Argyll and Bute Council has unveiled proposals for the creation of a new Municipal Harbour Authority in Oban, calling for feedback to a six-week statutory public consultation from Thursday 30 November.

The council is already the Harbour Authority for Oban North Pier, and while CMAL/CalMac and Northern Lighthouse all have responsibility for separate areas within the bay, the approaches in and out of the bay are currently unregulated. The council therefore wants to establish a Harbour Authority so that it can enforce positive safety measures.

Members of the Argyll and Bute Harbour Board approved a draft Harbour Revision Order (HRO) for submission to Transport Scotland in August this year, and the consultation is the next part of that process. The consultation will run from 30 November until 10 January.

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The council's Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure, Councillor Andrew Kain, said: "The progression of the HRO is an important step in improving management arrangements for Oban Bay. The six-week consultation is a vital part of that process and it needs to progress expeditiously to ensure the HRO is in place as soon as possible in accordance with the broad consensus of parties.

"We have been careful to balance the need to progress the Harbour Order with the need to make sure that the six-week consultation period did not begin or end during either the Christmas or New Year holidays. Many people are off work during the festive break, and we hope that this timing will enable them to take the time to read the document and contribute.

"We have already carried out extensive public consultation on the need and arrangements for an HRO. We have worked and engaged with all interested parties to reach this point and we are committed to working with all who have an interest in Oban Bay to establish the HRO as effectively as possible. I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Oban Harbour to have their say on the consultation."

The consultation will commence on Thursday 30 November. Information about how to take part will be available here: Oban Municipal Harbour | Argyll and Bute Council