WORK on Helensburgh's long-awaited new waterfront leisure centre is set to begin next week - bringing with it major disruption to parking in the town.
Preparatory work for the £22 million development will commence on Monday, August 10 and Argyll and Bute Council is urging drivers to find alternative parking options in other parts of the town.
Dozens of spaces at the pier car park site will be lost during the construction phase, with alternative parking available at Maitland Street, Sinclair Street, Grant Street, the multi-storey car park, Craigendoran park and ride and Station Road.
READ MORE: Helensburgh's waterfront: How did we get here and what happens next?
This initial ‘soft start’ will involve fencing off the area behind the current swimming pool so that it can be set up as a safe construction site, and will include introducing measures that comply with national guidance on avoiding the risk of transmitting Covid-19, for example putting in place a one-way site entrance and exit system, two metres distance markers for entering and exiting, and access for essential visitors only.
Car parking spaces on the site used for the phase one construction works area will no longer be available for use from Monday.
Access to the car parking spaces to the front of the swimming pool via the entrance to the car park, at the pier side of the swimming pool, and the electric vehicle charging points, will be maintained during this phase of construction along with access, throughout all construction works, for the residents of Tower Place.
The first phase of construction work will focus on developing flood defences and the new leisure building, with the project expected to be complete by mid-2022.
READ MORE: Helensburgh business chiefs urge rethink over waterfront coach parking plans
The existing swimming pool will be demolished once the new one is built.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, policy lead for strategic finance, said: “Work starting on site is good news, it obviously marks another step towards bringing this amazing facility to life for Helensburgh.
"This is a major construction project though, so, inevitably, and unfortunately, there will be some disruption while work is done.
"We will do all we can to keep it to a minimum, and thanks in advance anyone affected for their co-operation. It will be worth it.”
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