Following the first meeting of the Stornoway-Ullapool Ferry Project Taskforce, Transport Minister Derek Mackay has said the new MV Loch Seaforth ferry will be in operation by the end of May 2015.

The £42m vessel was initially expected to be in operation late last year, but delays to work on upgrading the berthing facilities at Stornoway on Lewis, has pushed the project back, causing knock-on delays at essential improvements needed at Ullapool.

For example, work to install a new linkspan – which will allow vehicles to move on and off ferries – at Ullapool ferry terminal has been delayed from February to April because of the problems at Stornoway harbour.

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Following the first meeting of the taskforce, Minister Mackay said it is anticipated that the work needed for the berthing of the new vessel will now be completed early next month, with work going ahead as planned on the linkspan on 20 April.

Minister Mackay said: "This was an extremely constructive first meeting and I am encouraged by the commitment of all partners to work together and deliver these major infrastructure works.

"Everybody involved in this project wants the work to be completed and see the MV Loch Seaforth operating on the Stornoway-Ullapool route as soon as possible.

"Today's meeting gave all partners the opportunity to discuss the way forward for the project and focus on how we minimise disruption and delay."

He added: "In moving forward, the community will be kept fully informed of progress and, through CalMac, the taskforce will be engaging with the community and local stakeholders directly.

"At the end of this process we will have improved harbour facilities and a new £42m ferry serving the Stornoway-Ullapool route, and I look forward to seeing the MV Loch Seaforth bringing an improved service to both communities."

(JP/CD)