Parking concerns
COMMUNITY councillors fear the council’s planned changes to parking charges in Oban will make parking problems worse.
THE COUNCIL’S planned changes to parking charges in Oban would make the problem worse, argue ‘disappointed’ Oban community councillors, writes Sandy Neil.
Argyll and Bute Council’s consultation on new parking charges closed on Friday. The changes aim to help drivers find a parking space by increasing turnover, help blue badge holders park where they need to, and reduce inconsiderate parking.
The draft new Traffic Regulation Order proposes making the first 30 minutes free on George Street, Corran Esplanade, William Street, Queen’s Park Place and Argyll Square, but also imposing charges on Gallanach Road (sailing club to Brandy Rock) and Ganavan Road (from Glenrigh to War Memorial) 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 1pm to 6pm Sunday. Charges on all existing on-street pay and display bays will also extend to Sunday afternoons.
Three car parks at Longsdale (Atlantis), Lochavullin and Ganavan would have charges applying all year, Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm, with the first two hours free and thereafter 30 pence for 15 minutes and £1 for an hour.
Oban Community Council presented its draft response at its meeting last week.
Community councillor Duncan Martin said the plans showed a ‘lack of ambition’.
‘There are at least four distinct parking needs in Oban,’ Mr Martin explained: ‘short-term parking for those with business in the town; parking for residents and for visitors to town centre hotels; all day parking for those employed in the town centre; and long-stay parking for ferry passengers and crew. The town deserves a comprehensive plan for all of these.
‘There is a major problem of chaotic or ‘wild’ parking in the areas outside the present controlled area. The proposals can only make things much worse, as longstay vehicles are displaced from the off- and on-street areas currently available. These proposals can only work in tandem with a substantial residents-only parking zone surrounding the controlled areas in these proposals.
‘One issue which contributes to the chaos is that there is no website which describes the parking opportunities in Oban. We suggest the council work with BIDS to create an Oban parking website, with a map of the various zones, and links to the private sector providers.’
Mr Martin also urged the council to provide free parking areas for island residents who keep their vehicles on-shore and increase the free period in Lochavullin car park to three hours with simpler flat daily £5 charge charging thereafter.
He concluded: ‘We have no objections to the principles of the proposals, but they are incomplete and as such are likely to merely shift the problem (longstay parking by ferry passengers and crew) into other parts of the town. Oban deserves a proper solution. Whether this is a central multi-storey or a park and ride is a matter for discussion.’