The contractor is to deliver the multi-million-pound creation of Waterfront Place, next to the V&A Dundee.

Work includes a landscaped 7,000 sq ft urban beach surrounded by bench seating and a 2,150 sq ft active travel hub offering cycle hire and storage.

Illuminated footpaths will encourage all-day use, soft landscaping will include grassed dunes, with Dutch brick making up the hard landscaping. A water feature with pop-up water jets will also form part of the development.

Mark Flynn, depute convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “It is great to see things getting underway on this high profile space at the heart of the central waterfront.

“By spring next year when work is completed Waterfront Place will offer an interesting and innovative space right by the estuary for people from the city and visitors of all ages to enjoy.

“This £6m investment forms the next part of our phased and managed growth at the waterfront and the months and years ahead will see much more to come.

“Waterfront Place will offer a unique leisure space that will absolutely deliver on the initial pledge to enliven the area, act as a magnet for visitors and create a buzz by the Tay.”

Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, added: “Well-designed-public spaces which facilitate active leisure pursuits are an important ingredient in effective urban place making.

“Dundee City Council is successfully delivering an ambitious £1bn regeneration of the waterfront. In doing so, it’s rightfully attracting international interest spanning tourists to inward investors, while also ensuring people in the city can access and benefit from the development.

“Waterfront Place is integral to the success of the overall scheme and we’re very pleased to be delivering it in partnership with the council.”

Work on proposals to develop a unique space that brings art, technology and play together within Waterfront Place is continuing and a report will be brought to committee in due course.

Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2021.