OVERNIGHT Operation Carried Out To Remove Old Gourock Linkspan
GOUROCK Ferry Terminal linkspan has been removed from the harbour infrastructure in a carefully planned night-time operation.
Lara 1, a large, highly manoeuvrable offshore crane barge with a reach of 40 metres, lifted the ramp clear to make way for a new one in the early hours of Wednesday.
The linkspan is now on its way to Liverpool on Lara 1 to be disposed of.
The new linkspan has already been delivered to Gourock and will be installed in the coming weeks.
| More photos of Lara 1 at Gourock
Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which owns the terminal, is delivering a £2million project to extend the life of the linkspan structure.
The works, which are being carried out by contractor George Leslie Limited, will also deliver repairs to the linkspan support structures and replace the steel deck and associated mechanical and electrical equipment.
Work is due to be completed by 23 December, subject to weather conditions. When complete, Gourock will be available as an alternative mainland port for vehicle services.
Paul Colenso, senior civil engineer at CMAL, said: “The lift out was conducted during a nightshift to avoid disruption to the ferry service. Night-time working takes a little bit of extra planning, particularly for a complex lifting operation like this.
“It marks a major step in the project, with the next key milestone being the installation of the new linkspan.
“We’re working to complete in December, so long as we don’t experience any severe weather over the coming weeks.”
CMAL is progressing options for the redevelopment of Gourock Ferry Terminal as part of an overall project to deliver a modern, reliable and resilient lifeline passenger ferry service between Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan.
