A £2.75million road widening scheme to improve access to Dunbeg village near Oban and allow expansion of the thriving marine science businesses there, took an important step forward yesterday.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee recommended the drawing down of £238,100 for the development of a full business case for the project.
The roadworks at Lorn Road and Kirk Road are part the Lorn Arc, an ambitious plan by the council to invest £18.89million in new infrastructure to attract companies to the area.
The projects include access to the Scottish Association of Marine Science (Sams) centre and the European Marine Science Park at Dunbeg, measures to improve port and marine facilities at Oban and and Barcaldine and access upgrades at Oban Airport.
The council believes building the infrastructure will attract firms to the area, and the extra business rates generated will be used to repay the £18.89million loan from the Scottish Government.
Yesterday’s decision to recommend the business case funding for approval, will go to the council’s policy and resources committee for final approval.
Councillor Roddy McCuish, chairman of Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, said: “I am delighted that the area committee unanimously approved the draw down of funds to move forward the business case to be approved at a future policy and resources committee at Kilmory.
“This shows great intentions of us moving forward with the Lorn Arc which is vital not just to Dunbeg but to the whole of Oban Lorn and the Isles.”
Councillor Neil MacIntyre added: “You don’t get anything unless you put something forward. Doing something is better than doing nothing. No-one can guarantee anything in life but hopefully if we put money down and invest in the infrastructure, business will grow. If we don’t invest anything we are not going to get anything. We need it for housing, we need it for jobs.”