A problem with parking at one of Argyll’s beauty spots must be resolved before next spring, a community council has warned.
Over the past few summers as many as 26 campervans were counted at Ganavan beach, near Oban, on any one night.
While people want to welcome tourists to the town, there is a strict no overnight parking rule by the beach. There are no facilities exist for large numbers to be accommodated at the beach front car park.
Ganavan, to the south of the Oban, is one of only a few green public spaces in the town.
Oban Community Council is seeking a meeting with the town’s area committee and Argyll and Bute Council’s head of roads to make sure 2023 was “more managed”.
Disappointed with lack of enforcement
Community councillor Dougie Graham, who runs a snack bar at Ganavan, said he was hugely disappointed with the lack of enforcement from the council.
He said: “People are using the area at night to park up campervans, and we are rocking in their dozens. The area can not cope. There are not enough toilets and there are certainly not enough places for people to stay overnight.
“People are emptying their toilets and some mornings I have even found people sleeping under the canoe store.
“The police have been called on a number of occasions, for anti-social behaviour. One man was lifted for running about with an axe.
“The area needs to be managed and patrolled by police.”
Frank Roberts, chairman of Oban Community Council, said the area simply needed to be enforced.
He said: “I think it goes beyond Ganavan, the whole town is in chaos because it simply is not enforced. It is very serious, and it is a health hazard.
“I don’t think it is necessary to spend any great capital or have any big project – just simply enforce the rules that we have set out.”
Mr Roberts, who took over the chairmanship in October, continued: “I think the problem is wider than Ganavan, there is congestion throughout the town and it is all down to having a lack of enforcement in the town.
“We have all heard stories of traffic warden who see the problems and rarely do anything about them.
“That said, last week I did see an enforcement officer handing out a ticket on George Street.
“So it can be done, let’s just see more of it at Ganavan and with poor parking in town.”
‘Difficult balance to strike’
Parking meters at Ganavan and in Oban costs £1 an hour during the day, charges end at 6pm. There is a sign that states no overnight parking.
A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said: “Our parking wardens are deployed across Argyll and Bute on a rotating schedule.
“With limited resources and a large geographic area to cover, it is a difficult balance to strike but we continue to deliver reasonable and appropriate enforcement throughout the area.”
She added: “Argyll and Bute is a fantastic place to visit and the majority of visitors who come here behave responsibly, which we really appreciate.
“We continue to urge visitors to use official campsites, to help support the local economy as well as protect their own health and the health of local communities.”
Speaking of a previous idea to erect a barrier at Ganavan, she continued: “A report detailing plans for a car park barrier went before the Oban, Lorn and Isles Area Committee and Oban Community Council.
“Members requested this to be withdrawn following local community feedback.”
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