PEOPLE in Oban are invited to give their views on parking charge proposals in the town.

Some changes are proposed in a bid to make it easier for drivers to find a space by increasing turnover of use, safeguard access for blue badge holders and reduce inappropriate or inconsiderate parking, improving road safety.

Residents, businesses and visitors have until 1 September to give the Council feedback.

The response period has been extended two weeks beyond the usual time allocated due to the busy summer tourist season in Oban.

It follows a parking review across the Argyll and Bute Council area and a decision by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee to put forward proposals to improve on-street parking in Oban.

Policy Lead for Roads and Amenities, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “These proposals are intended to make it easier for people to find a parking space in our busy, popular town, reduce people not parking properly, and help people who have a blue badge can park where they need to.

“We welcome people’s views and I would encourage them to let us know what they think.”

The proposals in the draft new Traffic Regulation Order include:

On-street parking: 

• Introduce the first 30 minutes free to bays on George Street (A85 trunk), Corran Esplanade (A85 trunk), William Street, Queen’s Park Place and Argyll Square. Standard charges to apply afterwards
• Introduce on-street parking charges on Gallanach Road (sailing club to Brandy Rock) and Ganavan Road (from Glenrigh to War Memorial) with charges applying 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 6pm Sunday
• Introduce parking charges to all of the existing on-street pay and display bays on Sundays between  1pm and 6pm.

The existing order will also be updated to make it clearer that only cars, dual purpose vehicles, motorcycles and vehicles displaying a blue badge are permitted to park in on-street parking bays.

Off-street parking:

• Introduce parking charges in Longsdale (Atlantis) and Lochavullin car parks
• Amend the existing charging regime in Ganavan car park
• All three car parks to have charges applying all year round, Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm
• Tariff to be first two hours free and thereafter 15 minutes 30 pence; 30 minutes 50 pence; 45 minutes 80 pence and one hour £1

 Residents can read the full set of proposals for the Traffic Regulation Order.

Anyone who wants to make their views known should put these in writing to the Head of Governance and Law, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT, by 1 September.