Skerries ferry service reopens to vehicles

Shetland Islands Council is pleased to announce that the Skerries linkspan will re-open to vehicles on Friday 23rd October
Shetland Islands Council is pleased to announce that the Skerries linkspan will re-open to vehicles on Friday 23rd October

Shetland Islands Council is pleased to announce that the Skerries linkspan will re-open to vehicles on Friday 23rd October.

This is a significant achievement by the project team, which comprises SIC Ports and Ferries, Malakoff Limited and engineers Mott MacDonald Limited, and follows the identification of major structural problems in the concrete approach bridge last October.

These problems resulted in an immediate 3-tonne gross vehicle weight load restriction, and a decision that the approach bridge should be replaced as soon as possible.

The fabrication of the necessary components was underway when Covid-19 struck, and the country went into lockdown. This caused a short delay, as Covid-secure methods and safe systems of work were developed to allow these essential works to continue.

The project restarted in April and on-site work commenced in August, with the last ferry service for vehicles taking place on 31st August.  The existing approach bridge was demolished, new bearing shelves formed, and the new bridge lifted in.

Andrew Inkster is Executive Manager, Marine Infrastructure & Airports:  “We’re extremely pleased to see this project completed in such a short period of time.  Given the scope of the work required, limiting the outage of the RoRo ferry service to eight weeks is a significant achievement that was only possible due to the commitment and collaborative working of all members of the project team.”

Published: 22nd October 2020