Congestion adds to traffic problems in Oban

ONE of the arguments over safety on the A85 is the wait to get into town.

Some people say the backlog might be alleviated if there were more places for people to park.

Now that Argyll and Bute Council has opened its multi-million-pound project for berthing boats, is it time to focus on improving the length of hold-ups on the A85?

Oban Times reader Ian Fletcher raised the matter on social media, saying: ‘Now that we’ve got somewhere to park our yachts, maybe we could get a multi-storey car park for our cars.’

Councillor Roddy McCuish has long advocated cash from the parking revenue should go to Kilmory, but any excess should be put into the town to improve infrastructure.

In the past he has wanted to see a multi-storey car park to remove some of the vehicles from the streets.

The council has released a parking consultation, due to finish on August 18, that will see the introduction of the first 30 minutes free in bays on George Street (A85 trunk), Corran Esplanade (A85 trunk), William Street, Queens Park Place and Argyll Square, after which standard charges apply.

There will be an introduction of on-street parking charges on Gallanach Road (sailing club to Brandy Rock) and Ganavan Road (from Glenrigh to the war memorial) with charges applying 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 6pm on a Sunday.

Parking charges will be introduced to all existing on-street pay and display bays on Sundays between the hours of 1pm and 6pm. Campervans will not be allowed to park in the town centre.

Sign up to our petition at change.org Stay Alive on the A85 and tell us what you think of the parking charges and whether it will improve traffic movements through the town.