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; 
• Improved accessibility for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail making it easier for kayakers to go between Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal; and
• Changes to the entrance and exit of the south car park.

You can view the plans here

 

Programme of works

We have appointed contractors, P1 Solutions Ltd to carry out the works which started 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 also available adjacent to Pier Square.

The North Car Park has been used as the site compound and from here the contractors have worked on improvements to the garden space, waterfront area, creation of the new public space adjacent to the North Hall and the the car park itself and Chalmers Street footway.

Access to the North Hall and Public Toilets will be maintained throughout the majority of construction works however closures are required when works are taking place immediately outside of these buildings.

Whilst construction works are taking place along the Chalmers Street footway, closure of the pavement will be required and traffic management may be in place during this phase of the works.

A temporary bus stop is in use for all south bound buses towards Campbeltown whilst works to the footway are completed. The temporary bus stop is adjacent to the southern car park. The north bound bus stop is unaffected. 

There will be no access to the slipway or beach for the period of the works, access to the shore is available south of Ardrishiag Harbour. 

Towards the end of the project the entrance and exit for the south car park will be amended with signage and white line arrows being altered.

The majority of works have now been completed including installation of paving to the new square and lochside viewing area; new landscaping; installation of new street furniture and resurfacing of the footways. The remaining elements of work are the resin bound gravel surfacing, which will form some of the paths and fill in the tree pits, and the whitelining of the car parks and A83. We are awaiting an appropriate weather window to complete these works.

Planned works	Dates for undertaking	Status
Pre-construction Preparation	June - August 2022	Complete
Site Set Up & Establishment	August/September 2022	Complete
Garden space works	September 2022 – April 2023	Ongoing
Waterfront works	September 2022 - April 2023	Ongoing
Public square works	October 2022 - March 2023	Complete
Car park, footway and bus stop works	January - April 2023	Ongoing
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:

Andrew Collins - email Andrew.Collins@argyll-bute.gov.uk or telephone 01436 657633.

Progress reports 

29 March 2023 - 

The majority of works have now been completed including installation of paving to the new square and Lochside viewing area; new landscaping; installation of new street furniture and resurfacing of the footways.  The sub-contractor suppling the new bus shelter is currently onsite (29th) installing at the new location.

The remaining elements of work are the resin bound gravel surfacing, which will form some of the paths and fill in the tree pits, and the white and yellow lining of the car parks and A83.

We are awaiting an appropriate weather window to complete these works, however we finding it difficult to book a date in as the forecast has rain every single (working) day so far up until the 10th April.

The main contractor and specialist resin surfacing sub-contractor are monitoring the weather forecasts closely and will complete the works as quickly as possible when the opportunity arises.

 

17 February 2023 - 

Progress over past fortnight:

• Phase 2 works to seawall viewing platform
• Masonry wall complete
• Installation of 2 No Marker masts, complete
• Subsoil for amenity grass area north of viewing platform, complete
• Turf, complete
• Grouting, complete

Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall

• Paving setts and edgings, complete
• Tree planting, complete
• Grouting, complete

Phase 4 works along A83 and kayak route to slipway

• Completed Install of steel edge restraints and place gravel base course around tree bases at old bus stop
• Hammerhead, complete
• Tree pits, complete
• BT completed asset relevelling and insurance cable installation works

    

Expected progress over next fortnight:

• SSEN on site Monday (20th) to complete electric cable rerouting to bus layby
• Complete kerbing and backfill to bus layby

• Central garden paths to be prepped for resin works.

• w/c 27th Feb -  Final Tar Surfacing works
• w/c 27th Feb - Resin surfacing works – Weather and temperature dependant
• w/c 27th Feb - Refurbishment of central garden bench

Works are progressing well and P1 are on programme to complete works a head of schedule during March. This however includes programming installation of the resin bound gravel (requiring a dry not cold day) for w/b 27 February, so are a little sceptical about whether the current completion date will be met. We do however expect that most other works will be completed within the next couple of weeks.

12 January 2023 -

• Phase 2 works to seawall viewing platform
• Continued construction of masonry wall

 

• Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall
• Commenced placement of sett paving and edgings
• Planted shrubs to front of hall

Expected progress over next fortnight:

• Phase 2 works to seawall viewing platform
• Subject to weather, completion of masonry wall
• Place edging to, and recommence subbase and base course build-up of, coastal path north of viewing platform
• Place subsoil for amenity grass area north of viewing platform

Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall

• Complete placing sett paving and edgings (only grouting of sett joints remaining thereafter), and reopen public toilet access
• Install steel edge restraints and place gravel base course around base of tree in front of hall

Phase 4 works along A83 and kayak route to slipway

• To southern end of new footpath at old bus stop: breakout and remove remaining existing surface of carpark; install kerbs; and, place Type 1 base
• Install steel edge restraints and place gravel base course around tree bases at old bus stop
• BT to commence and complete asset relevelling and insurance cable installation works.

