Piers and Harbours Grants
Harbour authorities face a constant battle to keep key shore infrastructure fit to support lifeline ferry services in the Highlands and Islands.
When new and larger ferries are introduced to service, it is often necessary to upgrade their berthing arrangements. General deterioration, following years of extreme weather and other factors (e.g. accelerated low water corrosion) can mean that slipways, linkspans and the other shore infrastructure require improvement.
The Piers and Harbours Grants programme provides substantial support for major capital works to improve berthing facilities used by lifeline ferry services in the Highlands and Islands. Ferries Division within Transport Group administer these grants.
The 2006-2007 programme budget stands at £7.5 million. This money supports major projects at locations such as Canna, Inverie, Oban, and Port Askaig. In the future, the programme will support major projects planned for Cumbrae, Largs, Raasay and Rothesay, and other locations across the ferry network.