A contractor has been appointed to carry out a £2million facelift on Oban’s seafront.
The work is the second phase of Argyll and Bute Council’s project to rejuvenate the town centre, which saw £600,000 being invested to create a granite terraced area at Stafford Street.
Now a new contractor, Land Engineering, will carry out the work from Stafford Street to George Street, and on Queen’s Park Place and Station Square.
The job is expected to be completed by summer 2016, with the heavy construction work starting towards the end of October.
The design for Station Square provides a flexible events space, a widened seaside pavement, improved shelters for bus passengers, seating, ornamental planting, provision for the taxis and feature lighting columns incorporating a Wifi station.
George Street and Queen’s Park Place will get bespoke seating areas, including planting and feature lighting columns incorporating a wifi station, an improved pavement on the seafront, refurbished railings and replacement lighting along the sea wall.
Now that the contractor is in place, initial meetings have been set up to formalise the programme of work.
The council hopes to keep those affected by the work informed, with regular communication between the project team and local traders as well as weekly updates on progress being provided on the council website.
Councillor Ellen Morton, said: “This is great news for Oban. Things are really starting to take shape with our key regeneration projects there, with Stafford Street completed and the benefits there for all to see. It’s a great space which is being well used, with local traders already starting to see the economic impact.
“Argyll and Bute Council’s focus is on creating the right conditions for economic growth. Attractive town centres bring people in, whether it’s residents or visitors, giving a real boost to local businesses.
“We want to attract people to the area and grow our population and we are sure the successful delivery of the second phase of public realm work will help to do just that.”
Chairman of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “This is another great boost for Oban. Land Engineering is a leading player in public realm work, with a proven track record in high quality delivery.
“Oban should be looking great in time for next summer, being an even more attractive prospect than it already is, bringing people in and boosting the local economy.”