9 December -

Progress over past fortnight:

• Phase 2 works around seawall viewing platform
• Placed asphalt base to ramp to viewing platform, to receive precast concrete sett paving
• Corten railings and tall marker post for seawall viewing platform delivered to site

Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall

• Temporarily reopened access to public toilets and hall
• Placed remaining geotextile separation layer, Type 1 subbase, and asphalt base to receive precast concrete sett paving
• Sett paving delivered to site

Phase 4 works along A83 and kayak route to slipway

• Saw cut tie-in line along A83 road surface for new footpath kerb
• Cleared existing bus stop and north of carpark entrance down to existing Type 1 base for reuse
• Removed existing bus shelter
• Installed new kerb-line to western and eastern side of new footpath over old bus stop
• Excavated and filled tree pit at old bus stop
• Placed and compacted Type 1 base to half of new footpath over old bus stop
• Tall marker post for canal bank delivered to site
• Trees, hedges, and shrubs delivered to site
• Planted some of new trees to tree pit along kayak route to slipway

  

 

Progress anticipated over next fortnight:

• Phase 2 works to seawall viewing platform
• Construct masonry wall (subject to frost conditions)
• Replace existing seawall railing with Corten handrail
• Commence placing grit-cement bedding and precast concrete sett pavers to viewing platform
• Install tall marker post to viewing platform

Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall

• Plant trees to tree pit
• Install aluminium edging to tree pit
• Commence placing grit-cement bedding and precast concrete sett pavers

Phase 4 works along A83 and kayak route to slipway

• Place remaining Type 1 base for new footway over old bus stop
• Plant trees to tree pit at old bus stop and remaining trees to tree pit along kayak route to slipway
• Install aluminium edging to tree pit at old bus stop

It is expected that work will cease for the festive period on 22 December 2022 and will restart on 4 January 2023.

25 November - 

Progress over past fortnight:

• Phase 3 works in front of public toilets and hall
• Cleared existing ground down to formation
• Installed most of slot drain, gully, and pipe from gully to interface between Phase 2 and 3 areas at seawall
• Installed base of Christmas tree socket, and installed duct from public toilets power box to tree socket
• Installed kerbing to between public toilets and seawall, to between north eastern corner of carpark and seawall, to along foot of public toilets and hall, and to front of hall for edge of resin bound gravel surface
• Placed geotextile, Type 1 subbase, and tar base to most of area in front of public toilets and hall, to receive precast concrete sett paving
• Excavated and filled hall tree pit
• Repaired hall foul pipe from sink
• Placed geotextile, Type 1 subbase, and 2-6mm cement-bound grit base in front of hall, to receive resin bound gravel surface 
• Filled hall shrub bed with soil

 

 

Expected progress over next fortnight:

• Reopen access to hall and public toilets temporarily
• Phase 4 works along A83 from hall to entrance to northern carpark
• Extend Heras fencing out onto A83 carriageway along existing bus stop, and erect traffic management signage
• Saw cut new kerb alignment line into existing carriageway surface and install kerb-line for western edge of newly aligned footpath
• Retract Heras fencing back inwards to provide more room for traffic to pass on A83
• Clear existing footpath and bus layby surface down to formation
• Install kerb-line for eastern edge of newly aligned footpath
• Disconnect power from existing bus shelter, and remove bus shelter

Replace existing seawall handrail with new COR-TEN steel handrail at viewing platform

 

Public Toilets:

To facilitate the ongoing public realm project at Ardrishaig the public toilets are expected to be closed  again from 15 December – 22 December 2022

Bus Stop:

A temporary bus stop has been placed adjacent to the southern car park and is available for all south bound buses. 

