A council has come under fire after yachts were caught using its multi-million pound pontoon development free of charge – and before it has officially opened.
The Oban Transit Berthing Facility, alongside a maritime visitor centre currently under construction, represents a £3.1million investment by Argyll and Bute Council.
It is hoped the scheme will provide an economic boost to the town, but existing marinas have called it a threat to their business.
While the council expects to open the facility “later this summer”, boats have already started using it free of charge and against the authority’s advice.
And with West Highland Yachting Week well underway, the council has been accused of missing an opportunity.
MSP for Argyll and Bute, Michael Russell, said: “The council has to be very clear to local council tax payers what the situation is.
“If they [the pontoons] are unsafe, they must prevent their use. If they are safe and people are using them for free, that goes against the whole commercial nature of the project.
“They have missed an opportunity with West Highland Week.”
A council spokesman responded that vessels have been advised not to use the facility until the project has been completed.
He added: “The council will take possession of the facility when the works are complete.”
Councillor Julie McKenzie has written an open letter to Pippa Milne, executive director of Development and Infrastructure, asking a series of questions including when the facility will open.
Cllr McKenzie said: “It is of utmost concern to me that, although the marina isn’t open yet, vessels appear to be tying up alongside the breakwater and the pontoons and using the facility free of charge. This without doubt raises serious questions in relation to health and safety.”
Gary Adams, owner of Oban Marina across the bay on Kerrera, said: “It’s disappointing to us to see boats using the facility without any management. Clearly, this is not safe.
“Having invested £3million and with West Highland Week underway, I would suggest it is incredibly disappointing for tax payers of Argyll and Bute that the council hasn’t managed to get it open yet.”
The council spokesman said: “Work on developing Oban’s transit berthing facility is progressing well. We are now working on the utility connections and navigational set up.
“This initiative is all about supporting the local economy and we welcome the widespread local support shown for it.
“It is on track to open, as a facility Oban can be proud of, later this summer.”
