Drivers in Helensburgh are being asked to find alternative parking away from the free section at the town’s waterfront as work begins on its new leisure centre.
Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that preparatory work for the construction, which will be carried out by Heron Brothers, will start on Monday, August 10.
This will mean that the free section of the current pierhead car park will no longer be accessible, in order to allow the site of the new swimming pool to be designated a safe building site.
The new leisure centre is scheduled to open in August 2022. The existing facility will not be demolished until the new one is ready.
Among the alternative off-street parking sites earmarked on a map by the council are Sinclair Street car park, Helensburgh Central railway station and the council’s offices themselves.
Also suggested are Maitland Street, the old gas works site on East Princes Street and the front section of the waterfront, as well as park and ride at Craigendoran and Station Road.
Coach parking space will be on East Princes Street, between Charlotte Street and Maitland Street.
In a statement the council said preparation work would include measures to ensure the site complies with national guidance on avoiding the risk of spreading Covid-19, such as a one-way site entrance and exit system, two-metre distance markers for entering and exiting, and access for essential visitors only.
The statement continues: “Car parking spaces on the site used for the phase one construction works area will be no longer available for use from Monday, August 10.
“Access to the car parking spaces to the front of the swimming pool, via the entrance to the car park at the pier side of the swimming pool, and the electric vehicle charging points will be maintained during this phase of construction, along with access, throughout all construction works, for the residents of Tower Place.”
Heron Brothers were awarded the £19m contract last month after a lengthy tendering process which was extended by an inadvertent technical breach at the council.
The project – which has an overall estimated cost of £22m – will also involve the construction of enhanced flood defences, car parking space and public realm works.
The first phase of construction work will focus on developing flood defences as well as the leisure centre itself.
Cllr Gary Mulvaney, the authority’s policy lead for strategic finance, said: “Work starting on site is good news. It obviously marks another step towards bringing this amazing facility to life for Helensburgh.
“This is a major construction project though, so inevitably, and unfortunately, there will be some disruption while work is done.
“We will do all we can to keep it to a minimum, and thanks in advance anyone affected for their co-operation. It will be worth it.”
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