Upgrade works at Wick riverside car park to resume after Covid disruption – 'I’m really keen to get things moving and completed,' says Councillor Bremner

After delays due to Covid it has just been announced that upgrade work will resume at Wick's riverside car park.

Wick and East Caithness councillor, Raymond Bremner, is sending a report to the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) about the scheduled work due to take place after the departure of the Covid testing centre.

Works had started on the riverside area improvements in late 2019 with demolition of superstore trolley bunds, the full resurfacing of the car park and installation of electrical vehicle chargers. However, the project was never completely finished after Covid restrictions hit in March 2020. A Covid testing centre was set up in the car park in January 2021 but is now in the process of being removed. While understanding the need for the facility, Cllr Bremner had pushed for it to be relocated last May as it "conflicted with parking for motorhomes and caravanettes".

Councillor Bremner stated that he was keen to see a programme in place that will restart the completion works as soon as possible and this will include:

• the lining of the parking bays
• surveying and erection of new locational and directional signage
• landscaping works
• new bus stance works being worked on by Wick Development Trust
• lining of coach parking bays
• installation of new CCTV camera infrastructure to be installed where the testing station is currently located
• the renovation of the public convenience at Whitechapel Road – plans for which are currently progressing through planning

Councillor Bremner said: “The past two years have been a really, really tough time for our local community and Covid has delayed the completion of a lot of projects we had started.

"The plans for the full redevelopment of the riverside area after securing the funding and clarifying that the car park area is indeed common good land were put on hold when Covid hit. There has been little ability to complete the improvements as the area has been host to the government’s testing centre.

"The testing centre has been welcomed by the local community and the work everyone has done there has been greatly appreciated. Now that the work of the centre is completed, I have received clarification that the centre will vacate the riverside area early August. It’s important that we are ready to complete the development of the area and that we ensure plans are in place ready to restart.

"The riverside area has been a key focus to provide a more welcoming and improved visual amenity for locals and visitors alike and is also a key focus for the regeneration of the town centre. I’m really keen to get things moving and completed, now that we have the chance to do so.”

Related article:

Councillor calls for Covid testing centre to be moved out of Wick riverside car park

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