The regeneration of Alexandria’s tired town centre should move forward next month, with work on the Smollett Fountain set to progress.
Council chiefs last week confirmed that a tendering process for the contract to restore the iconic centrepiece to its former glory had concluded, with hopes high that contractors could be on site by March.
Meanwhile, a shop front improvement grant is set to be made available to traders later this year, to further spruce up the run-down Main Street.
At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s infrastructure, regeneration and economic development (IRED) committee last week, members were told that plans to support town centre recovery across the region were 66 percent complete – with Alexandria a major focus. The 10-year Alexandria Masterplan aims to overhaul the rundown Main Street, transform the crumbling Mitchell Way and refurbish the Smollett Fountain.
More than £12million would be invested in the Vale from a mixture of public and private funds.
And Leven member Michelle McGinty asked for an update from council officers on the progress of the plans to renovate the fountain – which she labelled “an absolute state” last year.
Cllr McGinty said: “We know that the first stage of the Smollett Fountain works has been done, but there’s still the actual works to the fountain which are part of that phase which still need to be done.
“I believe workers should be on-site in March, so I was just waiting to see if we had any progress update on that.”
In response, WDC’s economic development officer Gillian McNamara said: “In terms of the Smollett Fountain works we have tenders back now and will assess those this week.
“On the shop front improvement grants funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund, the investment plan has already been moved so we have the money. That will start flowing from the start of the new financial year in April.
“We’re putting in all the background work in order to launch that as quickly as we can.
“There have been consultations with traders on that, as well as other councils to see who has the best take up of grant funding.”
The 12 projects in the masterplan include the building of a new Lidl store in Mitchell Way, along with the demolition of the existing eyesore shopping area and building of new homes.
Plans to attract more people to the Main Street include widening the pavements with increased seating, flowers and trees whilst retaining the two-way flow of traffic.
Pedestrian crossings will also be introduced at alleys to the car parks, whilst increased signage could be installed to encourage people to leave their vehicles behind Main Street.
These would be linked to the creation of better cycling and walking routes, in keeping with the Scottish Government’s 20-minute neighbourhood plans.
Christie Park is also in line for a community-led refurbishment that would see the toilets reopened, the wall memorial renovated and the creation with a link to the Vale Hospital.
Council chiefs are also optimistic about working with the owners of Loch Lomond Galleries to breathe new life into the shopping centre, and host exhibitions in its grounds.
