Garnock Flood Protection Scheme Progressing

 Along with my fellow councillors for Kilbirnie and Beith and council officers I was pleased to get a closer view of the progress on the scheme last week. The flood limiting culvert is now in place and already offering some protection to Kilbirnie and Glengarnock residents.

It has been a long haul to secure government funding for the scheme and it is great to see the flood defences now taking shape. Over the years various proposals were turned down and it was a constant challenge to convice government to commit their 80% of the project.

Work starts on new Moorpark Primary School.

 

Pupils joined teachers, councillors, construction partners Clark Contracts and other representatives after the first turf was cut on the new Moorpark Primary.

The new £10.85 million facility, which will replace the existing school and sit opposite the current building, is expected to be complete by Easter 2023.

Following changes to the school roll and the relocation of Garnock Academy, plans were put forward to modernise the existing establishment. But after detailed surveys, it was agreed that the most cost-effective and best solution was to build a new school.

The new Moorpark Primary will have 12 primary classes and a 24-place Early Years facility.

Councillor John Bell, cabinet member for education, said: “We are delighted to be here cutting the turf to signal the beginning of this exciting new development.

“Moorpark was built in 1978 and has been a really popular school for the community. We obviously looked at the option of modernising the existing facility but think the option of a new-build is the best way forward for this and future generations of school pupils and their families.