en.Wedoany.com Reported - A £15.65 million regeneration project at Annan Harbour in the UK has officially commenced. Led by the Annan Harbour Action Group, with Cubby Construction as the main contractor, the project aims to transform the historic port area into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors.

The project will include the construction of a heritage visitor centre, a community hub, a café, a water sports lagoon, and improvements to public spaces, while also repurposing the former Collett's Building and Minister's Merse. Works involve building a new footbridge to improve slow-traffic connections, environmental enhancements at Minister's Merse to boost biodiversity, and creating a leisure lagoon to offer new opportunities for recreation and water activities. Initial construction will focus on the leisure lagoon and the bridge access to Minister's Merse. This area will undergo ecological restoration with the reintroduction of native species, and will feature viewing platforms and bird hides, allowing visitors to experience a stretch of the river that has been inaccessible for over 60 years.

Mike Rodger, Chair of the Annan Harbour Action Group, stated that after years of decline and neglect, a small charity, driven by sheer determination and combined with the support of enlightened funders, is turning dreams and visions into reality. He believes Annan is a fantastic town whose residents deserve such a revitalised harbour, and that the Solway coast will welcome an exciting new destination for everyone to enjoy.

Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, noted that this is one of the most significant days for Annan Harbour and its thousand-year history. Despite the considerable challenges the harbour has faced in recent years, the ambitious vision driven by the Annan Harbour Action Group is commendable and worthy of support. He stated that these regeneration plans will inject new vitality into the area, creating a vibrant destination that benefits residents, attracts visitors, and strengthens the town's future. Empowering communities to be ambitious, entrepreneurial, and sustainable is at the core of South of Scotland Enterprise's mission. The agency is working with local and national partners to support this investment, helping to turn Annan Harbour into a thriving asset for the town, the region, and future generations.