Argyll and Bute Councillors have approved a budget of about £240,000 for the Lorn/Kirk Road project - a road-widening improvement and cycleway/footpath venture facilitating the development of marine science facilities at Dunstaffnage.

Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: "I am delighted that this project is moving along as it will, eventually, have real benefits for the economy both around Oban and across the council area. The improved road, which will include a new section and a mini-roundabout, will mean that it’s far easier to get to the marine science facilities in Dunstaffnage. The council warmly welcomes the new developments there and is eager to play its part in helping these businesses grow even further. What we are trying to do is grow the economy and population of Argyll and Bute, create the right conditions for new employment opportunities and improve the lives of our residents.

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"This start-up budget represents around 10% of the overall capital cost of the project and it now allows us to do all the initial preparatory work to get the project to shovel-ready stage, doing all the necessary survey work and economic impact assessments which are part of the council’s robust, evidence based approach to big investment decisions, ensuring that the project will have the benefits we hope before committing the remainder of the money."

Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, Oban-based Councillor Roddy McCuish, added: "This is really good news and will allow us to take the first steps to unlocking the full development potential of the marine science facilities at Dunstaffnage. If we make it easier and safer for people to get there it will surely allow for those businesses to grow, creating more well-paying jobs in the Oban area.

"I look forward to seeing the full business case in September we will base our next investment decision on, only investing the rest of the money if we are sure it will have the real, tangible economic benefits that the area needs. I’m pleased that we have this decision making framework in place, ensuring that it goes through the local area committee first before coming to policy and resources for final approval, ensuring we best meet the needs of Oban and Lorn but also of the Argyll and Bute council area as a whole."

The start-up budget announced will go towards ground investigations; preliminary design and survey work; design input from Scottish Water and BT; road design drawings; planning applications and other statutory consents; an environmental impact study; property acquisition and an economic impact assessment. Work is due to begin in 2016.

(IT/CD)