Quick hit hopes for congested Tobermory

Quick hits and short-term fixes for Tobermory’s parking problems were discussed at a positive working group meeting in the town, writes Kathie Griffiths.

Mull councillor MaryJean Devon, pictured, said everyone came away feeling council officers had listened to them at Friday’s meeting.

Yellow lines and signs, including one banning campervans from parking in the Main Street were just some of the ideas suggested so far to tackle the busy tourist town’s congestion in peak season times.

Timelines and expectations about solutions were also voiced, with top roads and parking officers from Argyll and Bute Council due to report back within three weeks on what can be done and with what budget before the 2020 season starts.

‘It was a very positive meeting, we all came away feeling the council was listening to us. We should hear back in the next two to three weeks what short-term fixes and quick hits can happen and what we can spend on the budget. In the meantime, we are working out what our priorities will be,’ said Councillor Devon.

The working group, set up in September to find a way of freeing up the saturated Main Street includes council infrastructure officers, police and community representatives. It followed warnings from town leaders that Tobermory was ‘in crisis’ and was ‘waiting on an accident to happen’. The entrance to Ledaig car park has also been flagged up as being dangerous and in need of improvement.