We were pleased to join with West Dunbartonshire Council this month to celebrate the official opening of the recently completed Village Square project in Balloch.The project was first identified in the <a href="http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Charrette-report.pdf">Balloch charrette</a> in 2016 where members of the community recognised an opportunity to make more of the space in front of the Moss O’ Balloch as an active centre of the village.A series of consultation events were held during the development of the project to consider improvement options for the square. We would like to thank everyone who took part in all these consultation events as the feedback and comments that were received really helped to shape the final design of the project.Works began in January 2019 and delivered a new and improved civic space, built with quality materials including granite setts and Caithness stone, along with new ‘street furniture’ such as raised tables and bicycle storage to create a sense of place, now befitting activities such as seasonal markets or performances.The works also delivered:<li>Wider sections of paving in key locations to enhance the space and provide opportunities for additional seating areas;</li> <li>A series of traffic calming measures including a narrower carriage way to discourage illegal parking; and</li> <li>Upgrading of footways leading from the project area to the entrance to Balloch Country Park and to the Balloch Bridge.</li><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1569189620/projects/ballochproposals/8b3888f7-0997-4112-90a3-b78442813236.jpg" /><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1569189685/projects/ballochproposals/30c6d517-5cd4-4e74-ac8b-d7ff94832f4b.png" /> A key feature of the improved space is the reinstated fountain commemorating a famous Balloch boat hirer. The feature, which is dedicated to Henry Thomas Lynn, was returned following feedback from community members including Mr Lynn’s great granddaughter Isobel Martin during the consultation events.Also within the project are inscriptions that were created by local school children from Balloch Primary and St Kessogs. The two schools worked together to produce a number of phrases which are etched into the pavement including ‘Be Brilliant at Balloch, the Bonniest place to Be.’The family of Mr Lynn and pupils from the two schools also joined the official opening, along with representatives from West Dunbartonshire Council, the National Park Authority and Balloch and Haldane Community Council.For further information, please email <a href="mailto:livepark@lochlomond-trossachs.org">livepark@lochlomond-trossachs.org</a>

Balloch Village Square officially opened

Working in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council and Loch Lomond &amp; The Trossachs National Park, we have developed design proposals for new signage along Balloch Road. This has been developed from feedback we received during the Balloch Village Plans (Street Design) consultation that was completed in June 2017. To view these design proposals, please download a copy of our <a href="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-files/ballochproposals/Balloch Signage Information Booklet.pdf">Signage Information Booklet</a> .<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1024/v1519769981/projects/ballochproposals/Signage%20for%20CP.jpg" />You can also view and provide feedback on the proposals from Monday 5 March to Tuesday 20 March by: <li>Viewing the proposals outside the Tourist Information Centre, Balloch Train Station and at the Moss O’Balloch. Feedback forms will be available within the Tourist Information Centre, National Park Headquarters and Balloch Library for anyone wishing to comment.</li> <li>Attending a drop in event on Tuesday 20 March at the National Park Headquarters. Members of the public will be able to drop in anytime between 5pm and 8pm to view the proposals and provide feedback. There will also be an opportunity to register your interest in the Community Artwork piece, get an update on the overall public realm improvement project and wider ‘Live in Balloch’ Charrette actions. </li>For more information, please email <a href="mailto:street.design@sustrans.org.uk?subject=">street.design@sustrans.org.uk</a> or phone 0131 346 1384

View Signage Proposals for Balloch Village

Residents and stakeholders in Balloch are being asked to feedback on signage proposals from Monday 5th March 2018 as part of wider public realm improvements to the village. Building on the recent Balloch Village Plans (Street Design) project, Sustrans Scotland is working in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to propose three types of signage throughout the village: <li>Gateways to create a sense of place and provide landmark entrances to either side of the village;</li> <li>Information signage to provide direction within the village; and </li> <li>Re-routing the National Cycle Network along Balloch Road to Balloch Country Park. </li>A fourth proposal is a piece of Community Artwork in the station area which could be designed in collaboration with the local community and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. At this stage, interested parties are being asked to register their interest. Members of the public will be able to view and provide feedback on the signage proposals from Monday 5 March to Tuesday 20 March by: <li>Viewing the proposals outside the Tourist Information Centre, Balloch Train Station and at the Moss O’Balloch. Feedback forms will be available within the Tourist Information Centre, National Park Headquarters and Balloch Library for anyone wishing to comment;</li> <li>Viewing the proposals on the project website: <a href="https://ballochproposals.commonplace.is/news">https://ballochproposals.commonplace.is/news</a> </li> <li>Attending a drop in event on Tuesday 20 March at the National Park Headquarters. Members of the public will be able to drop in anytime between 5pm and 8pm to view the proposals and provide feedback. There will also be an opportunity to register your interest in the Community Artwork piece, get an update on the overall public realm improvement project and wider ‘Live in Balloch’ Charrette actions. </li>For more information, please email <a href="mailto:street.design@sustrans.org.uk?subject=">street.design@sustrans.org.uk</a> or phone 0131 346 1384

Signage proposals to go on display in Balloch from Monday 5th March

Feedback to us on our design proposals for Balloch Station Square and Village Square.