Official opening of Fort William Underpass project
One of Fort William’s key pedestrian thoroughfares will re-open this weekend after a four-week long makeover. A ceremony is being held at noon on Saturday 5 June at which Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, will open the new-look underpass at the east end of the town.
The underpass has benefited from substantial funding from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund, as well as funding from The Highland Council and the EU Highland LEADER Programme 2007-13. The refurbishment has been carried out in conjunction with the redevelopment of the west end of the High Street, as part of the town centre improvement project ‘Routes West’, which also sees the linking of the new end of the West Highland Way with the Great Glen Way.
For several years, Fort William underpass had suffered from significant vandalism. Recognising this as an important and very well used pedestrian access to the town facilities and the Great Glen Way, a steering group was formed by those who had an interest in seeking a solution to provide a more manageable, attractive public space. Members of the steering group included The Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport Service, Chief Executive’s Service, TEC Services, street lighting, criminal justice service, the Streetwork project, Fort William Community Council, Ward 22 Councillors, Lochaber High School and talented individuals with a real interest to see the public space improved.
The steering group quickly saw the opportunity to fully involve the community of all ages in creating an exciting vibrant scheme. It was felt that this involvement would help bring a sense of pride and ownership to the space and enable those who use the area to create something that they and others would enjoy passing through everyday.
Room 13, a social enterprise and educational project that started in Caol Primary School, worked with the community to bring the creative ideas and designs alive for the artwork panels and banners. “Pass it on” quickly became a unique public artwork project created by and for the people of Lochaber to take pride of place in the underpass. Over 700 people of all ages have attended open studio and workshop events culminating in the creation of artwork which reflects Lochaber’s history, culture, music, sport and the splendour of the local landscape.
Although the artwork has provided the creative lead for the scheme, the whole area was also designed to introduce colour, bring a modern contemporary feel and provide clean lines for easy maintenance. The use of new lighting technologies, stainless steel cladding, feature banner lighting poles, new soft and hard landscaping and an injection of colour all feature in the finished scheme.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison said: “The Town Centre Regeneration Fund is good news for high streets across the country. These are hard times for businesses and families across Scotland and the Scottish Government is working hard to meet this challenge. I am delighted to be here to open this vital link to Fort William town centre. This funding highlights the importance of Scotland's town centres to the economic and social fabric of the nation and our commitment to the improvement of our local high streets.”
Council Leader, Councillor Michael Foxley said: “This is a tremendous example of community involvement in devising an innovative way of improving this important town centre thoroughfare. The facelift is very impressive and many congratulations go to everyone who has funded and created this scheme.”