Argyll and Bute Council has outlined ambitious plans for multi-million pound investment in improving and maintaining roads, bridges and marine infrastructure.

Included in a range of roads and infrastructure developments for 2022/23 are:

• £5.4 million in improvements to bridges providing essential links between Argyll and Bute communities

• £155,000 to carry out upgrading on dozens of playparks across the region

• A £15.2 million scheme to provide flood protection to Campbeltown, supporting local businesses and protecting the investments in the town

• £900,000 to deliver an upgraded pontoon facility at Rothesay harbour, as part of plans to unlock the potential of the marine tourism sector

These projects follow on from a number of major infrastructure schemes already completed including:

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• The £500,000 Lochgilphead public realm improvement scheme

• Introduction of a new £500,000 Lismore ferry to replace the old vessel

• £170,000 investment in a new fleet of low emission council vehicles

• £325,000 improvements to Tobermory’s sea wall and coastal protection measures

In addition, an extensive package of council-funded developments is also planned for the coming year including an £8 million programme of improvements to the road network, more than £10 million investment in various marine projects, a £1 million scheme to repair storm damage to Bute’s sea wall and the final phase of the plan to replace all streetlights across the region with energy efficient LEDs.

Policy Lead for Roads and Transport, Councillor Andrew Kain said: "Argyll and Bute covers a huge geographic area – the second largest council area in Scotland and the highest number of inhabited islands. The sheer scale of operations that council teams manage is therefore considerable. This progress report is a reminder of that, and of the importance of additional, external funding for the area.

"Our Roads and Infrastructure team is responsible for a vast range of assets and services, crucial to the smooth running of our local communities and to the area’s economic wellbeing.

"Despite the challenges of the last two years, a great deal has been delivered already in terms of managing, maintaining and improving our key infrastructure. I look forward to seeing progress in these additional projects which will deliver further benefits for residents and visitors to Argyll and Bute."