§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the difficulties associated with the lighting and stability of safety buoys, in the vicinity of the Kyle of Lochalsh/Kyleakin crossing, relevant to the construction work on the bridge to Skye, breach the original conditions of consent; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the safety provisions at the Kyle of Lochalsh/Kyleakin crossing, relevant to the construction work on the bridge to Skye, are satisfactory with specific regard to the lighting and stability of surface buoys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe consent to the Skye bridge works, issued by the Department of Transport under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949, requires the works to be marked and lit as specified by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The consent also provides for the broadcast of natigational warnings to mariners and for the use of guardships in connection with any emergency arising from the works including the displacement of buoys and the failure of lights. The contractors are also required to advise the hydrographer of the Navy of any hazard to navigation arising from the works.
Technically, any failure of navigational safety equipment represents a breach of the conditions of consent. On the occasions when the Northern Lighthouse Board has reported failures of navigational equipment. The Department of Transport has contacted the contractors and ensured that immediate action was taken to correct the failure. At the Department's request, the contractors are taking steps to ensure that problems with the navigational aids are minimised, including the replacement of the existing battery powered lights with solar powered buoys.