PLANS to spend almost £200,000 on upgrades to Helensburgh Pier and Hermitage Park have been backed by councillors.

Proposals to allocate £191,000 to the two areas were approved by members of Argyll and Bute Council’s policy and resources committee last week.

As revealed by the Advertiser on August 5, £163,000 will be used to improve the hard landscaping on the masonry section of the pier and to install new lighting, while £28,000 will be spent on a ‘Greening the Bothy’ project in the park, converting an existing container to ‘green design’ guidelines.

Helensburgh Central Conservative councillor Gary Mulvaney told the meeting: “When you look at the existing pier up against the water, it did look like we needed to do some work there, so this plan gives us the opportunity to resurface the existing masonry pier and get the railings done.”

Richard Trail (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) added: “I am delighted to see the improvements being done to the pier and I know the residents of Helensburgh will appreciate it.

“I also hope that some day in the future, Helensburgh pier will be able to be used again on a commercial basis.”

READ MORE: Cash is on the way for pier repairs, says Helensburgh councillor