said pier had been delivered within its £3.1 million budget. It was partially funded with the help of a £94,000 grant from the European Regional Development Fund towards the ferry element of the project.
The new development includes 154 metres of berthing space and 2,000 square metres of lay down and working area.
It is nearly four years since planning permission for the pier was granted. In 2011 the contract was awarded to Inverness-based Airport Civil Engineering, but later that year work ground to a halt when the firm was wound up due to “resourcing difficulties”.
In the spring of 2012 the project got back on track when local firm Frank L. Johnston (Shetland) Ltd. won the contract to complete the works.
Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony at 12.15 on Saturday, harbour board chairwoman Andrea Manson said she was “extremely pleased” the pier was now ready for use.
“This hasn’t been the easiest of projects to see through to completion,” she said, “but I’m more than happy that it has been delivered within the tender price.
“I’d like to particularly thank the completing contractor, Frank L. Johnston Ltd., for the work they’ve done.”
Manson added: “I’m confident that the new pier will be a real benefit to the communities in Foula and Walls, as well as providing an important service to the local fish and shellfish farming industry.”
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