Argyll and Bute Council have announced an investment of £700,000 to create a new public square in the heart of Ardrishaig, with work due to start later this year.

The square is a long held community aspiration and part of a wider transformation project that will see improved seating, access and redesigned car parking and gardens.

The council backed the investment to help transform the area into a vibrant village centre with improved community and visitor facilities.

The work includes:

• A new public square

• Improvements to the north car park with additional disabled parking

• New waterfront sign posting and artwork from the canal

• Reconfiguring of the memorial garden to include new seating areas, picnic benches and a waterside path

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• Installation of dropped kerbs and paving to make access easier for all

• A new lochside viewing area with additional seating and art work

• Improved accessibility for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail making it easier for kayakers to go between Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal

Like many projects across the country, the pandemic and rising construction costs have impacted on overall project costs and timescales. A revised project cost estimate has resulted in the Council having to re-tender for the works after securing additional funding to cover the increase in construction costs. Work will start at the end of May 2022, subject to a successful tender exercise.

Councillor Robin Currie, Policy Lead for the Economy and Rural Growth: "We continue to invest in growing Argyll and Bute as a fantastic place to live, work and visit. I'm delighted that work to transform Ardrishaig will start later this year. We have seen the knock on effect both the pandemic and our exit from the EU is having on the construction sector with continued rising costs and supply chain issues.

"With the additional funding now in place, we can press ahead and deliver a vibrant centre for residents and visitors to enjoy."