Travel Update
Friday 23 February 2024
ARDFERN ROADS
Friday 20 October 2023
ARDFERN ROADS AND SUNDAY CHANDLERY OPENING UPDATE
TRAVEL TO AND FROM ARDFERN
AS
many of you will already be aware, Argyll like many other areas of Scotland has
been hit by some torrential rainfall in recent weeks.
The
result of this has unfortunately caused some major road closures in the Ardfern
area and as such is causing a great deal of disruption to the business and
local community.
The diversion route via Loch Avich and Taynuilt.
At
this current time the A816 is closed south of Ardfern due to a large landslide
and north of Ardfern at Kilmelford, due to the failure of the main road bridge
in the village, which has now had to be demolished.
Argyll
and Bute Council state that ‘work on the bridge in Kilmelford is progressing
well and a temporary structure should be in place within a matter of days.’
In
the meantime, the recommended diversion route is via the C29 Loch Avich road
and B845 Taynuilt road, however it should be noted that this route is very
narrow in places, unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles and can easily get
congested.
Once
the Kilmelford Bridge is passable, the recommended diversion route to and from
Ardfern will be via the A816 from Oban.
Surveying
work has begun on the Bealach landslip on the A816 between Ardfern and
Lochgilphead, with the Council planning to make a temporary alternative road
via an existing forestry track, in order to effectively bypass the section of
road affected by the landslip, which they estimate will take approximately 4
weeks to put in place. However, works can only start, once land agreements and
various other technical matters have been completed. Ideally the council are
then looking to start this work in parallel with stabilising the hillside and
removing the material that has been washed down the Bealach, with the aim being
to repair and reopen the original road once this is completed.
We
would suggest that any customers visiting their boats in the coming weeks are
aware of the road conditions at the time of travelling and plan and re-route
journeys accordingly by checking for updates with Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot and on the Argyll and Bute Council website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/service-status
CHANDLERY AND OFFICE OPENING
During this period of disruption, due to the difficulties for staff travelling in and out of Ardfern, we may have to close the chandlery on some Sundays, the first one being this Sunday 22nd October. However, rest assured that boats and the yard will be checked during the day.
In between the challenging weather conditions, James and the workshop team are progressing well in getting boats ashore for the winter, along with getting winter maintenance jobs well under way.
As
always we thank you for your patience with these trying matters and hope you
have had an enjoyable 2023 boating season with us at Ardfern.
Andrew
and Joanna Ashton and all the team at Ardfern.
Thursday 23 March 2023
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Thursday 15 September 2022
Ardfern Yacht Centre will be closed on Monday 19th September.
Ardfern Yacht Centre will be closed on Monday 19th September
Following the announcement that Her Majesty the Queen's State Funeral will be taking place on Monday 19th September, as a mark of respect, our marina office and chandlery will close at 10:00am for the rest of the day, while the workshop will be closed all day.
Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.
Wednesday 13 April 2022
AYC NEW FACILITY BLOCK NOW OPEN FOR EASTER 2022
AYC NEW FACILITY BLOCK NOW OPEN FOR EASTER 2022
The all-new customer facilities block at Ardfern, which includes new toilets, showers and laundry facilities will open on Thursday 14th April in time for the Easter weekend.
Along with cosmetic and heating improvements, the new much improved modern facility sees larger and extra showers in both washrooms, together with separate staff facilities, while in the larger laundry there is a new drying and washing machine now in place. The ice machine will also be located in the laundry and will be returning following a major refurbishment shortly after Easter.Improved washrooms see additional showers
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our all-local building and plumbing team, Aidan Gregory and Alex Samborek, along with all their staff and contractors, who have provided an excellent service to Ardfern over the winter months in tackling the project, often in the worst of Argyll’s weather, and for completing the build in such a timely manner so that it is ready for Easter.
Entry to the new building is now by access code, with permanent customers and visiting yacht crews able to obtain the current code from the chandlery staff on arrival.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to Ardfern this spring and summer and hope you enjoy using our new facilities.
Andrew and Joanna Ashton and all the team at Ardfern.
Monday 27 September 2021
AYC NEW FACILITY BLOCK BUILDING NOW UNDERWAY
AYC NEW FACILITY BLOCK BUILDING NOW UNDERWAY
At long last we will be making a start to our new toilet, shower and laundry facilities block this week.
With this in mind we now have a temporary Portakabin providing toilet and shower facilities located next to the workshop for staff and customers to use. Unfortunately during the demolition of the old facilities block and building of the new block we will be unable to offer laundry facilities due to space restrictions.
The old block has now been cleared out and locked and it will be fenced off this week in order for the demolition of parts of the old building to take place and to allow the footings to be dug out for the extension. This will also mean that car parking in front of the chandlery area will be very limited to allow space for skips and building equipment etc.
We apologise for the disruption over the next few winter and early spring months while the works take place and thank you all for your patience and understanding while the build is underway.
However, we do look forward to bringing you all a much improved more modern facility at Ardfern for the summer 2022 season.
Andrew and Joanna Ashton.
Monday 16 August 2021
ASSISTANT WORKSHOP MANAGER - JOB OPPORTUNITY
Ardfern Yacht Centre - Now Recruiting |
ASSISTANT WORKSHOP MANAGER
Due to internal promotion, we are now seeking to employ a new Assistant
Workshop Manager.
The successful applicant should be familiar with the basics of boating
and will assist the Workshop Manager in continuing to provide the high level of
service currently offered to customers in our busy boat maintenance and repair
workshop. Previous workshop or
engineering experience would be an advantage, but not essential as training can
be given.
Competitive salary dependent on experience.
For further information including an application form, please contact
Andrew Ashton by email at andrew@ardfernyacht.co.uk
Closing Date 6th September 2021.