Argyll councillors yesterday agreed to introduce charges at two Oban car parks – despite a last-ditch attempt to derail the plans.
And parking fees at Ganavan beach car park will be increased from seasonal to all year round.
In other changes, the first 30 minutes parking in the town centre on George Street, Corran Esplanade, William Street, Queens Park Place and Argyll Square will be free.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee yesterday agreed to progress the traffic regulation orders for on and off street parking to the final stage.
SNP councillors Julie McKenzie and Jim Lynch called for a public hearing to take place before a final decision was taken, but other councillors did not support their amendments.
The proposals attracted 54 objections in total, with motorists claiming that off street parking permits are too expensive at £475 a year, public transport provision is poor and there could be a knock-on effect on residential streets.
Members of the public were also concerned about disabled access and Sunday charging, among other issues.
Councillor McKenzie said: “I move that we go to a public hearing to take into account the widespread public objection.
“We have all had letters from various members of the community about this. It’s only fair we allow this to go to a public hearing so that people can raise these objections and we as councillors get a chance to speak to them.”
However the majority of councillors agreed with the officer’s recommendation to make the traffic orders.
Traffic and development manager Stuart Watson told councillors that most of the objectors’ points had been answered by officers.
Ganavan Car Park will change from seasonal to all-year charging and Longsdale and Lochavullin Car Parks will go from free to pay and display.
At all three car parks the first two hours will be free with standard charges thereafter, Monday to Saturday 9am – 6pm. Sundays will be free in the morning, with charging from 1-6pm.
Mr Watson said that the Mossfield area remains free parking and that council staff members are currently working on business cases for additional car parks in Oban, at Dungallan and Millpark.
