Dumfries town centre activist John Dowson has welcomed the removal of washed-up sand in the Whitesands.
Tonnes of sand and silt have washed up at a seated area over the years.
And Mr Dowson recently called for the area to be cleaned up after dogs had been fouling in the area while children had used it as a sandpit until being warned of the health issues.
He said: “It’s great to see the area cleaned up and all the sand removed.
“I just wonder why it has happened now and if it was anything to do with the flood protection scheme that has been planned for the area.
“The sand and silt has been there for 10 years and there was talk that it was full of hogweed seeds which, if disturbed, could prove a real menace at the waterfront if they were blown about.
“Thankfully it looks like there were no seeds in it.”
Workmen from Dumfries and Galloway Council spent two days removing the sand, which swamped a bench up to the top of its curved handles.
The sand was estimated to be almost three feet deep at the bench and the zone provided difficulties for the workmen as only a small digger could access the site.
One man found a £1 coin among the sand after the first batch had been dug out and said: “I thought there might have been buried treasure there but there was only a pound.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said: “We would only become involved if the area was contaminated and a danger to the public.
“It is more a local authority issue.”
“At least it will hopefully stop dogs fouling in the area.”
