The Ardrishaig North Public Realm improvements is one of 6 projects that was selected to be taken forward through the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.
The John Smith Memorial Garden and adjoining open space and car parks are important public spaces in the heart of Ardrishaig, lying between Chalmers Street and Loch Gilp, and extending south from the public halls. Thanks to the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund, Argyll and Bute Council have the opportunity to work with the local community to deliver improvements to the area. These will complement the investments that the community itself is making in the public halls.
It has been a long term aspiration of local residents and community organisations in Ardrishaig to see these spaces be made more attractive including provision of better space for community events, improvements to the car parks and upgrading of the paths and landscaping.
The project aims to improve the public realm around Chalmers Street to create an attractive environment which encourages people to stop, visit, enjoy and spend time in.
Following several rounds of public consultation, the improvements will include:
- A new public space adjacent to the North Hall;
- An improved waterside walkway with seating and a new lochside viewing area;
- Improvements to the public garden between the two car parks;
- Retention and reorganisation of the existing north car park including additional disabled parking;
- Installation of dropped kerbs and paving to make access easier for all;
- Relocation of the bus stop to enable a crossing to the Public Hall and better links towards the Crinan Canal; and
- Improved accessibility for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail making it easier for kayakers to go between Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal.
Programme of works
We have appointed contractors, P1 Solutions Ltd to carry out the works which are starting on 29 August 2022 and are expected to complete during spring 2023.
Work to improve the public realm in Ardrishaig will involve substantial engineering and landscaping works but we will be working with the contractors to minimise disruption as much as possible during construction.
Due to the scale and nature of the works, it will be necessary to close the site, this is the only safe way to deliver the works while protecting our contractors and the public. For the majority of the construction period the north car park will be closed however the south car park will remain fully open, alternative parking provision is available adjacent to Pier Square.
** ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE NORTH CAR PARK - ADJACENT TO THE PUBLIC TOILET AND NORTH HALL - BEFORE 8AM MONDAY 29 AUGUST 2022 **
The North Car Park will be used as the site compound and from here the contractors are expected to work initially on the garden space before moving to the waterfront area. Following this, works will focus on creation of the new public space adjacent to the North Hall and then finally on the car park itself and Chalmers Street footway.
Access to the North Hall and Public Toilets will be maintained throughout the construction works.
Whilst construction works are taking place along the Chalmers Street footway, closure of the pavement will be required and traffic management will be in place during this phase of the works. We will work with the contractor to minimise disruption to both pedestrians and bus users.
There will be no access to the slipway or beach for the period of the works, access to the shore is available south of Ardrishaig Harbour.
More detail will be added as the project progresses.
| Planned works | Dates for undertaking | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-construction Preparation | June - August 2022 | Ongoing |
| Site Set Up & Establishment | August/September 2022 | |
| Garden space works | September 2022 – February 2023 | |
| Waterfront works | September 2022 - February 2023 | |
| Public square works | October 2022 - February 2023 | |
| Car park, footway and bus stop works | January - March 2023 | |
| Handover and completion | April 2023 |
Progress Updates
We will be providing regular updates on the works, including photos, by email to key stakeholders and interested parties, and on this webpage.
If you have any further questions or would like to be included in the regular email update please contact:
Anna Watkiss - email anna.watkiss@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01546 604344.
Progress reports
7 September 2022 -
P1 Solutions Ltd, commenced work on the Ardrishaig North Public Realm project on 29 August 2022. Since then work has focused on:
• Site setup including installation of all welfare and storage units and, erection of security fencing;
• Existing paving around central tree in garden area removed and reinstated flat at higher level, to remove trip hazards and avoid tree roots;
• Repaired damaged patches on four paths through garden area;
• Removed existing path along back of seawall, ready to receive new path material;
• Cleared hedge and shrubs from along edge of northern car park, to prepare area for new surfacing.
Planned works progress for next the 2 weeks include:
• In the waterfront and garden space
- Construct new seawall path
- Install aluminium edging
- Place Type 1 and tar base layers, ready to receive final resin bound gravel surface towards end of project
- Relocate bin and map board sign
- Place gravel surface to edge of new path down to jetty
- Repaint seat around garden central tree
22 August 2022 - Work is due to start on 29 August 2022. The Council has employed contractors P1 Solutions Ltd to undertake the works and they have indicated that works will commence in the garden area before extending around to the waterfront, focusing on the new public square and finally the works to the Chalmers Street (A83) footway. It is expected that works will be completed so that the site can be opened for summer 2023.
During the course of works there will be some disruptions, whilst the contractors will be working to keep these to a minimum they are unavoidable for the planned improvements to be put in place. The northern of the two Council car parks in Ardrishaig will be closed from 29 August 2022 and we are asking that all vehicles are removed by this date. The car park will be used for the contractor’s compound and as such it would not be safe for it to be used by members of the public during the period of construction. The southern car park will remain open and unaffected.
Access to the Argyll Kayak Trail launch point, slip and beach will closed off whilst works are ongoing. Alternative access to the shore is available south of Ardrishaig Harbour. Access to the public toilets and the North Hall will remain open throughout the works however pedestrians should follow signage as appropriate. When works are undertaken along the footway it is expected that this area will be closed off and traffic management will be put in place, we will advise further about this closer to the time.
The contractor is planning to hold an information evening and information will be posted on this page as soon as it is available.
12 July 2022 – we have let a contract for the works in Ardrishaig to P1 Solutions Ltd and off site preparatory work is underway. It is expected that works will commence late August/early September and be completed Spring 2023.
Public consultation
The designs were informed by a steering group which included community representation from Ardrishaig Community Council and Ardrishaig Community Trust. Public consultation events open to everybody took place in September 2019 and June 2020, the latter online due to government restrictions in relation to Covid-19. A dedicated website detailing the proposals and enabling interested parties to have their say was established. The information provided helped to shape the final design which seeks to deliver the key elements which the local community said were important to them.
You can read the consultation report from the June 2020 consultation.
The planning application for the final design was submitted in April 2021, reference number 21/00868/PP, with approval being granted on 30th September 2021. Details of the planning application and the decision can be viewed here.
Our funders
The project is funded by Argyll and Bute Council’s Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund, The Crown Estate Scotland, Sustrans, The Green Infrastructure Fund and HiTrans.
Contact details
Anna Watkiss
Senior Development Officer
Argyll and Bute Council
Whitegates Office
Lochgilphead
Email: anna.watkiss@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Phone: 01546 604344