A TOTAL of £400,000 is to be invested into Sylvania Way South in a bid to improve the town centre.

New walkway surfaces, enhanced seating areas, trees and planters will be installed in the uncovered area of the shopping centre, between the Salvation Army building to Chalmers Street.

The improvements, which are being funded by West Dunbartonshire Council with cash from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund, will also look to relocate the current trolley park area adjacent to Chalmers Street to a more suitable location.

Following approval for work to go ahead, officers consulted with members of the public on proposals and considered their comments on the final designs.

Improvements to paving, lighting, planting and seating were all raised by local residents.

As part of the works, any uneven paving will be replaced.

The works were due to start in April but were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure physical distancing, the council has liaised with the contractor to ensure a suitable pedestrian pathway is created while the work is ongoing.

Councillor Marie McNair said: “When this work has been completed, the whole feel of the area will be greatly improved for years to come. This is a well-used and popular part of town already, but the addition of the greenery, seating and improved pathways will help attract more custom to the area and encourage additional footfall into the businesses located there.

“It’s great that the proposals were well received, and reflected what the people of Clydebank felt was needed to improve the area and I look forward to seeing this work progress.”

The council was awarded £859,000 as part of the fund, and other work to be undertaken includes refurbishing three Main Street properties in Alexandria to bring them back into use.