Work has started on a project to restore the Annan Station Gateway, Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced.

In 2010, the train station was identified in the Annan Master Plan as being an important gateway to the town and it was recommended that the site should be improved and restored.

Work on the project is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete and will improve access to Annan Academy and the station itself by a new mini-roundabout. The footpaths approaching the station will also be widened, while the road will be resurfaced. There will be new car parking facilities at the station and the surrounding area will receive new trees, landscaping and quality paving.

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The redevelopment will cost £266,000 and will be funded through the local authority's Capital Programme following a successful bid made on behalf of the Annan Regeneration Steering Group.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of the Council's Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, said: "The importance of the town's station gateway cannot be underestimated, at present the area is tired looking and does nothing to promote one of the region's most important towns. The work will transform this gateway making it not only a more functional space but an area that locals can be proud of."

Sean Marshall, Chair of the Annan Regeneration Steering group, added: "There are four main gateways into Annan, three by road and one by rail. I welcome the work that is currently ongoing on both the Bridge Gateway and Railway Station Gateway."

(JP/IT)