Councillors asked to consider regeneration plan for Camelon and Tamfourhill
Better connections, improved public spaces and opportunities for new homes and jobs are at the heart of a proposed regeneration plan for the Camelon and Tamfourhill areas.
Councillors will be asked to approve the Camelon and Tamfourhill Masterplan when the Council's Executive Committee meets on 5 November. The plan sets out a vision for the next 15 to 20 years, aiming to improve everyday life for residents while making the most of the area's canals, heritage and development opportunities.
An existing £500,000 allocation from the Council's Regeneration Fund would support initial improvements. Of this, £50,000 is already supporting initial remediation work at the Union Inn at Lock 16, with the remaining £450,000 available to help progress priority projects identified through the masterplan.
Consult with residents
Project under consideration include:
- Safer walking and wheeling routes, with improved crossings, dropped kerbs and paths.
- Improvements to Glasgow Road and Camelon Main Street, including planting, seating and other street furniture.
- Improved canal paths, greenspaces and landscaping.
- Improved bus stops, shelters, passenger information and accessibility, particularly in Tamfourhill.
- Clearer signs linking Camelon train station, Main Street, Lock 16, the Falkirk Wheel, the Antonine Wall and Rosebank Distillery.
- Small-scale community and youth-led projects to improve local spaces.
If the Masterplan is approved, the Council will consult with residents, community representatives and partners to refine these proposals, assess their feasibility and prioritise projects for delivery.
Improved access
The wider plan identifies opportunities to strengthen Main Street and Glasgow Road as a local high street, improve access to public transport and explore new walking and cycling crossings over the canal.
It also considers the future potential of three key locations: Portdownie, Glasgow Road North - including the Alexander Dennis site - and the Station Quarter. These could support longer-term regeneration through new development, better connections and improved access to services.
Other ambitions include a wider choice of housing, more energy-efficient homes, support for local businesses and skills development, and opportunities to bring public services together in accessible locations.
The proposals would build on investment through the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, including Scotland's Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills at Lock 16 and Scotland's Art Park.
Michael McGuiness, the Council's Head of Growth, Planning, Sport and Culture, said::
Camelon and Tamfourhill have proud histories, strong community identities and a great deal to offer.
“This proposed Masterplan looks at how we can build on those strengths while addressing things that matter to residents - from safer routes and better public spaces to access to services and opportunities for work.
"The regeneration funding already allocated gives us an opportunity to take forward practical improvements. If the plan is approved, further work with local people and our partners would help decide which projects should come first.
"This is also about looking further ahead. Having a shared plan would help us make the most of future investment opportunities, support local businesses and ensure regeneration responds to the needs of both communities.
The Camelon and Tamfourhill Masterplan has been informed following consultation with the community which included an online survey and drop-in events in Camelon and Tamfourhill, alongside engagement with public agencies, businesses and other partners.
Delivery of the larger proposals would require further feasibility and design work, business cases and significant additional investment from the Council and public and private sector partners.