Argyll’s thriving marine science sector is to benefit from a range of road improvements planned at a nearby village.
Argyll and Bute Council has approved a start-up budget of £240,000 towards the project at Dunbeg, near Oban.
Lorn Road and Kirk Road will be widened, improving the junction, cycleway and footpath.
The new road will allow for the futher development of the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the European Marine Science Park at Dunstaffnage, and will provide access for 100 houses to be built at Dunbeg.
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.
“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.”
Chairman of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “At this stage it is envisaged that the work will begin at some point in 2016, although it’s not possible to give a more accurate date as we need to purchase an area of land before the construction work can go ahead.”
The start-up budget will pay for 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.