HERMITAGE Park was closed completely to the public this week as work continues on its multi-million pounds restoration project.

The Helensburgh park is expected to be shut for several weeks for the completion of the main landscape and conservation works.

These include installation of a new electrical loop and lighting, completion of the final path surfaces, and the re-seeding of all the grass areas.

The Friends of Hermitage Park said in a statement on the Helensburgh Hermitage Park Facebook page: “We hope to undertake a variety of activities and volunteering opportunities within the park during this period.”

The park is expected to reopen towards the end of July, after which work will continue on the park’s new pavilion, car park and main entrance.

The regeneration of the park is expected to be complete by the autumn.

Meanwhile, council chiefs are set to hear about the project’s success to date at a meeting today (Thursday).

Argyll and Bute Council’s environment development and infrastructure committee will also discuss how nearly 30 shopfronts in the town have benefited from grant funding over the last 12 months.

The annual performance review for the council’s economic development and transportation service is part of the agenda for this morning’s meeting at the authority’s headquarters in Lochgilphead.

The review, compiled by head of economic development and strategic transportation Fergus Murray and executive director Pippa Milne, also highlights other works over the 2017/18 financial year.

It says: “The Hermitage Park project has secured £3.5 million worth of grant funding to date. The redevelopment and restoration works of the landscape are entering the final phase.

“The building of the new pavilion started in November 2017. The main contract works are nearing completion, with a formal launch planned for the end of 2018.

“The five-year activity plan is at the start of its third year, and activities continue to engage with the community. More than 550 days’ worth of volunteering have been completed to date.

Pathway surfacing and grass seeding will also take place over the coming weeks while the park is completely closed.

The report adds: “The Helensburgh grant administration projects have seen 10 grant awards towards the repair and renewal of shopfronts over the period, bringing this to a total of 27 shopfronts having benefited from grant, and one recommendation for grant towards one new art installation.”

It also highlights the “completion of a number of additional streetscape improvements in Helensburgh, utilising surplus CHORD funds.Also part of the review is the successful lobbying of the Scottish Government to look at measures to reduce the impact of marine litter in Arrochar, resulting in the government giving £500,000 to Marine Scotland to dedicate resources to the issue.