Moving towards having one or more statutory authority controlling the entirety of Oban Bay took another step forward yesterday (2 September).
Improving the long term functioning of the harbour is behind the drive to move to a harbour authority arrangement. A number of options are available for doing this.
Decisions made by the Argyll and Bute Harbour Board, mean that all options can be considered. It was agreed that, in principle, Argyll and Bute Council’s assets at North Pier, could be made available for use by another party in operating the Bay. A full appraisal of all options will be considered at a Board meeting, convened specifically to consider the Bay, in December.
Councillor Rory Colville, Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure Services, said:
“There are a number of possible routes for Oban Bay’s future. These decisions accelerate progress in establishing a single authority for the Bay, and allow for all options to be fully developed. Today’s decisions are about reaching the right option for Oban, its communities and businesses in the longer term.”
Oban Harbour is at present jointly managed by Argyll and Bute Council with support from CalMac Ferries, the Northern Lighthouse Board and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. These organisations work together in the Oban Bay Management Group to ensure navigational safety in Oban Bay and approaches..