Laura Scott-Simmons will work alongside overall manager Helen Ford as Helensburgh CHORD assistant project manager, the council announced this week.

Helen Ford was appointed overall programme manager for all CHORD areas – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay, and Dunoon – as well taking on the role as individual project manager for Helensburgh.

The new assistants’ role will help balance Ms Ford’s workload, and ‘give support until the Helensburgh project is finished’, according to a council spokesman.

The decision was taken by the council as part of a review of the Helensburgh project carried out in October last year.

Over the past week work on the multi-million pound regeneration project has moved forward with granite seating units continuing to be installed on the esplanade.

On the front, the installation of lantern heads on West Clyde Street is also under-way by contractors MacLay Civil Engineering LTD.

And the south side of Colquhoun Square has been opened for pedestrian access with work continuing on the vehicle access into the post office yard and the internal link paths.

A council spokesman added: “Paving work has also continued at the eastern end of West Princes Street and outside the United Reform Church.” The overall project is due to be completed by July 2014.