Work is continuing to progress at the site of a £1.3m dock development project in Westway Park, Renfrewshire.

The 53-hectare site was one of the first locations in Scotland to receive funding from the Scottish Government's National Renewable Infrastructure Fund (N-RIF), which is managed by Scottish Enterprise.

Graham Construction was awarded the development contract and work started earlier this year. The project has already involved the dredging of the dock area, along with work to create a navigable channel along the River Cart. Completion is scheduled for later this year.

Welcoming the progress on site, Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government and Planning, said: "It is always a pleasure to visit Westway and to witness first-hand the progress being made to bring the dock facilities back into operational use to support and attract companies involved in the manufacture of heavy components for Scotland's renewable energy sector.

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"Following on from recent job announcements from Doosan, investment in this project has the potential to create further jobs within companies looking to locate or expand at Westway and is a great boost for Renfrewshire and the west of Scotland in general."

David Leven, head of energy infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, added: "This investment at Westway has helped inject fresh industrial life to the upper Clyde to ensure that the site is capable of meeting the needs of manufacturing companies operating in the energy sector.

"We have been working intensively with port owners across Scotland to look at existing infrastructure and investment required to support Scotland's growing energy sector. Glasgow and the west has much to offer and has already claimed a place on the energy engineering map with Westway continuing to attract companies operating in the sector."

Jim Armour, Graham Construction contracts manager, commented: "The redevelopment of Westway Dock is a significant project for GRAHAM Construction. We are working hard to install a new quay wall which will play a pivotal role in bringing the dock facilities back into operation.

"This in turn will pave the way for the transformation of the site into an important hub for the renewable energy sector in Scotland. We will continue to use local subcontractors and labour wherever possible until the conclusion of this important and worthwhile contract."

(JP/MH)