Concerns at a government body’s plans to take full control of Oban Bay are being discussed at a public meeting.
Business, tourism and community representatives are concerned at CMAL’s (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd) proposal to become the single harbour authority.
CMAL owns the terminal and the ferries operated by CalMac on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Bid4Oban, Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance and Port of Oban Cruise Group say there has not been enough public consultation.
They also believe control of the harbour should not be in the hands of a single interest and prefer the idea of a harbour trust.
A public meeting is to be held at the Corran Halls in Oban at 6pm tomorrow (wed). The proposal by CMAL to apply for a Harbour Revision Order will be explained. Lorna Spencer, director of harbours for CMAL, will answer questions.
Andrew Spence, chief executive of Bid4Oban, said: “We would urge all members of the public and businesses representatives to attend as access to Oban Bay must be maintained by pleasure and leisure craft, kayakers, dive boats and commercial operators as well as Caledonian McBrayne’s ferry fleet.
“BID4Oban is calling upon Argyll and Bute Council, a member of Oban Bay Management Group (OBMG), to pause the CMAL proposal to create a Harbour Revision Order until the concerns have been addressed.”
The OBMG is a partnership between the three main infrastructure providers in Oban Bay including CMAL, Northern Lighthouse Board and the council. The group also includes representation from Calmac and a local stakeholder group.
Traffic using the bay has continued to increase in the last decade.
The OBMG decided that a single harbour authority is necessary to reduce risk from increased traffic, to improve marine safety, and enhance the commercial viability of the harbour. CMAL is believed to be the best option.
Lorna Spencer, chairwoman of OBMG said: “We need to implement measures to improve navigational safety and to facilitate that most effectively, we need a statutory harbour authority that is responsible for the whole Oban bay area.
“This has been the subject of long-held discussions. In the interests of safeguarding users of the bay, including fishing and leisure boats, ferries, cruise vessels and other operators, as well as businesses and visitors in the area, we need to press ahead with a new arrangement.
“If people and groups in the local community want to set up a trust harbour, they will have our support and the statutory harbour arrangements will be reconsidered if one is established.”
