A major road infrastructure project is set to transform access to key industrial and port sites on the Isle of Lewis, supported by a significant £7.2 million public funding package. The Stornoway Port Authority is spearheading the initiative, which involves upgrading the entire 3.3-kilometre Arnish Moor Road, creating a fully resurfaced, two-track route from the A859 to Arnish Point, which encompasses the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal and the Arnish Industrial Complex.

The upgrade is designed to provide easier access for both freight deliveries and cruise ship vehicles, and critically, to enable strategic market opportunities in the offshore wind sector. The total £7.2 million funding is being delivered through a collaborative effort:

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• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE): Contributes £3.4 million. This funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest up to £500 million in the offshore wind supply chain and port infrastructure.

• SSEN Transmission: Contributes £3.4 million.

• Stornoway Port Authority: Provides the remaining £409,000.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who attended the project's groundbreaking ceremony, emphasised Stornoway's vital role in Scotland's growing offshore wind industry, stating that the investment will ensure the industrial cluster is "equipped to meet demand and attract further investment and business."

Joanna Peteranna, HIE director of operations, noted that Arnish is a "tremendous asset" with great potential to expand its contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy sector, and the road development will further strengthen infrastructure, "unlocking even greater opportunities for growth."