BORDER BOOST . . . an illustration of how Gretna’s town centre will look following a £1.1 million makeover, which is due to start next month
Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning, environment and infrastructure committee awarded the money to transform Central Avenue last November, and contractor P1 Solutions Ltd has now been appointed to start the work in the New Year.
The regeneration project is one of 13 identified in the Gretna Masterplan, which was adopted in 2008 and outlined the need to define the area around Central Avenue and Kirtle Place as the ‘settlement centre’.
And the main vision for the project is to revitalise the central space to reflect a ‘garden village’ with new tree planting and landscaping as well as repaving main pedestrian routes.
Welcoming the revamp, which is expected to be completed towards the end of 2016, Annandale East and Eskdale councillor Craig Peacock, who is vice chairman of the council’s economy, environment and infrastructure committee, said: “I am delighted this ambitious regeneration project has been given the go-ahead, and when complete it will physically link several green spaces and be a far more attractive place for locals and visitors to spend time.
“I also believe that through this investment in the infrastructure the local economy will prosper and businesses in the vicinity will benefit through increased footfall as a result of the revitalisation.”
He added: “This project has taken a long time to come to fruition and I understand
that some people will be inconvenienced while the work is taking place, but I think the end product of a revitalised, clean and pleasant High Street and surrounding area for people to enjoy will be worth it. Gretna needs investment and I am pleased the council has worked with us to get this project underway.”
Other projects that have been delivered from the Gretna Masterplan are a £250,000
makeover of Springfield and Gretna Green, a series of heritage walks and the refurbishment of the Richard Greenhow Centre.
A meeting will be held in the New Year for neighbouring businesses and residents to view the plans for the ‘public realm’ enhancements and to discuss the programme of work with the project team.
