Water result: Ardrishaig’s £700k harbour revamp
Ardrishaig will see large-scale renovation to its historic harbour and canal way, which Argyll and Bute Council bosses say will create a ‘vibrant village centre’, writes John McCallum.
The local authority says the £700,000 plans, part of its ongoing Ardrishaig Public Realm Improvement scheme, will include:
▍ a new lochside viewing area with added seating and art work;
▍ improvements to the harbour area’s north car park, including more disabled parking spaces;
▍ new waterfront signposting and artwork at the canal entrance;
▍ reconfiguring of the memorial garden to include new seating areas, picnic benches and a path;
▍ improved accessibility for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail, designed to make it easier for kayakers to go between Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal.
Councillor Robin Currie, the council’s policy lead for the economy and rural growth, said: ‘The Ardrishaig community has looked forward to the delivery of a new pubic square for some time now.
‘As with so many other areas, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on the project’s delivery timescale. It’s great news that with the appointment of our contractor, we’re moving closer to starting work.
‘We look forward to creating a vibrant village centre with excellent facilities for the local community and visitors to enjoy from 2023.’ Extensive public consultations took place in 2019 and 2020 before submitting proposals for planning permission in 2021.
The council says in its report on the planned works the public toilets will remain open and disruption to Chalmers Street through traffic will be ‘kept to a minimum’.
The contract for the works has been awarded to Edinburghbased P1 Solutions.
It is hoped construction work will begin in late August into early September, and if on schedule, should be completed early in early 2023.