Building Briefs - August 9th
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- Clydesdale bridge reopens after extensive repairs
A bridge in Clydesdale is now fully reopened after undergoing extensive repairs.
Repair and strengthening work at Cleghorn Bridge is now complete and the road reopened to vehicles this morning.
Traffic signal equipment was also upgraded to reduce the likelihood of future closures at this location.
The bridge suffered significant and sudden further deterioration since it initially closed in January.
This led to an increase in the scope, scale and complexity of the repair, strengthening and rebuilding work required at the bridge.
- Rotary Club planter springs back with help from CALA
A rotary club in Linlithgow has been able to give its community planter a new lease of life, thanks to a donation of materials, plants and new hanging baskets from CALA Homes (East).
Roots of a nearby tree had damaged the rear of the planter at the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange, which needed to be removed before the space could be replanted with new perennial shrubs and plants.
The landscape, which creates a welcoming arrival to the town, and is located adjacent to CALA’s Queenswood development, has now been transformed with colourful new plants and feature planter, thanks to help and materials from the developer’s landscaping team.
CALA’s team replaced the timber retention of the planter and arranged for Linlithgow-based Land Technology LTD to plant cascading flowers and Begonias around its base.
The developer has a long history of supporting and investing in the communities it works in, by reaching out to local groups, and sports clubs to offer its assistance through a variety of longer term sponsorships and a yearly community bursary which invites charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to apply for a share of funding from CALA, with more than 300 worthy causes receiving over £300,000 since the initiative was launched in 2016.
- New B&M store to fill vacant Homebase unit at Springkerse Retail Park
Councillors have granted retailer B&M permission to open a new homestore and garden centre at Springkerse Retail Park in Stirling.
The new B&M homestore will be located on the site of the former Homebase unit at Springkerse Retail Park, which has lain vacant since 2018.
- Glasgow to receive additional £4.8m to support active travel network
Glasgow City Council will receive an additional £4.8 million in grant funding from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) and Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes (CWSR).
The funding will be used to improve the city’s sustainable transport network after being approved by the council’s city administration committee.
Part of the additional funds will be used towards helping expand Glasgow’s cycling infrastructure and increase the number of cycle routes as part of the Councils Strategic Plan for Cycling and supports the Glasgow Climate Plans ambition in providing a more comprehensive active travel network.
As part of plans to further improve the safety of cyclists and other road users, Glasgow City Council has also recently introduced high visibility electronic road signs. These signs activate automatically as a cyclist approaches a junction and have been installed at 16 locations so far, with further sites being considered throughout the city.
Public transport funding will also be used to enhance the city’s bus infrastructure, helping to ease congestion and reduce emissions across Glasgow.
- Kirkwood Homes to host consultation on Carnoustie proposals
The public will have a chance to discuss plans to build homes on the northern edge of Carnoustie.
Developer Kirkwood Homes is to host a drop-in session for the proposed 62-home development.
The Aberdeenshire firm said the £15 million development would create 50 construction jobs. It plans to start building early next year.
The drop-in session will take place on Wednesday from 1-7pm at Boys’ Brigade St Bride’s Hall, 18 Carlogie Road, Carnoustie.
- Community acquires land for new affordable homes in Skye
Edinbane Community Company (ECC) is to help provide six much-needed affordable homes in the centre of Edinbane village with the purchase of three serviced sites at Coishletter with support from the Scottish Land Fund.
The Edinbane site will be used affordable housing (Image credit Communities Housing Trust)
The sites are to be purchased from Skye Luxury Lodges, whose adjoining private development is awaiting planning permission from the Highland Council.
The Communities Housing Trust (CHT) has been supporting the community with the land acquisition, and will continue to help facilitate the development process.
The community-led project was commended as exemplary by the Scottish Land Fund committee, as a partnership model with public and private stakeholders that could be replicated elsewhere in Scotland.
In Edinbane since 2015, the primary school roll had been declining faster than expected, with families leaving for towns like Portree and other centres, and the community recognised the need to sustain and grow the village.
Edinbane Community Company board members at the Coishletter site (Image credit ECC)
In the summer of 2020, Edinbane Community Company undertook a community survey which showed clear need and strong support for new homes for local residents. The next step will be to get more community feedback on the proposals later this year.
ECC is committed to providing new opportunities for the area, including future plans to provide a new community hub and shop.
- Restoration of Preston Tower continues
Funding has now been secured for the second phase of restoration works at historic Preston Tower in Prestonpans.
The project will see a number of improvements at the late medieval towerhouse in Prestonpans - which was originally constructed in the 15th century and then repaired and extended upwards in the 17th century – and nearby doocot.
The first stage of the project started recently, with a focus on improving access and encouraging more people to visit in future, while contributing to local regeneration.
It involves the restoration of the doocot and the installation of new architectural lighting and new interpretation/information boards, developed in collaboration with the local community.
Archaeological investigations have begun with the careful lifting of turf, which will be reinstated when finished.
Due to evidence of protected species at the site, the project is being delivered in two phases.
The project, which is expected to cost up to £1,068,083, is being supported by the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund and Place Based Investment Programme. It is being progressed by East Lothian Council in collaboration with building owners the National Trust for Scotland and with the support of the Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership, and the National Lottery Heritage-funded Great Place Project.
Groves Raines Architects lead a team of conservation experts on behalf of East Lothian Council.
- Further consultation on Peebles Community Campus goes live
A further consultation outlining more detailed plans for the replacement of the existing Peebles High School building is now available to view online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/peeblescampus.
Updated designs outline in finer detail the proposals for replacing the existing school with a transformational facility designed to support the delivery of a 21st century curriculum and provide wide-ranging community sporting benefits.
The updated online consultation site offers members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the project, showcasing details of the proposed site plans and designs which have been further developed and refined following a period of initial consultation with the local community.
The public can also revisit the materials presented as part of the initial consultation including videos explaining the overarching vision for the project which has been heavily influenced by the surrounding Peebles area.
Online public meetings are being held this month where the Council will showcase the designs for the Campus and explain the decision making for the project whilst also allowing for the public to feedback on the initial designs.
Members of the public are being encouraged to attend and can register their interest by emailing Peeblescampus@scotborders.gov.uk.
A summary report taking into account the feedback gathered from this stage of consultation will be produced as part of a full planning application later this year.
The target for completion of the new campus is December 2025.
- Work starting on new Greenock A8 crossing
Work starts today on a new toucan crossing along the A8 in Greenock to help improve links between the town centre and the waterfront.
It will be installed at the foot of William Street and connect across the Dalrymple Street main road onto Custom House Way and the waterfront.
Work will last approximately 12 weeks.
There will be lane closures in place throughout the duration of the project.
The new £300,000 crossing and associated works will replace the existing one at nearby Cross Shore Street.
The aim is to improve links between the town centre and the new Greenock Ocean Terminal cruise ship berth and visitor centre, which is currently under construction.
The project is being funded thanks to a grant from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Toucan crossings are wider than normal crossings to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
The development has been agreed in consultation with trunk road operators Transport Scotland and its contractor Amey, which manages the A8.
Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journey for the duration of the works.
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