Work on a £1.6m project to revamp Alva’s main street is currently underway.
The design and improvement work has been put together by Alva Community Plan Action Group, a sub-group of Alva Community Council, Alva Development Trust and Sustrans.
The work includes new stone paving, street lights, seats and benches, hanging baskets, trees and planters as well as new bus shelters, cycle parking and an ebike charging station.
The cost of the project is being met Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme with £889,000 and Clackmannanshire Council providing at least £600,000.
Alva Community Plan Action Group has met periodically since 2018 with council officers to consult on the matter and more than 650 people dropped in to a three-day public consultation in February 201
Sandra Rees of Alva Community Action Plan Action Group said: “The final plans are a result of a shared vision for a clean, bright and attractive main street and should strengthen the identity of Alva and make it more functional for residents and visitors alike.
“Driving change from the ground up on behalf of the wider Alva community, we consider collaboration with Clackmannanshire Council for this project to have been a good example of community empowerment and would like to thank the officers.”
Three new traffic controlled pedestrian crossings will be installed on Stirling Street, by Queen Street, Cobden Street and Brook Street.
The junctions at Queen Street, Brook Street and Cobden Street will be raised to slow traffic and to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists.
And a new car park will be created at the north end of Norton Street.
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Clackmannanshire Council environment spokesperson councillor Craig Holden commented: “I am delighted to see this work getting underway and am impressed by what has been achieved through a truly collective effort. This represents a significant capital investment for the council and I’m sure it will bring tangible improvements for local people and businesses.”
The work is being carried out by JH Civil Engineering and is due to be completed in November this year.
Sustrans Scotland infrastructure manager Thomas Haddock said: “This is a fantastic project, which has been led by the Alva community through the action group.
“We look forward to seeing the completed works, which will create a more pleasant, accessible space for the whole community to enjoy.”
