£1.8m contract awarded for North Isles Linkspan works

Work will get underway later this year on essential upgrades to control infrastructure at ferry linkspans in the North Isles.

A contract for the works has been awarded to Shetland firm Malakoff following a competitive tendering process.

The works will see the renewal of control cabins, installation of new control systems and replacement of hydraulic cylinders at Eday Pier, Loth Pier in Sanday, Whitehall Pier in Stronsay and Rapness Pier in Westray.

The project was approved through the Council’s Capital Project Appraisal in November last year.

The project – expected to get underway in December 2026 and aims to complete in March 2027 – will improve the efficiency of berthing operations and support the continued operation of lifeline ferry services to the North Isles.

The total gross capital cost of the project is in the region of £1.8m

Councillor Mellissa Thomson represents the North Isles and Chair of the Orkney Ferries Board.  She said: “The control infrastructure that sits around our isles linkspans are critical assets which at 35 years old are in poor condition and reaching the end of their operational life.  Their replacement is vital to continued lifeline ferry operations and I am pleased to see that the work will get underway this year following contract award.”

Budget for the works will come from the Council’s Miscellaneous Piers and Harbours Fund

The proposed schedule for the works is as follows, with works expected to take around two weeks on each site.

·         Eday – December 2026

·         Loth- January 2027

·         Stronsay – February2027

·         Rapness – March 2027