11 November - 

Progress over past fortnight:

• Phase 2 – Viewing Platform and Amenity Space 
• Installed pin kerbs and placed Type 1 subbase to vehicular strip from carpark to coastal path 
• Installed new kerb along most of eastern edge of northern carpark
• Installed kerbs and placed Type 1 subbase to ramp to viewing platform 
• Placed remaining topsoil to grass strip south of ramp to viewing platform
• Placed Type 3 to remaining section of coastal path up to slot drain at viewing platform 
• Installed picnic tables and benches to amenity area 
• Placed 2-6mm cement-bound grit base course to beneath picnic benches and to a few metres of coastal path just south of viewing platform 

  

• Phase 3 – Public Square 
• Moved site units south to accommodate commencement of first phase of Phase 3 works in front of toilets and hall 
• Broken-out and removed existing surface down to formation across ground from seawall to most of main tree pit 
• Excavated most of main tree pit along northern edge of carpark, and placed root protection barrier, drainage course, subsoil, and structural tree soil
• Installed most of kerb to northern edge of carpark

• Phase 4 - Carpark and Footpaths
• Installed brick shaft and cover to gully at southern slot drain, and installed aluminium edging from gully to adjacent coastal path
• Placed tarmac base course to kayak route and footpath behind new bus stop 

Expected progress over next fortnight:

• Phase 3 - Pubic Square
• Extend site northwards and westwards, closing-off public toilets and hall to commence second phase of Phase 3 works
• Break-out and remove remaining ground down to formation in front of public toilets and hall
• Excavate and fill hall tree pit and remainder of main northern tree pit
• Install slot drain, edging and remaining kerbing
• Place subsoil and topsoil to hedge and shrub bed
• Reset ironworks
• Place Type 1 to cleared area
• Place tar and 2-6mm cement-bound grit base courses to Type 1
• Install street furniture including foundations

Public Toilets:

To facilitate the ongoing public realm project at Ardrishaig the public toilets are expected to be closed 14 November – 21 November and 15 December – 22 December 2022, these dates may change.

Alternative facilities are available to view at Public toilets in Argyll and Bute (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

1 November -

Progress over past fortnight:

• At seawall viewing platform:
• Broke-out and cleaned-back large lump of mass concrete behind seawall, to accommodate paving build-up
• Placed Type 1 and tarmac for paving build-up
• Replaced concrete foundation for masonry wall
• Installed slot drain

  

 

• Drainage along coastal path:
• Installed 2no pipe connections to existing northern coastal outfall pipe
• Excavated trench for pipe along coastal path and commenced pipe installation
• Installed 1no gully to improve drainage in carpark, and 1no gully to discharge water from slot drain at southern edge of carpark

Placed electrical supply ducting from northern carpark entrance to new bus shelter location

Expected progress for next fortnight:

• Install most of new kerbs to eastern edge of northern carpark
• Complete drainage works along coastal path
• To vehicular strip connecting northern carpark to coastal path: place tarmac and install pin kerbs
• Install drop kerbing for connection from northern carpark to seawall viewing platform
• Break-out and remove existing planter build-out into northern carpark
• Install picnic benches
• Place base course beneath picnic benches to receive resin bound gravel surface
• Complete placement of last of topsoil to amenity space behind seawall
• Commence first phase of works closer in front of public toilets and North Church Hall:
• Strip existing surface, excavate to formation, and place Type 1 base course for first paving area
• Excavate and build-up tree pits, and place surrounding aluminium edging
• Install slot drain

Advance Notice:

To undertake works to the frontage of the Public Toilets building, the toilets will be closed on two separate occasions. The first closure, for 12 Days between the 11th November – 21 November, 2022 and the second closure for 6 Days between the 8 December – 15 December, 2022

 

14 October 2022 - 

Progress this week (w/b 10/10/2022):

• Tree pit at southern edge of northern carpark: completed placing drainage course, tree anchor systems, root protection barrier, subsoil course, most of structural tree soil, most of carpark kerb, and, most of slot drain.
• Completed placing geotextile and surface gravel to edge of path down to slipway and to around memorial
• Excavated to formation at viewing platform

Expected progress for next fortnight:

• Tree pit at southern edge of northern carpark: complete placement of structural tree soil, slot drain, and carpark kerb
• To viewing platform at seawall:
  • Break-out and remove section of concrete from back of existing seawall to accommodate paving build-up
  • Install slot drain
  • Place concrete foundation for new masonry wall
  • Place Type 1 subbase, and tarmac base, and commence placement of bedding and precast concrete sett paving
  • Repair broken pipe at unmapped gully excavated
  • BT Openreach to commence modifications to existing infrastructure around access chamber at new bus stop location

Advance Notice: To undertake works to the frontage of the Public Toilets building, the toilets will be closed between 23 November and 15 December 2022.

7 September 2022 - 

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 - www.ardrishaig.net. 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

Andrew Collins

Email Andrew.Collins@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

Telephone 01436 657633.