Argyll and Bute Council has said phase two of the Helensburgh CHORD project is nearing completion.

This phase of works, which focuses around Colquhoun Square, is set to finish at the end of August.

Following this, it is anticipated that phase three will begin in September, with phase four starting in the new year. Phase three will involve work at Colquhoun Street North and East Princes Street, from Maitland Street to Sinclair Street, while phase four will focus around Sinclair Street from West/East King Street to West/East Princes Street.

The improvement works, costing £7.23m, is split into four phases in order to minimise disruption for the local community. Among the work carried out so far, has been widening the footpaths to improve pedestrian access, the creation of on-street parking bays, the installation of new lanterns and lighting columns, plus new street furniture, bins and bicycle stands.

-- Advertisement --

Work has included increasing the width of footpaths to make it easier for pedestrians to get around the town; at the same time this has narrowed the road width which slows vehicles down. The improvements will also see new on-street parking bays created and dedicated loading bays for local shops. For phases three and four, the schedule of works will include:

• Road closures with diversions in place

• Removal of existing surfacing and footpaths

• Drainage work

• Street lighting ducting

• Footpath and lay-by construction

• Road construction.

Councillor Ellen Morton, Argyll and Bute Council's Policy Lead for Special Projects, said: "I'm very happy to see the project taking shape – the square and the front both look fantastic and it's great to see people out enjoying it. I've had some very positive feedback from local residents and retailers, particularly around the improved access to the shops.

"We're on the home straight now and I'm confident that we'll be finished by spring 2015. Admittedly there have been some slippages in the original timeline which have been caused by a number of things – poor ground condition and the additional drainage work – but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.

"These are exciting times for the town, with the next big council project in Helensburgh being the redevelopment of the pier head, a development that will complement these works, following on from the new civic centre. We've also secured £150,000 of Sustrans funding which will be used to upgrade the on-road cycle lanes cycle lanes to complement the CHORD work."

The Helensburgh CHORD project aims to make the town a more attractive place for people to live, work and visit, as well as helping to develop the local economy.

(JP/IT)