East Dunbartonshire Council has announced a project to transform the heart of Kirkintilloch, with community-inspired improvements.

The project to redevelop Regent Gardens has been developed in partnership with Your Kirky (Kirkintilloch Community Council).

Consultation was carried out by Your Kirky (Kirkintilloch Community Council) in 2019, with more than 1,000 responses – including strong support for redevelopment of the area.

That was followed by more consultation in 2021, which generated around 400 responses – testing ideas and again showing a majority in favour of a revamp of the Gardens.

Feedback indicated that many felt the space lacks flexibility and has accessibility issues – including different levels, kerbs and sloping.

Responding to that, and following in-depth discussions, the project aims to enshrine the area as the 'heart of the town', creating a more flexible and user-friendly space which can better host events and is focused on being a place for people.

The redesign will also create improved links between the Gardens, Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Peel Park – attracting more people to all three and creating additional opportunities for wider events.

Construction is due to begin on 10 July 2023 and will last approximately six months, during which Union Street will be closed to traffic and the Gardens will not be accessible.

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Local parking and pedestrian access to nearby businesses, buildings and facilities will be maintained as much as possible, however, vehicles could be required to follow traffic light systems.

Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout.

Contractors are consulting key businesses, facilities and buildings to understand their needs and to accommodate these as best as possible.

Project highlights include:

– Regent Gardens:

• The creation of a flat, green, flexible central space for events, with a semi-permanent canopy

• A sustainable landscape scheme, integrating and retaining all existing mature trees

• Better seating, informal play features and a lighting scheme

• Provision of a defibrillator via the reuse of an iconic red telephone box.

– Union Street:

• Enhanced physical links from Cowgate and Regent Gardens to Peel Park and Kirkintilloch Town Hall through the redesign of Union Street, widening of pavements and landscaping. Vehicles will still be able to access Union Street, but traffic calming measures will be introduced.

• Enhanced accessibility across the Gardens and Union Street, including a 'tapping strip' to assist visually impaired users.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "The aim of the project is to revive and enhance a key civic space within Kirkintilloch – responding to feedback from the community.

"I'm pleased the Council has been able to partner with Your Kirky to pave the way for these improvements, which will make the area more accessible and provide the ideal location for a wide range of events and activities."

It is hoped Peel Park can be promoted as an alternative space for people to use while the Gardens are closed, as well as new seating installed last year by Your Kirky in Townhead.

Plans have been informed by community consultation carried out via Your Kirky and the design team, involving a range of stakeholder groups – including people with visual impairments.

Nigel Rooke, of Your Kirky, said: "I am delighted that works are about to begin to redevelop Regent Gardens. The pandemic delayed plans, but in the meantime Your Kirky worked with the Council to develop and progress the project – reinforced by further consultation.

"We look forward to welcoming people to the new-look space which we hope can reach its full potential as the 'heart of Kirkintilloch'. In the meantime, the town centre remains very much open for business."

Funding has been secured from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Sustrans, Transport Scotland, the Council's Capital Programme, the Miss Hutchison Legacy Fund and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.