Work has commenced on a major project that will transform a Renfrew dock into a vital facility for Scotland's strengthening renewable energy industry.

Work at Westday Dock aims to improve access to the site by removing sediment from the River Cart. The dredging works have been made possible due to a £350,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise, while the local authority has said the project is being promoted by Westway, the owners of the former Babcock site.

When completed, the aim of the works is to ensure the dock can cater for the transport of renewable energy turbines and products, however, essential dredging work needs to be undertaken before wider dock improvements can be carried out.

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Councillor Eddie Devine, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said: "The development of the Westway dock could potentially deliver major economic, employment and environmental benefits for the Renfrewshire and West of Scotland economy.

"The site has the right location and potential to cater for the growing renewable energy sector which will be increasingly important in the years ahead.

"We want to see Renfrewshire positioned to gain from those growth opportunities.

"Renfrewshire Council has shown through our £11.5million Invest in Renfrewshire programme that we are committed to supporting business and employment opportunities.

"With support from Scottish Enterprise's National Renewables Infrastructure Fund, we are now taking forward an important phase of dredging work which is a key staging point the way to enable the dock to have a greater capacity to receive river traffic."

(JP/IT)