Latest news with #OrkneyHarboursMasterplan
Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Works totalling £7 million begins on Orkney deep water quay despite project still awaiting final approval
Ground investigation works are currently underway at the site of what may become a major deep water quay development in Orkney. The proposed quay, which would be at Deepdale, Holm, is the flagship of the council's plans to generate cash from offshore wind developments. It is part of the first phase of the Orkney Harbours Masterplan, which aims to introduce harbour infrastructure enhancements to the islands over a 20-year period. The investigation works underway at the moment include detailed design, ground and marine investigation works and site surveys. Marine-based site investigations will also get under way next month. Being carried out by consultants, the result of this £7.7 million work will be used to find out is the quay project is actually worth it. First Minister John Swinney visited Orkney in February to announce £5.5million from Highlands and Islands Enterprise would be put towards the works. The quay itself would cost in the region of £200 million to £250 million. But, whether it goes ahead still hinges on whether the 21 local councillors say it should. The council has continually stressed the final decision will be in the hands of the elected members But when that decision will be made is still unclear. At a meeting last November, councillor Leslie Manson, a former depute leader of the council, raised concerns about the impression the public were being given. As the project again moves forward he was asked for his opinion on the direction of travel. He said he is '100% confident' councillors will ultimately have the final say. But, he also said, whether it's the deep water quay or another project, something has to be done to secure Orkney's future. Councillor Manson said: 'I can see exactly why a lot of the general public think it's a lot of money to spend on feasibility studies and that the project is obviously going to happen. 'But I can absolutely assure you that's not the case. 'At this point in time there no clear indication of what's going to happen. 'The fact is, if you're going to be going ahead with a £200 to £250 million project, you're not going to do that without knowing its feasibility. 'It's only through scoping it that you can get accurate costing of what it would cost to construct it. 'That's the process the council is engaged with at the moment. 'I can fully understand why there's a degree of cynicism from the public.' Mr Manson said he is currently 'agnostic' towards the quay project. But to him, it presents a possible solution to economic and demographic problems on Orkney's horizon. He said: 'Some folk might argue: why do anything at all? 'They might feel Orkney is fine the way it is. 'That's where you need to look at our demographics. They are not looking good. 'We're very much an aging population.' In March, a report from the local Community Planning Partnership stated that action must be taken to deal with Orkney's population would begin declining by 2043 without 'significant inward migration.' Mr Manson said: 'Over the next 10 to 15 years we're going to find we've got a very large group of over 70s. 'Unless something is done about it, we'll also have a reducing number of 20 to 70-year-old, working age people. 'That age group is scheduled to drop off quite dramatically. Our birth rate is tailing off the whole time.'
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Delayed electric hydrofoil boat due in Orkney within weeks after months of setbacks
An electric hydrofoil passenger boat is due to begin testing in Orkney next month – after original arrival dates of January and March came and went. The small vessel, along with another 50-passenger boat, is due to be trialled in the isles after a successful £15.5 million bid was made for UK Government funding. That bid came from Orkney Islands Council-run Orkney Ferries Ltd, Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Dubbed the 'Electric Orkney project', the aim is to boost the council's decarbonisation efforts. The smaller of the two vessels is due to arrive ahead of the larger one. Before it can start ferrying passengers between Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, Shapinsay, and the Orkney mainland though it needs to undergo sea trials. Following the nearly four-month delay, a team from Orkney will be working with Artemis Technologies in Belfast next week. A spokeswoman for the company said the visit will include sea trials and 'final acceptance' of the vessel. It is then expected the boat will arrive in Orkney 'within a matter of weeks.' The spokesman said: 'With the nature of this type of project and the groundbreaking technology involved, small, not uncommon delays have occurred as efforts to ensure all processes are correct and complete at each milestone are prioritised.' The project presents an exciting, speedy, and cutting-edge way for Orcadians to get around the islands. The hydrofoil technology means the hulls of the vessels will be lifted completely out of the water when they sail. The hope is the new vessel could bolster the existing council-run ferry service permanently. However, this will depend on how much they are used during the three-year trial The council has been asking communities on the islands how they might use the additional service. The Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre Development Trust is a development organisation run by the islanders for the benefit of the 260 people who live on the three islands. Its chairman, Peter Roebuck, believes the communities will welcome the hydrofoil vessels. However, there are still questions and concerns about how they will operate. And the hydrofoil project must also not distract from the need to replace Orkney's aging fleet of roll-on, roll-off ferries (Ro-Ro), he says. Mr Roebuck said: 'Our communities welcome the opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of renewable technology in trialling these boats. 'There is a combination of enthusiasm for the potential to improve connectivity between our islands and Mainland Orkney, together with some trepidation about their reliability. 'Also, there is real concern about the impact these boats may have on further extending the timetable for replacing our outdated and aging Ro-Ro ferry. 'The continuing five-year delay on phase two of the Orkney Harbours Masterplan continues to concern our communities about how and when our Ro-Ro will be replaced. 'So far, we have seen no sign of how passengers will locally embark or disembark these electric hydrofoils at all stages of the tide, nor how the boat will be recharged at terminals outside Kirkwall. 'We look forward to hearing more about when the trial will start, having seen no evidence of the necessary infrastructure being in place for them to start in the coming months.'
