Local firm wins deal to work on £6m ferry

Local firm wins deal to work on £6m ferry

20 January 2016

THE contract to upgrade the Strangford slipway ahead of the arrival of a new £6m ferry this autumn has been awarded.

The work will be carried out by Saintfield-based Dawson-WAM Ltd., with the £750,000 contract also involving improvements to off-shore moorings to accommodate the new multi-million pound vessel.

Stormont transport minister Michelle McIlveen confirmed she recently visited ship builders Cammell Laird to view progress on the construction of the new ferry. 

“It was really impressive to see the progress being made on the new ferry and to hear that the build is on schedule. This £6m investment by the Northern Ireland Executive will see the replacement of the existing MV Strangford, which is now over 40 years old,” she explained.

“The new, modern ferry has been designed specifically for this important route and will provide a more reliable and efficient ferry service for the public in the years ahead.”

The new vessel has the capacity to carry 28 cars and 260 passengers and will share the ferry crossing between Strangford and Portaferry with the MV Portaferry II.

The ageing MV Strangford went into service over four decades ago, with Transport NI officials explaining the new vessel will provide a more reliable and efficient ferry service. They say the MV Strangford which is approaching the end of its economically operational life.

Miss McIlveen also revealed that while she was at the Merseyside shipyard recently she visited the MV Portaferry II, which is undergoing its annual refit and refurbishment which will cost £400,000.

“These essential maintenance works are necessary to meet Maritime and Coastguard Agency safety standards and will ensure that the vessel is fit for service for many years to come,” she continued.

Construction work to upgrade the Strangford slipway is scheduled to commence shortly and is due to be complete in approximately 12 weeks.

Installation of the new moorings will be completed in the same period. The works are subject to favourable weather conditions and Transport NI will keep the public informed of any change.

Strangford harbour is a designated special area of conservation and minimising the impact of the works on the site has been critical requirement when planning the works. Planning permission and a marine construction licence for the works have been obtained.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard confirmed he has contacted Miss McIlveen about concerns over the proposed work, which will see the upgrade of the ferry ramp in front of the village green.

He has met with concerned residents who fear the work will impact on public use of the green.

He said: “I welcome the investment is going into an upgraded ferry service for Strangford Lough, but it is vital that we don’t destroy the environmental and maritime heritage of the village at the same time.

“The Department of Regional Development owns sufficient land to the east of the existing ferry terminal which would easily accommodate a temporary ramp whilst the upgraded ramp is finished.”

Transport NI officials have confirmed that during the construction period there may be some disruption due to construction traffic particularly in the immediate harbour area in the village and in the vicinity of Strangford Green. 

They say they will work closely with contractor to ensure the works are carefully programmed and that every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience to local residents, harbour users and ferry passengers.