Plans for Nigg Bay (Damien Ristori)

Hopefully the next time Serco NorthLink manager Stuart Garrett, or anyone who is a representative from the harbour board is interviewed, can the media try to find out more about the Nigg Bay/Aberdeen berthing project?

All media, including local papers etc, I think should be digging around for more information regarding the ongoing plans for the Nigg Bay/Aberdeen project.

At the November meeting of Lerwick Community Council, Stuart McCallum responded to a question regarding bigger better vessels for a new contract. Capt McCallum quoted that “new vessels would depend on the new Nigg Bay harbour area development”.

The development for this project is a few years away from being completed and really the time is now to focus on what benefits the new port could have for both Orkney, Shetland and the wider community around us.

It could also be a useful suggestion for Serco NorthLink to also perhaps hire a third vessel to be put into service during the summer months only.

I’m sure most islanders like myself would expect Serco to announce that this suggestion would cost a lot of money, but nevertheless four years is still a long way away and I think we are owed a better service; or perhaps they could open up daytime sailings again at peak times.

Sorry Orkney folk, I’m not wanting to pick a fight with you, but we Shetland dwellers need a few more daytime sailings pronto.
Any input from both island communities would be helpful to hopefully achieve a better transport link for all concerned.

Damien Ristori
Lerwick Community Council member
61 Commercial Road,
Lerwick.