Dangers on the road at Fionnphort

Sir,

I write to request that a robust review is carried out on the logistics and safety of traffic, both foot and vehicular, heading for the Fionnphort to Iona ferry.

There are regularly near misses as hundreds of pedestrians alight from the coaches and pay absolute no heed to any other traffic on the road. A major reason for this is that the footpath is across the road from where the coaches park. Pedestrians then need to cross the road again to carry on using a footpath as it continues on the opposite side of the busiest part of the road.

This is not only a logistical nightmare as delivery vans, the mail van and other services risk missing the ferry but encourages pedestrians to simply use the road as a footpath, which is an extreme safety issue.

To further add to traffic on the road, the newly installed parking meters do not accept the new £1 coins and so there are regularly dozens of individuals walking up and down the road looking for a solution to avoid incurring a penalty. I understand that there are plans to redevelop both Fionnphort and Iona slips but many individuals fear this will be too late a change.

The absolutely shambolic state of the free car park in Fionnphort simply exacerbates issues as visitors cannot use it and have to resort to parking on the road, which dangerously reduces access for emergency service vehicles.

The area is like this almost every day and it is simply not acceptable. Until the area is made safe, manageable and fit for purpose, it can only be assumed that Argyll and Bute Council is happy to gamble with people having an accident against the cost of providing adequate and safe traffic measures and pedestrian access.

Having been informed that other traffic calming/controlling measures on Mull have been delayed as other areas in the council region have a higher priority, it would be irresponsible and negligent of the council to ignore these concerns. I look forward to working on a productive solution to these issues raised by the residents and businesses of the Ross of Mull and Iona.