As the tourist season approaches, one Helensburgh resident and business owner is concerned the seafront is ‘unsafe’ due to the lack of handrails, permanent barriers, and adequate lighting.

He said with summer on the way, tourists who don’t know the area may be in danger of taking a wrong step and tumbling into the sea at night.

He told the Advertiser: “If someone’s walking along near the edge and trips they might just drop into the sea and that could be the end of them – especially is there is a storm or if it’s high tide.” A spokesman from the local authority said ducting for street lights has already been installed and lights will be erected on the north side of West Clyde Street.

He added that either bollards or columns will also be installed for safety.

Elsewhere on the esplanade, the grading of type one to formation level for concrete areas is continuing, with kerbing to the front of the Henry Bell monument complete.

The soft play area has been graded to formation level and base tar applied. Caithness Paving has started at the Henry Bell monument area, and topsoiling is continuing across all soft landscape areas. Kerbing is also continuing along the front of revetment.

Following four weeks of renovation works the Sinclair Street car park is now complete.

In the south of the square, all paving is complete and grouted, apart from ramp area at post office and patching work around services. Turfing and planting has started and manholes have been set to the correct level. Lighting columns have been erected and seats, cycle stands, and bins have been installed.

In the north of the square kerbing to central areas begun and the grading of square to correct levels ongoing.

At the James Street and West Princes Street interchange drainage has been installed at the south west corner, and paving and grouting is complete. At the north west corner excavation is currently ongoing.

At West Princes Street, the south side of road has been formed and base tar has now been put in place.