Four major regeneration projects prioritised by West Dunbartonshire residents are to receive a £7 million investment from the local authority.

Plans to revitalise Glasgow Road in Clydebank, regenerate Bowling Basin, create a Dumbarton waterfront walkway and establish two public squares in Balloch will share the cash injection after councillors voted to approve the investment at West Dunbartonshire Council’s infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee yesterday.

The four projects were identified during local charrette processes, in which residents had their say on local priorities via drop-in information sessions and workshops with schools and community groups. Each will now receive a share of a £7m sum from the council’s Regeneration Capital Fund, as well as attracting funding from several external sources.

The plans for the A814 at Glasgow Road will see crossings installed at Clydebank Town Hall and Queens Quay to improve pedestrian links. This project will receive £2.3m from the Regeneration Capital Fund and has already secured £2m in Sustrans funding.

Proposals for Bowling Basin have been developed by Scottish Canals and will see the council invest £2m of Regeneration Capital Fund cash. This will be recouped as the project becomes profitable through the sale of houses and commercial opportunities.

At Dumbarton waterfront £1.5m will be set aside to develop a walkway and cycle path from the town centre to the castle, with an additional £1m expected to be sourced from housing developers and other commercial partners.

A £1.2m sum will also be allocated to the creation of two public squares next to the train station in Balloch; a charrette suggestion intended to improve the use of public space and enhance the impression of the village to visiting tourists. An extra £400,000 is expected to come from other sources.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, the council’s convener for infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: “As a council we are committed to providing innovative opportunities for economic development and improving employability, and all four of these projects tie in with ambitious objectives for growth. The fact that they have been earmarked by residents as priorities shows the level of support for them locally, and the approval of Regeneration Capital Funding for these projects is a big step first towards their delivery.”

Councillor David McBride, depute convener, added: “We were delighted with the public’s response to our local charrettes, so it is fantastic to now be progressing projects that the community identified as important to the local area. The involvement of our residents, local businesses and council partners will be invaluable going forward, and I hope as many people as possible with engage with the council on these ambitious projects.”