COUNCIL officials “should be completely embarrassed” by the time taken to address traffic management issues in Campbeltown, a councillor has said.
Councillor Jennifer Kean (Independent, South Kintyre) said that she had been contacted before a meeting by residents concerned about traffic management at Castlehill Primary School.
She also remarked that it was “embarrassing” for her to raise the issue of local traffic management having done so at a previous meeting nine months ago.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee on Wednesday, September 3.
Councillor Kean said: “It is embarrassing for me to bring this up, because last time the [area] committee met in South Kintyre, in December 2024, I was assured a resolution would be put in place.
“I appreciate that it has been lumped in as a whole for the council, but the issue with traffic management in Campbeltown has gone on for a ridiculous amount of time. The service should be completely embarrassed at the time it has taken.
“Castlehill is a massive safety issue. West Coast Motors find that there are cars parking in bus bays, which is causing major issues in the morning and afternoon at pick-up time.
“I have brought this up time and time again, and I would like assurance from the council service that something is going to be done.”
Tom Murphy, the council’s operations manager, responded: “Apologies that you have waited so long. I know from speaking to network and standards that they have been talking about a seminar covering traffic management across all areas.
“But I will take back your concerns and ensure you get some sort of update.”
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) then said: “Can you ask for an urgent answer please? As Councillor Kean said, this has been asked before.”
Councillor Kean then asked Councillor Armour: “I know that at the December meeting, we discussed a meeting among the three South Kintyre members, but that has never come to fruition.
“They are looking at it in a wider sense, but we as local members need to look at it on the ground.”
Councillor Armour responded: “One of our staff has been on long-term absence, so we have not been able to progress as quickly as we could like to.
“We could have a meeting, but it is not something to come to the members. We need ideas put forward and we will move it on as best we can.”
