The first stage of £22million plans to transform Dumbarton town centre got underway last week.
Pathway works on Station Road near Dumbarton Central have started, representing the first visual sign of the project - which West Dunbartonshire councillors hope will breathe new life into the town.
It will see improved pedestrian and cycle access from Dumbarton Central station to the town centre and River Leven, with around £3.25m set to be dedicated to widening pavements and cycleways - making the area more friendly for active travellers.
Commuters meanwhile have been warned that the work means there is currently no parking on Station Road, with ScotRail urging drivers to leave their cars at Dumbarton East or Dalreoch.
College Street is also closed.
It’s not yet known how long the first phase of works will last for, with ScotRail adding that they will provide an update on this.
The works will be part-funded by a £19.9m grant from the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund, which is also set to transform the High Street with the demolition of the Artizan Centre and redevelopment of the main shopping hub in the town.
Welcoming the start of works, Dumbarton councillor David McBride said it was an exciting time for the town - but urged residents to show patience.
He said: “There has been a lot of work going on in the background in relation to the council’s successful bid to the UK Levelling up Fund bid.
“This is the first visible element of the £22m development we’ve had and it signals the start of what will be a major regeneration of Dumbarton town centre.
“The big prize will be when we complete the planned regeneration of the Artizan Centre and the renovation and repurposing of Glencairn House into a library and museum to help attract more visitors.
“Regeneration projects take time to complete, but I’m confident that on completion the planned works will help to modernise our town and give local businesses a much-needed lifeline.”
Other regeneration works include the transformation of Glencairn House on Dumbarton High Street, which is set to be brought back to life as a state-of-the-art library, museum and community space.
Under the project West Dunbartonshire Council will provide £2m towards the cost.
The SNP’s Chris Pollock added: “The Levelling Up funding near the High Street and Dumbarton Central Station will bring much needed regeneration to our town.
“The conservation area will be developed to bring enhanced connectivity between our main train station and the town centre. The partial demolition of the out dated Artizan Centre will be the first steps in bringing our historic town back to life and letting Dumbarton flourish.”
