Start date for improvement works to Helmsdale car park

The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service has appointed contractors John Gunn & Sons Ltd. to carry out £76K of resurfacing and environmental improvement works to Helmsdale’s Bridgend Car Park. Work will start on site on Monday 14 October and is expected to last for around six weeks.

The car park will be closed for the duration of the works and there may be temporary traffic measures in place on the adjacent road. Working hours will generally be from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.  It is intended that the public toilets will remain open during the works, but there may be restricted access when paving is being laid to the front of the gent’s toilet.
The works are the second phase of a package of environmental improvement works, which have been funded through The Highland Council’s Planning & Development capital programme, and are aimed at providing quality public space and visitor reception facilities for Helmsdale.

The first phase was completed in time for the village’s recent Translocation Festival which celebrated the bicentenary of the Kildonan Clearances. Village map boards, visitor information panels, and a new Community notice board were installed at various locations around the village. A new path was also installed at Couper Park, in order to provide ‘all abilities’ access to the Emigrant’s Statue, along with new seating and picnic benches.

These works are the result of consultation with the Community Council through the Helmsdale Environmental Improvement Steering Group, which includes representatives from the Helmsdale & District Community Council Helmsdale & District Development Trust, and Timespan.

Local Councillor Deirdre Mackay said:  “We have purposely timed this second phase of work to take place out with the main tourist season in order to cause as little disruption to locals and visitors as possible and I am sure people will be understanding. Bridgend car park is in a prominent location so sprucing it up will make a noticeable difference and will nicely complement the other improvements which have been very well received.”

The works are being overseen by The Highland Council’s consultant engineers, Grontmij. Any site queries should be directed to their Site Supervisor Frank MacCulloch on 01863 810001.