Argyll and Bute Council has appointed Land Engineering to deliver over £2million of public realm improvements in Oban.
The work, from Stafford Street to George Street, Queen’s Park Place and Station Square, is expected to be complete by summer 2016, with the heavy construction work starting towards the end of October 2015.
Now that the contractor is in place, initial meetings have been set up to formalise the programme of works and get the project moving forward. The council will be focusing on keeping those affected by the works informed, with regular communication between the project team and local traders as well as weekly updates on progress being provided on the council website.
Policy Lead for Infrastructure, Councillor Ellen Morton, welcomed the news saying, ‘’This is great news for people in 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.’’
The design for Station Square provides a shared surface, flexible space for occasional events; a widened seaside footway; an improved shelter for bus passengers; bespoke seating; ornamental planting; provision for the taxis and feature lighting columns incorporating a WIFI repeater station.
George Street and Queen’s Park Place will see bespoke seating areas, including planting and feature lighting columns incorporating a WIFI repeater station; an improved footway on the seafront; refurbished railings and replacement lighting along the sea wall.
