North Lanarkshire Council has launched public consultations for the towns of Airdrie, Bellshill and Coatbridge.

The local authority has published a draft Town Centre Framework and Action Plan for each town. They were both shaped following a series of consultations over the last 18 months and consisted of public meetings, surveys, workshops and drop-in sessions.

The Framework outlines principles to guide growth and change in the town centres and make them more resilient in the current economic climate, while the Action Plans provide a basis for partnership to work to improve the environment, facilities and services in each town centre.

The consultations commence today (5 November) and will run until the end of January 2015.

-- Advertisement --

The draft Action Plan and Framework for each town can be found here:

• Airdrie town centre consultation

• Bellshill town centre consultation

• Coatbridge town centre consultation

Commenting on the scheme, Councillor James Coyle, Convener of the Planning and Transportation Committee, said: "Town centres are a vital part of the local economy, providing jobs, amenities, homes and services for many people.

"They are facing tough economic challenges and to survive everyone involved needs to use their local knowledge and work together to create a viable future for our town centres.

"With input from residents, community groups and businesses we have produced positive Frameworks and Action Plans for both Airdrie and Coatbridge, and we now want to hear what people think.

"It's important that as many people as possible take part in this consultation, so that we produce a final plan that will meet the needs of all those who use Airdrie and Coatbridge town centres."

(JP/MH)