Yell Sound ferry service disruptions averted as SIC engineers find new solution

Fears of forthcoming disruption to the Yell Sound ferry service have been averted as engineers have devised a way of carrying out work without cutting runs.

Originally it was anticipated that maintenance on piers at Toft and Ulsta would mean a scaled-back service later this month. But now SIC infrastructure chief Phil Crossland has said that following discussions with its contractors, the council’s ferries service has found an alternative engineering solution. This will allow essential maintenance at the two piers to go ahead without disruption to services.

Mr Crossland said: “There were clearly significant concerns among business and private users at the level of disruption which would have been caused by cancelled sailings later this month. Contractors and ferries staff have, however, come forward with an innovative solution involving off-site engineering, and limiting impact on the Yell Sound service.”

Some of the work will also now be deferred till early next year. This will mean an additional cost of around £6,000 to the SIC, but Mr Crossland said he believes this is the most appropriate way to go forward.

He added: “We’re pleased that a solution has been found which will satisfy both the requirement for this important maintenance to go ahead, and the needs of the community, and I’d like to thank both our own staff and the contractors for coming up with an alternative approach.”