There was considerable comment in response to Oban Times columnist Martin Laing criticising Argyll and Bute Council for the decision to approve an oil depot at Ledaig, close to Oban Airport and a travellers’ site.
Craig Somerville questioned: ‘What about the oil depot on the pier in Oban. It is right next door to a ferry terminal, railway station and numerous restaurants. Or Connel, next to a large hotel and railway station. It seems some people don’t want employment opportunities or fair competition. Or is it just one or two people stirring it up for their own ends.’
Alan Duncan-Smith agreed: ‘Exactly Craig. Maybe the councillors could use the phrase ‘blast area’ a few more times – this is heating oil, not dynamite. Thousands of homes in Argyll have smaller oil tanks right next to their houses without having to be aware of their ‘blast area’. No wonder the travellers are worried with this sort of nonsense going about.’