Construction work is to begin on a neighbourhood redevelopment project in Dumfries.

The scheme is part of the 'Neighbourhood Street Design Project' and is to get underway on Monday, 25 July.

Proposals involve changing the layouts of Cumberland Street, Brooke Street, McLellan Street, Queen Street and Shakespeare Street, in the vicinity of the Theatre Royal, to create a more pedestrian friendly environment.

The development is being undertaken in parallel with a Housing Renewal project by the council and includes building new 'affordable' housing, providing grants to property owners for essential repairs, the renewal of cast iron Victorian fencing, the delivery of energy efficiency targets and bringing empty homes back into use.

Plans for the scheme, which is jointly funded by Sustrans Scotland, Transport Scotland and the council, includes:

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• Re-laying of pavements on McLellan Street with high quality stone and raising up of each junction in the neighbourhood to pavement level

• Installation of two new public spaces at ‘gateways' to the neighbourhood. Artwork, to be manufactured by a local blacksmith, has been designed by the artist NADFLY in partnership with residents

• An upgrade of the public space outside the Theatre Royal with an extension of the public space and placement of seating, greenery, trees and cycle parking

• Placement of trees and greenery to enhance the street space.

John Lauder, National Director, Sustrans Scotland, said: "The construction phase builds on the local successes of this partnership project in bringing people together and empowering residents to take greater ownership of the neighbourhood. We are excited to see the final part of this project underway and alongside residents and the council I look forward to celebrating and promoting the benefits of this way of working in years to come."

Cllr Craig Peacock added: "We hope the improvements made, in partnership with local residents, will help deliver our aspiration of the town centre being an attractive place to live as well as work. Changes to the street environment will complement a range of other actions that have been supported by the Council such as the delivery of brand new affordable housing. Our successful partnership with Sustrans has allowed us to attract significant external funding into our region to support improvement which has been driven by this local community."

(LM/CD)