A 500 metre stretch of coastline on the airport’s south-west boundary was stabilised in the £600,000 project using more than 8,000 tonnes of stone supplied and installed by sole contractor Aggregate Industries UK Limited of Stornoway.

The site had suffered worsening erosion by wave and storm action in recent years and has been reconstructed and landscaped using gabion wire cages supplied by Maccaferri Limited.

The scheme was initiated following advice to HIAL from Glasgow-based consulting engineers Pick Everard who designed and managed the project.

The work was carried out as part of an ongoing multi-million pound programme of infrastructure investment at the airport operator’s 10 facilities across the North and West of Scotland.

The work has attracted praise from the local community and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) for the sympathetic landscaping incorporated in the scheme and the care taken to minimise the visual impact of the works on the scenic coastline.

John Hay, Manager for HIAL's western region said: "Wave and storm action had gradually eroded the coastline bordering Benbecula Airport in recent years. The coastal protection work will ensure this problem does not impact on operational areas of the airfield and will protect the runway and landing lights at the airport from encroachment by the sea. Work on this project has been completed to schedule despite logistical challenges posed by the site, the operational requirements of the airport and the more severe weather conditions experienced during the winter months."

Local Councillor Martin Taylor (Benbecula North) said: "I very much welcome the fact that this vital coastal protection work has been completed and that it has been done in such a way as to minimise the impact on the local landscape."

Bob MacLeod, Managing Director of HIAL said the project formed part of the company’s commitment to ongoing capital investment across its network of 10 airports.

Mr MacLeod said: "Benbecula Airport is strategically important to our business development plans in the Western Isles and also plays an important role in facilitating life line air links for the local community. Both Stornoway and Benbecula airports are crucial to our relationship with QinetiQ and the marketing of the Hebrides ranges to the defence industry. We have invested £36 million over the past 10 years in expanding infrastructure at our 10 airports, with significant financial backing from the Scottish Executive, and are committed to significant ongoing development in the coming financial year."

Preparatory work on the site began in October 2002 and the airport continued to operate as normal during the project.

Trevor Graham, civil engineering associate at Pick Everard said: "We were pleased we could develop a more cost effective solution to the problem, with the use of gabions rather than rock armour. Gabions also have significantly less environmental impact and can more readily blend into the existing coastline."

Angus MacLeod, Western Isles director of Aggregate Industries said: "We are very pleased with both the quality and progress of the works. The stone was specially produced for this contract at our nearby quarry at Gairbh Eilean. Our site management ensured that by very close liaison with the client the work was carried out with little disruption to the operation of the airport. All employees were directly employed by Aggregate Industries and following our recent resurfacing of the main runway we were pleased to have been successful in winning this contract to ensure that the runway is protected."

Tom Edwards, regional director with Maccaferri UK said: "We always welcome the opportunity to work closely with the client and consulting engineer to assist in developing cost effective solutions and it is particularly pleasing when the solution adopted is praised for its environmental qualities. Aggregate Industries approached the installation of our products in a professional manner which included requesting the presence of Maccaferri construction personnel at commencement of the contract to work with their own workforce on site to ensure that the assembly and installation of the gabions and gabion mattresses was carried out to the required specification. As a result, the completed structure displays a high standard of workmanship and it is therefore a good example of this type of marine revetment."

ENDS