The news bulletin is signed by Craig Redpath, contract manager for MacLay, and he said the contracted workers for the council’s £6.6 million development were ‘making good progress’.

The newsletter also revealed Robert Mair had been appointed as a new public liaison officer.

Mr Redpath said: “We are making good progress on the remaining phases of the public realm works – the road closures on Sinclair Street North and East Princes Street have helped the progress of the job.

“As a result we have started Sinclair Street South six weeks early. We are now working on Sinclair Street only. East Princes Street was re-opened on Monday, November 3 – with the buses rerouted back onto the street as planned.” On Colquhoun Street north, the works have mainly been completed, with new street lighting poles installed to match the square and East/West Princes Street and LED lights.

Around 21 parking bays, including two for disabled drivers, have been formed with the small sett granite and white lining completed.

Access onto the square via the stainless steel bollards is designed for festivals and parades.

East Princes Street also re-opened as planned with buses returning to their original route through town. A new, larger-style bus shelter has been positioned on a wider footway allowing ‘good pedestrian movement’ between the railway station and the town.

Additional car parking spaces are now open along the length of the street, with a disabled bay close to the shops. A stainless steel handrail for East Princes Street was installed last week.

On Sinclair Street north, work is continuing with the east-side footway complete round the corner tying into East King Street and East Princes Street.

The majority of parking bay setts have been completed, and access to the Sinclair Street car park has been maintained with entry from West Princes Street junction. When the tar reinstatement is taking place on the road access will have to be swapped temporarily, with access from West King Street junction. Signs will alert drivers of this change in the route. These works due to be completed by mid-November.

On Sinclair Street south, entry on the east-side footway started on Monday, November 3 as planned, following consultations with shop owners to allow us to start the footway before Christmas.

As work continues on the east footway, access will be maintained to shops, as well as general access, up to the Christmas break.

All works on Sinclair Street South will break on Friday, December 12 for the holidays, and will resume on Monday, January 5.