A COUNCILLOR has pleaded for progress to allow football teams to use the playing fields at Tarbert once again.
Councillor Anne Horn (SNP, Kintyre and the Islands) asked a council official for an update on work at the playing fields, where a pump has been installed to fight flooding issues.
A public meeting in February saw answers demanded after storms and heavy rain left much of the playing fields unusable.
Councillor Horn also claimed that local football teams are having to travel to Campbeltown, 37 miles away, or Lochgilphead, 13 miles away, to fulfil home fixtures.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee on Wednesday, March 4.
Mark Calder, the council’s project manager, said presenting an initial report: “There have been issues with flooding at Tarbert playing fields.
“The team has been progressing with the installation of a new pump, and I believe that has been working quite well.”
Councillor Horn then said: “Work has been done to stabilise the area and I am sure that will continue to be monitored. Thank you to the staff for coming out to do that.
“But children cannot have any games on the football field, and I would appreciate some work being done that can rectify that.
“Our young people are having to go to other areas to play home games, which results in an additional cost to them to go to Campbeltown or Lochgilphead.
“So much work has been done to rectify the flooding issues, and there will be ongoing discussion about the damage to the changing rooms from the flooding.”
Mr Calder said: “Obviously the priority was the flooding issues, but if there is potential improvement that can be scoped out, then I am sure that work is ongoing. I will keep you updated.”
