MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2023, Issue 104 - Redevelopment of Regent Gardens, Kirkintilloch

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      104-23

    • Subject:

      Redevelopment of Regent Gardens, Kirkintilloch

    • Responsible Officer:

      Heather Holland, Executive Officer – Land Planning & Development

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    Section

    1. The purpose of the Technical Note is to provide Members with information on the project to redevelop the Regent Gardens area in Kirkintilloch.
    2. Funding was agreed at Council on 4 November 2021 under agenda item 14, report PNCA/091/21/AB.
    3. The redevelopment of Regent Gardens is a Council-led project in partnership with Your Kirky (Kirkintilloch Community Council).
    4. The Gardens are at the heart of Kirkintilloch town centre, but at the moment the space lacks flexibility and has accessibility issues – including different levels, kerbs and sloping.
    5. The aim of the project is to create a more user-friendly space which can better host events, markets and visitors.
    6. It is also planned to create improved links between the Gardens, Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Peel Park – attracting more people to all three and creating more opportunities for joint events.
    7. Construction is due to take place from 10 July 2023 and will last approximately six months. Union Street will be closed to traffic while works take place.
    8. Local parking and pedestrian access to nearby businesses, buildings and facilities will be maintained as much as possible, however, there may not be a thoroughfare and vehicles could be required to follow traffic light systems.

    Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout. Contractors are consulting key businesses, facilities and buildings to understand their needs and to accommodate these as best as possible.

    1. Highlights include:

    Regent Gardens:

    • Creation of a flat, green, flexible central space for events, with semi-permanent canopies
    • Sustainable landscape scheme, integrating and retaining all existing mature trees
    • Better seating, informal play features and a lighting scheme
    • Provision of defibrillator via reuse of iconic red telephone box

    Union Street:

    • Enhanced physical links from Cowgate and Regent Gardens to Peel Park and Kirkintilloch Town Hall through Union Street redesign, widening of pavements and introduction of landscape elements. Vehicles will still be able to access Union Street, but traffic-calming measures will be introduced.
    • Enhanced accessibility across the Gardens and Union Street, including 'tapping strip' to assist visually impaired users.
    1. Plans have been informed by community consultation carried out via Your Kirky and the design team, involving a range of stakeholder groups – including people with visual impairments.
    2. Updates will be provided via the Council and Your Kirky websites and social media. As well as a media release, a webpage with FAQs has been created