Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Communities, has met with council representatives at the Burns Monument Centre to discuss town centre regeneration funding for East Ayrshire.

The council has made three bids under the Town Centre Regeneration Fund to support implementation of detailed actions contained in the Council's Community Plan.

The Kilmarnock project will capitalise on benefits arising from rail service enhancements between Glasgow and Kilmarnock and will improve the environment between the railway station and the town centre.

The Cumnock project will create a high quality civic space around the Town Hall and improve access to the town centre, as well as increasing town centre car-parking.

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The Galston project will create additional car parking, improve the environment, increase footfall to the town centre and support commercial activity.

Mr Neil said: "I was delighted to see the excellent progress that is being made and the work that is being put in to engage the local community in East Ayrshire at every stage of the regeneration process.

"We want to replicate this success right across Scotland and, over three years, we are investing £654m in a range of ambitious regeneration projects which will revive Scottish towns, cities and communities."

Leader of the Council Cllr Douglas Reid said: "In these difficult times, it is important that the Council makes its case to get a share of available resources for regeneration and new house building.

"Alex Neil is very much aware of the context within East Ayrshire and recognised the detailed and innovative proposals submitted by the Council. We were encouraged by the Scottish Government’s ideas to maximise the impact of the available funding."

(GK/JM)