Building Briefs – January 12th

A ceremony was held yesterday to mark the official opening of the new £30 million Barrhead High, in East Renfrewshire.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire Council’s convener for education and equalities, unveiled a commemorative plaque and the school’s choir and band performed for invited guests, including local politicians.

The state-of-the-art school, which was part of the Scottish Futures Trust programme, was delivered by East Renfrewshire Council in partnership with hub West Scotland, the council’s development partner.

It replaces the previous building, which had been in use for 46 years, and has been built on a site next to the old school.

Restoration work at Prestonpans war memorial complete

Work to restore a war memorial in Prestonpans, East Lothian is now complete.

The scheme was carried out after Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government provided a grant of £12,920 towards the works.

The Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership also allocated funding which allowed the work to be carried out to repair and clean the stonework and erect a new set of railings.

The area around the railings has also been paved, while the soldier’s nose has been repaired and the memorial (along with the Spanish Civil War Plaque) has been cleaned. Work was also carried out to sharpen the fallen soldiers names and carry out a correction to Sergeant James Herkes’ name.

Property Litigation Association appoints junior members

The Scottish regional branch of the Property Litigation Association has announced the appointment of its first junior members to the regional sub-committee: Magnus Miller of Davidson Chalmers LLP and Chloe Postlethwaite of Brodies LLP.

It said in a statement: “The Junior Property Litigation Association was created to help junior members develop their own network of property professionals.

“Chloe and Magnus are superb candidates who, with the enthusiasm they have already shown, will do a great job of establishing the JPLA in Scotland.”

Plans lodged for outdoor viewing platform in Flow Country

Plans have been submitted for a new outdoor viewing platform in the heart of the Flow Country in northwest Sutherland.

Applicants RSPB Scotland want to develop a small roadside car park and viewpoint with seats on the eastern side of Cnoc Craggie, overlooking Loch Craggie.

It would be one of six roadside locations in Caithness and Sutherland where the public can experience the peatlands.

The proposal is part of the Flows to the Future project – commissioned by the RSPB – which aims to create a greater appreciation for one of the UK’s most important natural assets, including an awareness of carbon capture, conservation and habitat.

Work to start on water mains infrastructure upgrade in Glasgow

Work is to begin on a water mains infrastructure upgrade project in the Shettleston Road area of Glasgow.

The two-week improvement scheme will get underway on Monday, 15 January. Traffic management will be in place along with the closure of one lane eastbound on Shettleston Road between Westmuir Street and Old Shettleston Road.

Roadworks to begin on Fishermyre to Clayfolds road in Aberdeenshire

Roadworks are to be carried out on a section of the U88K Fishermyre to Clayfolds Road at Fishermyre in Aberdeenshire.

The scheme, which is part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project, involves completing the connections between the new and existing roads, as well as complete verges and drainage works.

The nine-week project will get underway on Monday, 15 January. Local diversions will be in place. Once finished, motorists will be able to travel under the AWPR.