Marine / Work on new Scalloway fish market scheduled for December finish
WORK on the new Scalloway fish market is expected to conclude in December, councillors were told on Wednesday.
Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) marine and airport infrastructure manager Andrew Inkster told members of the harbour board that the transition to the new market is expected to take place in January.
Work on the £5.6 million market has been undertaken by the Aberdeen based CHAP group and progress is ahead of schedule.
“Scalloway fish market has gone very, very well,” Inkster said.
A temporary chilled facility is still being used as a landing facility while the new market is being constructed.
Users remain “very pleased with these temporary landing arrangements”, Inkster said.
He added that CHAP “really have done an excellent job so far”.
Councillors were told last year that the SIC would have to fund the full cost of the project after a bid to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for half the bill was unsuccessful.
Work on a new Toft Pier, meanwhile, has been delayed by a number of weeks due to issues in gaining necessary marine licences from Marine Scotland.
Inkster said the approvals are now in place and that the contractor is on site in view of starting work soon.
The project, which managed to attract EMFF funding, is expected to be “substantially” completed by summer next year.
South mainland councillor Allison Duncan questioned whether the delays could put the EMFF funding in doubt.
Inkster confirmed this was not the case, adding that he had received word earlier in the day that the Scottish Government was understanding that the delay was out of the council’s control.
Councillors approved the project earlier this year at a cost of nearly £3 million amid hopes that aquaculture and fishing boats will return to a redeveloped Toft Pier.
Inkster also confirmed that the Foula harbour has now been dredged of sand and silt, with the area returning to its original depth.
He said it was “great news for the island” as the ferry had encountered some problems.
“It has been a long time coming,” Inkster admitted.
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