Luing causeway row rumbles on

A row is still rumbling over a causeway built without permission between Luing and Torsa.

 

Archie Cadzow, from the Luing landowning family, who built the causeway, is insisting the former ford is now back to how it was before work was carried out.

 

But those incensed by the new structure, which was built without permission and measured about 1.4m high at one stage, say more remedial work needs to be done - as instructed by Marine Scotland.

 

Luing Community Council has received requests for clarity on the current position and is waiting for a reply from Marine Scotland.

 

'The ongoing situation regarding the Torsa/Luing passage blockage is yet to be resolved. Nothing has happened to remove the obstruction since mid December,' one campaigner told The Oban Times.

 

Historically there has always been a rough ford connecting Luing and Torsa but Mr Cadzow said he built it up higher for health and safety reasons to benefit both employees and livestock - increasing times to get access to the island and to spend on it.

 

The heightened causeway edged with huge boulders stirred up a fury among kayakers and boat users saying what was a well-known, safe and sheltered navigable route marked on maps had now become impassable.

 

"attachment_653784" "" "300"] A19ft sailing boat navigating the passage just before low water back before the built-up causeway was constructed

 

At the driest of tides, paddlers were known to pull their kayaks over the low-lying ford, when the water was a little higher - kayaks and boats could still get through. But the fear was that water-users not knowing about the new, higher causeway, thinking the route passable, could run into it. Even at high tide, campaigners said there was not much clearance and that the route had been 'blocked'.

 

Complaints from the public were received by NatureScot, Marine Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council's Access Officer.

 

The outrage triggered an investigation by Marine Scotland who ordered the new causeway be dismantled and restored to its original state.

 

Campaigners contacted The Oban Times this month concerned that since December work to reduce the height of the causeway seemed to have come to a halt and so far had made just 'a nominal change'.

 

They are worried that with more and more kayakers now starting to arrive from out of the area, there could be an accident.

 

Archie Cadzow says the work is finished, adding: 'The causeway is back to the original stage minus the seaweed that was growing on the rocks. This has been the case for months. There was and always has been a causeway to Torsa,' he said.

 

In a latest update from the Scottish Government, a  spokesperson for Marine Scotland  said  'some remediation works' had been carried out.

 

The spokesperson added: 'Officials will continue to liaise with the person responsible to ensure the site is restored to the condition in which it was before the activity occurred.'

 

NatureScot has also provided advice to Mr Cadzow on the requirements of surveying protected species at the site.

 

There were also concerns the new causeway could change tidal times, silt up the passage area and affect seaweed growth and wildlife in Ardinamir Bay and Cuan Cove, as well as force kayakers and boats out into rougher waters in bad weather on the outer side of Torsa.