West Dunbartonshire’s high streets will benefit from almost £2.5 million of investment from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration fund. Dumbarton and Clydebank will receive the well-deserved cash boost before April 2010 and it is estimated that the investment is likely to create up to 80 new local jobs .
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil announced today (Friday 13th November, 2009), that West Dunbartonshire Council’s bid to secure funding for projects in Clydebank and Dumbarton Town Centres was successful. The town centres are 2 of the 41 Scottish towns that will benefit from a £20 million share of government cash, the second round of funding awarded from the £60 million fund, to revitalize their high streets and transform their fortunes.
Councillor Jim McElhill, West Dunbartonshire Council’s spokesperson for Housing, Environmental Services and Economic Development, said: "I am absolutely delighted to hear about the successful bids for funding for Clydebank and Dumbarton town centres. This is a fantastic investment in West Dunbartonshire by the Scottish Government and a big vote of confidence in the area’s potential.”
The funding will provide around half a million pounds of cash to support developments in and around Dumbarton Town Centre. Projects that have been recommended for funding include improvements to retail units, increased car parking, improved pedestrian access, signage for visitors to Dumbarton’s attractions and the introduction of security cameras and CCTV in the Town Centre.
Clydebank’s residents and businesses will benefit from over £1.8 million in investment, primarily in the upgrading of the South Canal Bank. Work will begin at Queens Square and will extend to Kilbowie Road and Argyll Road, and will link connect The Swan pedestrian bridge with the canal towpath. A design team at Broadway Malyan has been appointed to deliver the 3 part project. The funding will also allow for lighting improvements in the Town Centre. This will include lighting at the Kilbowie Road Canal Bridge and Argyll Road link, solar lighting along the Town’s canal towpath and along the Kilbowie Road footpath linking the town centre and Clydebank Business Park.
The Scottish Government's £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund was opened to grant applications in April 2009. A wide range of bodies including local authorities, Community Planning Partnerships, Business Improvement Districts, Town Centre Managers, local Chambers of Commerce, businesses and third sector groups were eligible to apply.
