Civil engineering company George Leslie Ltd is carrying out all required marine works associated with the basin and river frontage, including improving the condition of the existing structure in order to meet the design life target for all structures within the project.

This consists of piling works that will extend approximately 230m along the East wharf. A new sheet pile wall within this area will be supported by a combination of tie rods, wailings and ground anchors which will provide stability and longevity.

The area will be finished with a new concrete cope and deck slab, creating a 40m wide esplanade river frontage with decorative railings around the full basin. For the first time since shipbuilding began, this will give the public access to the river, and in particular the basin that built the ‘Three Queens’ ships.

The Queens Quay site is owned by Clydeside Regeneration Limited (CRL) with West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) providing significant funding. Dawn Urban Regeneration Ltd is CRL’s development partner.

Representatives from Clydeside Regeneration Limited and West Dunbartonshire Council attended the site to formally commence operations. West Dunbartonshire Council’s Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Iain McLaren, marked the occasion by pushing the button to start the vibrating hammer that drove the first pile into the basin.

Councillor Iain McLaren, said: “It was quite remarkable to see the scale of this work up close. The Queens Quay project will transform this part of Clydebank and the works at the basin, in the shadow of the Titan Crane, will provide a spectacular centrepiece. I very much look forward to watching the transformation unfold.”

Contract manager for George Leslie Ltd, Michael McKeon, said: “George Leslie Ltd. are delighted to commence the piling works on schedule and this activity marks the start of the permanent works construction and therefore a significant milestone within our Marine Works contract. We look forward to progressing the works through to completion to the satisfaction of our client, Clydeside Regeneration Ltd., and to the benefit of the surrounding Clydebank community.”

Duncan Graham of Clydeside Regeneration Limited added: “Commencement of these marine works at Queens Quay is a significant occasion and marks the start of the regeneration of the site. To reach this stage is a huge achievement and we are very excited to watch the progress continue throughout the rest of 2018 with the commencement of a number of other developments on site too.”

Construction of the Energy Centre for the District Heating System will commence soon following the completion of the contractor tender process. Works for the new £15 million care home and state-of-the-art £25 million health centre are expected to start in the summer.

On completion of the care home and health centre, the housing, retail and leisure elements of the project will follow and will add to the existing facilities at Queens Quay, including West Dunbartonshire Council’s offices at Aurora House and a new £23.5 million leisure centre which opened last year.