Oban residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to get involved in a drop-in event to update them on progress regarding the town’s CHORD plans.

The event, which is open to everyone, will take place in Station Square on Wednesday, September 7 from 11am to 7pm, weather permitting.

An alternative venue will be arranged if the weather is poor. People are being asked to check the council’s website for updated details regarding a venue.

The Oban CHORD project team will be on hand all day to discuss proposals and the work already underway, including the Oban Action Plan refresh.

Maps and plans will be available for those taking part to discuss with the project team, and help them to contribute their own thoughts to the process.

 As part of the event, three Oban ‘walkabout’ tours will take place. The tours are scheduled for 12 noon, 2.30p.m and 5.30p.m and will allow participants the chance to highlight problems and opportunities to the project team. 

The tour is anticipated to last one hour and will be followed by a 30 minute question and answer session.

Those taking part in the walkabouts are asked to arrive 10 minutes beforethe scheduled start time and make themselves known to the project team.

The drop-in event is being carried out as part of Argyll and Bute Council’s £30 million CHORD programme, designed to regenerate the waterfronts of five key towns – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, and Dunoon.

The project being taken forward in the Oban area aims to ease traffic congestion in the town centre and reconfigure the Oban Bay/Harbour area to better meet the needs of users.  It will also refresh the Oban Action Plan and develop the transport interchange.

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, chair of the Oban CHORD project board, said: “I would encourage all those who are able to take part in this event to do so.

“It is vital to the overall success of the Oban CHORD project that it takes account of the views of those most affected by it – the town’s residents, visitors and businesses.

“This is an ideal opportunity for people to get more involved. So whether you would like more information on where we are with CHORD, or would like to quiz the project team on particular aspects of it, or would like a guided walk around the town to show what is being proposed and where, I would recommend that you take part in this event.

“The views of those involved will of course be taken account of as the project progresses.”

Further information about the project can be found on Argyll and Bute Council’s website at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/chord-project/oban-bay-harbour-project. 

Please note the Oban Walkabout tour will involve approximately one hour of walking around the Oban Bay and town centre areas.  Participants should ensure they are appropriately dressed and fit for this activity.