Argyll And Bute Council has announced a £1.4 million redevelopment of Jackson's Quarry Roads Depot in Oban.

The work, which is already underway, will allow all essential operational services for Oban, Lorn and the Isles to be delivered from one single, main site. Everything is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

Luddon Construction Ltd is the main contractor and will be using local subcontractors throughout the project. The local economy will be further boosted by workers using local accommodation. There will also be employment for one, local unemployed person during the contract.

Local young people will be shown the opportunities available through a career in construction and engineering, thanks to the offer of a four-week work experience placement for two school pupils; and a site visit for a class from a local school once the project is complete.

The main elements of the project include:

• a brand new four-bay fleet workshop to keep the council's vehicles (bin lorries; roads equipment; gritters etc.) on the road;

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• a modern office and meeting room facility for all Oban-based operational services staff; and

• an expansion of the overall site, with new hard-standing, drainage etc, to create a parking area for all vehicles.

Pulling together all the council's operations into one site will not only join up services, but also free up the Mill Park depot site for development. The contract value for the new depot development is covered by the council's insurance following the fire at Mill Park.

While work is going on, the Mill Park site will be used for storage and vehicle parking. In the future, the council will explore how best to develop it as a business and industry site.

Councillor Ellen Morton, Depute Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, said: "It takes a lot of time and planning to get to this stage and I would like to thank everyone for their hard work.

"Bringing all our teams together in one place will help us to deliver our services more efficiently and more effectively. It will create some much-needed development land for Oban which will help local businesses grow and succeed, and bring much needed jobs to Argyll and Bute."

Jordan Keatings, Divisional Manager of Luddon Construction Ltd, also said: "Luddon Construction is delighted to have been appointed as the main contractor for the redevelopment works at the council's Jackson's Quarry Depot.

"As work gets underway, and throughout the construction period, we will make every effort to minimise or avoid disruption to the local community, while at the same time keeping them up to date with the construction plans and developments.

"We intend to engage with local labour, contractors and suppliers for much of the resource requirements of the project."

(MH/JG)