WORKS to upgrade and improve McJerrow Park in Lockerbie could finally be on the horizon.
There’s only a couple more bits of officialdom to be completed and, after years of waiting and planning, the project can start.
Annandale North Councillor Gail Macgregor gave an update to Lockerbie Community Council on Tuesday night and it was good news.
She said: “The whole thing is moving on. The Lockerbie Trust met this afternoon (Tuesday) to finalise what they would like to happen to the park – and King Edward’s Park too.
“The report should be in the public domain by next week, by midweek, on what’s proposed.”
And she revealed there won’t be any huge deviations from the original plans which went to public consultation last month and included a paddling pool, bandstand, outdoor gym equipment, pump track and multi use games area spread across the two parks.
The matter will now go to the next meeting of the Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Committee on June 6 for their ratification.
Mrs Macgregor added: “The trust now need the permission of the Common Good to use that land for that reason.
“Once that’s gone through the Common Good, hopefully without an issue, then at least 30 per cent of the project will get going quickly.
“There’s a couple of steps to go through but we are getting there.”
She explained that the priority order for different elements may need to change ‘for practical reasons’, with parts like the Changing Places toilet going out to tender and additional funding streams sought.
Turning to the public response to the proposals, at a drop in at the town hall, the councillor said: “The consultation had a pretty good turnout of all ages.
“On top of that, community groups have been consulted and the primary and secondaries schools in the Lockerbie area as it’s not just for the central town.
“The consultation has been well attended and had good feedback.”
Community councillor Helen Haggart welcomed the update but noted there had been a lot of feeling locally about the inclusion of a memorial cairn.
She added: “The big thing that no-one wants is another memorial.”
n In 2019 it was reported that the Lockerbie Trust was putting its final £2.4 million towards the park project. However, no updates on the cost of the proposed works have since been given.
