A major infrastructure upgrading project in Campbeltown will support Kintyre's growing renewables industry.

Road access, berthing and quay facilities were improved in the town, to allow easy access for component parts to manufacturers by road and sea.

The Kintyre Renewables Hub was devised three years ago in recognition of the expansion of Wind Towers (Scotland) Ltd's factory at Machrihanish.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the £12m project anticipates that onshore and offshore wind renewables will be developed in the area.

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The harbour was dredged an additional five metres to a depth of nine metres to allow berthing of larger vessels, and roads were widened where they connected the town to the company.

The scheme involved the redesign of Campbeltown's former Park Square - now Aqualibrium Avenue - to permit easy access of the long vehicles transporting components to and from the quay.

Argyll and Bute Council began working on this project in 2009 in partnership with URS Scott Wilson, its design consultant for the marine works.

Other national and local contractors have been engaged including BAM Nuttall, TAL, Storie (Argyll) Limited and McFadyens Contractors (Campbeltown).

Project management of the marine works has been undertaken by Mace.

Overhead wires are being relocated underground to avoid interfering with large vehicles and their loads, and the project is on target to be completed by the end of this year.

(NE)