Building Briefs – September 8th

Work has officially started to construct a new Kilpatrick Secondary School and Early Learning and Childcare Centre in West Dunbartonshire.

Councillor Michelle McGinty, convener of educational services, cut the first sod at the construction site within the grounds of the existing school to mark the launch of the project which will be completed in October 2016.

The £10.5 million project will also extend the existing primary school, refurbish the school’s hydrotherapy pool and build a new sports pitch on the site. In addition the plans include developing a garden with sensory planting which can be used as an outdoor classroom.

The school will open after the holiday week in October 2016. The new building is being delivered by hub West Scotland, the council’s development partner. The main contractor for the project is Heron Bros.

Argyll and Bute Council officially launch £2.2m Campbeltown CARS project

Argyll and Bute Council is about to begin the third stage in the regeneration of Campbeltown with a new £2.2 million project to repair town centre buildings.

The council will be targeting properties in and around Main Street and Longrow South, including the replacement of the decked areas in the rear of courtyard tenements, which have been causing significant problems for a number of years.

Safeguarding the future of these properties, both commercial and residential, will protect over 70 jobs, from people working in the repaired shops to local tradesmen carrying out the improvement works.

There will also be a small grant scheme for repairs such as roofing, leadwork, gutters, windows and doors.

Dunblane Station improvements set to begin

A major project which will transform the area between Dunblane train station and the town centre is set to begin this winter.

Funding from Sustrans is allowing Stirling Council to work with the local community, to make Beech Road and Stirling Road more pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Those with mobility difficulties, drivers, businesses and local residents will also benefit from the improvements.

The work will be done in two phases. The first involves essential repairs to the Allan Water Bridge, and the second covers the improvements to the streetscape of Beech Road and Stirling Road. The first phase of the Allan Water Bridge work is anticipated to run from November 2015 to March 2016.

Plans to demolish landmark Hawick tower receive support

A plan to demolish a landmark building in Hawick has received the backing of council planning officials.

They have recommended councillors approve proposals to level the Wilton Mill clock tower, despite accepting that is an “iconic” building.

Objectors have claimed it would be a “travesty” to knock down the historic building in Commercial Road.

Councillors will be told it has been neglected and left to deteriorate.

A report to Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee said the owner of the building had tried to sell it, without success.

Officers have recommended that the category B listed building is taken down “in a controlled manner”.

Any decision taken by the council is subject to approval by Historic Scotland.

Construction begins on £5m link road to new housing site

Work has begun on a £5 million new link road that will significantly improve transport links to a major redevelopment of a former Royal Ordnance factory that is being transformed into housing.

The road infrastructure project supports the multi-million pound regeneration of the 1,800-acre former site in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

BAE Systems is redeveloping it into housing, community and commercial developments and open space.

Colour co-ordination in Moray schools refurbishment

The exterior of four Moray primary schools currently undergoing major refurbishment will match the colour of pupils’ uniforms.

Sections of the external walls at Millbank in Buckie, Applegrove in Forres, Seafield in Elgin and St Gerardine in Lossiemouth will be rendered in the school colours.

Work is well under way on the £17 million project which will see major improvements at all four schools.

The refurbishment – which will continue until spring 2017 – is designed to bring the condition of the schools up to a standard that will be fit for the purpose of delivering education to pupils in the 21st century.

The work is being funded with the help of a £10m grant from the Scottish Government, with Moray Council providing the rest of the funding.

Improvement works will include new roof coverings, windows and doors, external insulation and completely modernised heating and electrical systems.

There will be a reconfiguration of the interior of the schools which will include a mixture of new and refurbished classroom accommodation.

£296m Borders Railway opens

A £296 million transport link between Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders has officially opened.

The Scottish Government’s Borders Railway was opened at a ceremony on Sunday, 6 September.

It is the longest domestic line to the built in the UK in over 100 years.

Infrastructure cecretary Keith Brown said: “The Borders Railway will be a real catalyst for growth in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian. It will open up new opportunities for work, leisure, study and investment and business for these areas which will, in turn, benefit the wider Scottish economy.”

Fife roundabout to undergo resurfacing works

A roundabout in Fife is to undergo a programme of resurfacing works.

The Bothwell Gardens Roundabout in Dunfermline will be closed from 13 September for up to one week.

The roadworks will be carried out between 7pm to 6am each day.

Borders college student wins most promising apprentice award

A talented young student has been named the winner of an annual apprenticeship award for his exceptional work with a Galashiels company.

Arron Brunton, 23, of Finlaysons - part of Esh Border Construction - has been announced as the recipient of the 2015 Bob Wall Merit Award for most promising Esh Group Apprentice/Trainee.

It is the Innerleithen man’s second award of the year - Arron is studying Carpentry & Joinery at Borders College in Galashiels and was recently named its ‘Best Advanced Craft Carpentry & Joinery Student 2015’.