Ian harbours parking plans for Tarbert
OPINIONS vary about vehicle parking in Tarbert, but there is one man with a clear idea about what needs to be done.
Well-known Tarbert retailer Ian MacIntyre believes part of the harbour should be infilled to provide parking for both cars and tour buses.
Mr MacIntyre has written to Argyll and Bute Council with his proposals to extend the village’s parking provision which, he said, was particularly needed during the various festivals and events in Tarbert.
‘Tarbert Harbour Authority has kept pace with the increasing de- mand for yacht berthing spaces,’ said Mr MacIntyre, a second-generation shopkeeper on Harbour Street. ‘Regrettably, however, Argyll and Bute Council has failed to provide the car parking facilities necessary to cope with today’s car visitor traffic. Tour buses used to be an almost daily part of Tarbert’s tourist scene. On the odd occasion that one arrives now, the driver may have to double park in order to discharge passengers.’
In his letter to the council, Mr MacIntyre writes: ‘Some time ago it was reported that Argyll and Bute Council had allocated funding to upgrade facilities in harbour-front towns. Despite having (arguably) the safest and a uniquely attractive harbour on the west coast of Scotland, Tarbert was not included.’
Offering examples of projects involving seafront reclamation for parking at Tobermory, Dunoon and Helensburgh, Mr MacIntyre said: ‘The seabed is exposed at low tide in the area I’m talking about, so it’s of little use to boats. There is no reason we couldn’t do it in Tarbert.’
Claiming the Loch Fyne-side village’s potential as a major tourist centre is being seriously restricted, Mr MacIntyre concluded: ‘Tarbert’s hotels, cafes, retail shops and other businesses are all losers.’
Councillor Anne Horn is familiar with Mr MacIntyre’s proposals, and agreed there are difficulties. Councillor Horn said: ‘There is a problem with people parking illegally, particularly outside the Co-operative and pharmacy, and this is dangerous.
She added: ‘Financing the proposal would be, and always has been, a hurdle.’
Community councillor Bob Chicken said: ‘Both the Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust, the community council and the harbour authority are very aware of the problem of parking in Tarbert and I am sure that between them a solution will be found. Ian’s plan is just one of a number of ideas which have been discussed.’
Earlier this year Argyll and Bute Council held a public consultation on parking proposals for Mid-Argyll and Kintyre. A spokesman for the authority said: ‘We have had around 100 responses to our parking consultation. We will be using them to inform our final plans, which will be presented to members of the local area committee in due course.’
Tarbert Harbour Authority owns most of the area in question, and The Advertiser contacted the authority for its thoughts on Mr MacIntyre’s suggestion.
With staff shortages and a very busy marina to manage, the authority was unable to compile a response but The Advertiser will publish any views offered by the harbour authority in due course.