A further £300,000 has been made available for Argyll and Bute Council's Hermitage Park project.

The additional monies, from the Sustrans Community Links programme, means that work can now progress on the £3m scheme which will see the area's only urban park restored and developed.

The project will see the replacement of the main path network, but the layout will remain much the same, with the same key entry/exit points at the north, south, east and west of the park. Work to the path network will include a new lighting system, three metre wide tarmacadam and red chip paths, with concrete edging to increase life expectancy, and covered bike stands at the various access point and at the new pavilion café.

Welcoming the investment, Councillor Aileen Morton, Policy Lead for Sustainable Economic Growth, said: "This is yet another piece of good news for this ambitious project. The Sustrans funding will pay for top-quality cycling and walking paths throughout the park, allowing people to enjoy the park itself but also use it as an attractive onward route.

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"The council is focussed on providing opportunities for people to lead active, healthier lives and by providing a combined path system through the park we can encourage residents, commuters, school pupils and visitors to cycle or walk rather than take the car.

"We've spent a lot of time doing research, making sure we develop the park in the right way, providing the best fit for all users. As anyone who has been to the park will tell you, the path network in its current condition is not ideal. The Sustrans money will address that, providing fabulous new facilities for community use."

Andy Keba, Sustrans Scotland Community Links Co-ordinator, added: "We are delighted to provide Community Links funding towards new cycling and walking infrastructure for the redevelopment of the Hermitage Park project in Helensburgh.

"This restoration project is a fantastic example of placemaking which facilities greater use of public space and higher levels of active travel both within the Park and as part of longer journeys around the town.

"The new path infrastructure will not only encourage people to cycle, walk and use other active travel modes as their preferred choice of travel for everyday journeys but will also bring many health, financial and environmental benefits. We look forward to working with Argyll and Bute Council to provide the new path network suitable for community use."

The Sustrans Community Links Programme provides grant funding for the creation of infrastructure that enables more people to cycle and walk for everyday journeys. Funded by Transport Scotland, it has funded more than 500 projects since its formation in 2010.

(JP/CD)