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Huge pier extension block to be towed 235 miles

George Leslie Ltd Caisson at BelfastGeorge Leslie Ltd
George Leslie Ltd Caisson in waterGeorge Leslie Ltd
A concrete structure called a caisson constructed in Belfast is to be towed to Lochmaddy in North Uist
It will take two boats to tow the caisson from Northern Ireland to the Western Isles

A 3,200-tonne concrete structure is to be towed 235 miles (378km) by sea from Belfast to Lochmaddy in North Uist.

The 33m (108ft) caisson will be used in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Lochmaddy Pier extension project.

The structure has been named Block Maddy - Bloca Loch nam Madadh in Gaelic - following a competition for local school children.

Civil Engineering contractor George Leslie Ltd said the caisson was expected to arrive in the Western Isles on Friday.