Local councillors today (Tuesday 20th October) decided that Argyll and Bute Council would focus its efforts on delivering a permanent transit berthing facility in Oban, on the north side of the North Pier.

Over the summer, following positive discussions with local interest group Oban Bay Marine (OBM) Ltd., the council identified a deliverable scheme which could be in place for summer 2017.

Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, Oban-based Councillor Roddy McCuish, endorsed today’s decision, saying: ‘’We are delighted to have identified a clear way forward which will provide the outcome everyone wants – a permanent transit berthing facility in a technically suitable location.

‘’This is a clear demonstration of the council working in partnership with the community towards a positive outcome which benefits everyone. We are looking forward to seeing this project taking shape in the coming months as it goes through our normal, evidence-based decision making process, ensuring that any investment we make will have real long-term economic benefits to the people of Oban and surrounding areas.

‘’Officers will now begin work on a permanent solution, gathering more technical information to produce detailed designs and costings which will form the basis of a full business case. The business case will then be considered by members before we move to the next stage – securing a suitably experienced and well qualified contractor.

‘’To allow cruise passengers to access the town next summer we will be doing what worked so well this year – removing and re-siting the fence on the Oban Times slip, doubling its capacity and creating a ‘meet and greet’ area for visitors.

‘’We are focussed on delivering a long-term, permanent transit berthing facility.’’

*****ENDS*****