Co Down-based Graham Construction has secured a £3.44 million contract to carry out extensive upgrade works on Kennacraig Pier on the Mull of Kintyre in SCotland.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) appointed Graham following a Public Contracts Scotland tendering process and work will begin on-site week commencing 6th December.

The contract will predominantly comprise the construction of a berthing dolphin large enough to accommodate the new CMAL vehicle and passenger ferry MV Finlaggan, which will serve the island of Islay and is due in Scotland in April 2011.

General upgrade works are also planned, including repairs to the existing sheet piled walls, re-profiling the concrete fixed ramp and upgrading of the fuelling system, the water supply to the pier, the terminal lighting and drainage.

The works will be carried out whilst maintaining one berth open at all times, to ensure continuity of the ferry service to Islay, and the project is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2010. The berthing dolphin will be completed for the arrival of MV Finlaggan in April 2011.

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Alan Bill, Managing Director of Graham Construction, said: "This is a challenging project and we're looking forward to working closely with CMAL over the coming months. We’ll be working 24 hours a day at times to ensure the new open piled berthing dolphin is delivered on-time and given the remote location, pre-planning will be essential to ensure all plant and materials arrive promptly."

Director of Harbours and Piers, Lorna Spencer said: "We are delighted to announce the contract for the upgrade works to Kennacraig Pier to Graham Construction. Once the works are complete, the facilities will accommodate the MV Finlaggan, a new modern vessel which will serve the Islay community for many years to come and we look forward to welcoming her to Scotland next year."

Over £2 million of improvement work has already been carried out by CMAL this year including the removal of a sunken barge at the entrance to Kennacraig harbour and quay wall repairs and linkspan refurbishment at Port Ellen.

An initial public meeting to discuss the works programme will be held on 9 December, which will be attended by CMAL, Calmac Ferries Ltd, Halcrow and Graham Construction.

Regular information notices with updates about the works will be posted on a project information board at the Kennacraig ferry terminal and CMAL will hold regular public meetings with the contractor and engineer.

(GK/BMcC)