Building Briefs - August 26th

• West Dunbartonshire Council projects receive almost £100,000 in funding

Balloch Station Square received £46,000 to improve the space in front of Balloch railway station and £50,000 was awarded to Dumbarton Connectivity project to improve links between Dumbarton Central Station, the town centre and the waterfront.

Funding comes from the Scottish Government through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme.

The Balloch Station Square project will create an improved public space in front of the Balloch Railway station, including wider pavements, new seating and street lightning. New traffic calming measures on Balloch Road will give priority to pedestrian and cyclists and create a better and safer connection between the Railway Station and the Tourist Information Centre and any future developments at West Riverside.

The project will also introduce live information on public transport links to encourage and promote sustainable travel and new signage to help visitors find the most convenient and economical route to their destination.

The Dumbarton Connectivity project aims to create a safe, attractive and pleasant environment by improving links from the town’s A-listed Central Railway Station, through Dumbarton town centre to the waterfront.

Work will focus on College Street providing a pedestrian and cycle route running between Dumbarton Central Station and Risk Street and St Mary’s Way to the rear of the Artizan Shopping Centre.

The money could also be used in the design works to improve the underpass linking Bankend Road and Station Road.

Along with increasing the use of rail travel, the project will create quality space which opens up a gateway welcoming to both residents and visitors.

It is hoped the enhanced safe route will be used by residents, school children and commuters, and could reduce cars using Station Road making it more attractive to pedestrians and cyclists.

• Work completed on new traffic light system on Aberdeen bypass roundabout

Work has finished on installing a new traffic light system on the Kingswells south roundabout on the Aberdeen city bypass (AWPR/B-T) to improve safety of the junction.

Aberdeen City Council’s operational delivery committee agreed the move at a meeting in March.

The £360,000 cost of the installation has been funded by Transport Scotland which was also the principle funder of the new trunk road, along with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. The cost of the ongoing maintenance of the traffic lights will be met by Aberdeen City Council.

Aberdeen City Council is the Roads Authority for the junction, and arranged for the work to be carried out.

• Lidl buys site in Glasgow’s East End for £1m

Discount supermarket chain Lidl has purchased land in Glasgow’s East End.

The £1 million deal was agreed for a site on the corner of Springfield Road at Dalmarnock Road.

The vacant land had previously been declared surplus by the local authority.

• South Ayrshire Council to invest over £2m to fund new projects in every ward

South Ayrshire Council’s Leadership Panel has approved the funding of projects which will make a difference to every ward in the region.

The funding, which totals over £2 million, will be invested in playpark and outdoor fitness and leisure capital projects.

Troon will receive £270,000 to provide enhanced facilities for residents and communities, including the development of Portland Park; funding to develop plans for new water sports and wheeled sports facilities; and new equipment for the shore front play park.

Prestwick will receive £270,000 which will be invested in additional gym facilities.

Ayr North will benefit from £270,000 to make improvements to the outdoor adult gym equipment at Craigie; to improve Dalmilling golf clubhouse; and to invest in play equipment in a range of locations.

Ayr West’s £270, 000 will see improvements to the skate park and adjacent play area at Craigie; a review of the play equipment in Mill Street and consultation on the introduction of volleyball at Ayr beach.

Residents in Ayr East will get £200,000 of improvements and new facilities. These include improvements to the skate park and play park, and an improved Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) surface in Kincaidston. The MUGA surface at Glencairn Park will also be improved. Paths will be upgraded in Castlehill Woods, where a new outdoor gym will also be installed.

£200,000 will be invested in Kyle, creating a new adventure playground, and providing play equipment for a range of locations across the ward.

Maybole and North Carrick will receive £200,000 to create a community play park in Miller Park, Maybole and to invest in new play equipment in Dailly Road.

In Girvan and South Carrick, £200,000 will be invested in improving the shorefront play area in Girvan, and to improve the play area in Linden Avenue in Girvan.

Colmonell will get an upgrade to its football pitch, as well as improvements to the bowling green. A new track will be installed around the playing field in Ballantrae, and new walking trails will be developed in Dailly and Barr.