Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has announced the contractor appointed to a £1.5m project for a new harbour at Ardveenish.

Following a competitive tendering process, local firm Macinnes Brothers has been awarded the contract to construct a new harbour at Ardveenish on the Isle of Barra.

The development will create a sheltered, fit-for-purpose harbour at the village and will be a positive addition to the existing facilities as well as complementing recent private investment in the fishing fleet and processing sector.

The project involves creating a modified box harbour with berthing for up to seven over-10m vessels plus a number of static gear vessels. With current berthing, alongside an exposed single quay face, the new harbour will safeguard a local fleet essential to the long term future of fish processing and exporting from Barra.

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Archie Campbell, Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee said: "This represents the latest investment in major harbour development to support the local fishing industry and secure local employment and fishing activity in a sector vital to Barra and the wider economy."

Joanna Peteranna, Senior Development Manager, Highlands and Islands Enterprise added: "HIE is pleased to be supporting the community in Barra in their efforts to regenerate the island. We are delighted to contribute to this project which creates a significant opportunity to increase economic activity in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Barra. Sustaining fragile communities is a vital part of what HIE does and this project aims to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in one of the Highlands and Islands' most fragile areas."

The investment has been made possible due to £1.25m funding from the Comhairle's Capital Programme, £283,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund and £125,000 from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

It is hoped construction work will start in September with completion by August 2014.

(JP/CD)