Balloch Village Plans: final week of consultation & what happens next
The third public engagement session for the Balloch Village Plans project took place on 26th March at the National Park Headquarters. It was brilliant to see such a great turnout! Over 80 people dropped-in to view and comment on the design options for the redesign of Balloch Village Square, Station Square and Balloch Road West.
Feedback from the event, along with that gained via the project website, will be used to help refine the designs before an exhibition in June. We would like to thank everyone who has taken part with the process so far and encourage those who haven’t to take the time to view and comment on the proposals using the methods below before the 17th May.
What is the Balloch Village Plans project?
It is an ambitious project to transform the station square and village square and improve the connection between the two. It aims to:
- Make Balloch an easier place to walk and cycle in
- Create a stronger sense of place in Balloch
- Strengthen the village as a tourist destination
The proposals have been developed by Sustrans, following public consultation events and also include plans to create a high quality, easily accessible environment; formalised parking and better-managed traffic; a safer environment; improved facilities including signage and lighting; and reduced clutter in the wider village.
How do I view the designs and give my feedback?
You can view and comment on the proposals:
- The proposals can be viewed on the project website, Commonplace, where comments can be submitted and viewed anonymously: https://ballochproposals.commonplace.is/
- At public locations.There is a public display of the design proposals outside the Tourist Information Centre and Moss O’Balloch Park – look out for the lamp post banners. Further detailed designs and feedback forms will be available inside the following locations to allow you to submit your views into a secure comment box: Tourist Information Centre; National Park Headquarters; and Balloch Library.
What happens next?
The next steps in the process will see the final proposals, shaped by the feedback received during the consultation process, being displayed during an exhibition scheduled for 2 weeks, from June 7, 2017. Thereafter, a detailed design development and procurement process will follow, with works to be delivered by West Dunbartonshire Council in cooperation with the project steering group.
Currently, the plan is to deliver the works in two phases – Village Square and Balloch Rd West as Phase 1, followed by Station Square as Phase 2. The works will start in 2018 and will be scheduled to avoid the busy tourist season.
How do I stay updated?
You can keep in touch with LIVE in Balloch and the Village Plans project at www.liveinballoch.com, www.facebook.com/ourlivepark or the Balloch Village plans project website at https://ballochproposals.commonplace.is/.
The project is part of an exciting initiative called ‘LIVE in Balloch’, which is helping to shape the future of Balloch. It is a partnership between Sustrans Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.