A MASTERPLAN aiming to transform Alexandria town centre over the next 15 years has been approved.
Twelve projects are included in the £15 million plans, which have now been given the green light by West Dunbartonshire councillors several months after they were unviled.
These include work on Main Street, restoration of the Smollett Fountain, breathing new life into Mitchell Way, refurbishing Alexandria Library and developing a new use for the former St Andrew's Church.
It also focuses on property improvements, new homes and improvements to the cycling and walking network.
The proposals in the new masterplan were approved by WDC's infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee this week.
They replace a previous masterpllan for the town, created in 2008.
The new masterplan also includes spending £100,000 on improvements to Christie Park and £5 million on Lomond Galleries.
Councillor Iain McLaren, the committee's convener, said: "This masterplan will help us to unlock Alexandria's potential and maximise opportunities for the town.
"It will require a collaborative approach over a number of years and I am pleased it is now in place to focus our collective minds on what Alexandria needs and help guide the council and partners as well as attract funding to the area."
Labour councillor John Millar, one of the representatives of the Leven ward, which includes the town, said: “I’ve been calling for more investment to come into Alexandria town centre. I was really pleased to see that the council had allocated an additional £1 million for the town.
"We know there are existing plans for developing part of Mitchell Way, for a new Lidl and we have seen investment at Smollett Fountain and some investment in Alexandria Library.
"But the extra £1m will support other projects in the masterplan and will also help us when we apply for external funding.”
Councillor Millar added: “This is a really good start and I want to thank all those who have helped make it possible including local people and groups who were key to the creation of the revised masterplan for Alexandria.
"The ambitions contained within the Alexandria masterplan would see improved public spaces, more and better housing and better retail facilities to make shopping in the heart of the Vale more attractive to local people and to attract others outwith the area to visit.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here