PLANS to create a Dumbarton waterfront walkway to link the historic castle to the town centre have taken a giant step forward.

For the proposal was one of four major regeneration projects in West Dunbartonshire to get the green light of a £7m investment.

The funding comes from West Dunbartonshire Council's Regeneration Capital Fund.

And the plans will also see a revamp in Bowling Basin, two public squares in Balloch being established and the Glasgow Road area of Clydebank being "revitalised."

The projects will get a share of the cash handout after councillors voted to approve the investment at the Council’s Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee last Wednesday.

And they'll also benefit from external funding sources too.

The four projects were identified during local charrette processes, in which local residents had their say on local priorities via drop-in information sessions and workshops with schools and community groups.

At Dumbarton waterfront £1.5million will be set aside to develop a walkway and cycle path from the town centre to the castle, with an additional £1million expected to be sourced from housing developers and other commercial partners.

And a £1.2million sum will also be allocated to the creation of two public squares next to the train station in Balloch; a charrette suggestion intended to improve the use of public space and enhance the impression of the village to visiting tourists.

An extra £400,000 is expected to come from other sources.

The plans for the A814 at Glasgow Road will see crossings installed at Clydebank Town Hall and Queens Quay to improve pedestrian links.

This project will receive £2.3million from the Regeneration Capital Fund and has already secured £2million in Sustrans funding.

Proposals for Bowling Basin have been developed by Scottish Canals and will see the Council invest £2million of Regeneration Capital Fund cash.

This will be recouped as the project becomes profitable through the sale of houses and commercial opportunities.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, the Council’s Convener for Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "As a Council we are committed to providing innovative opportunities for economic development and improving employability, and all four of these projects tie in with ambitious objectives for growth.

"The fact that they have been earmarked by residents as priorities shows the level of support for them locally, and the approval of Regeneration Capital Funding for these projects is a big step first towards their delivery."

Councillor David McBride, Depute Convener, added: “We were delighted with the public’s response to our local charrettes, so it is fantastic to now be progressing projects that the community identified as important to the local area.

"The involvement of our residents, local businesses and Council partners will be invaluable going forward, and I hope as many people as possible with engage with the Council on these ambitious projects."

West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said: "The SNP and Labour have come together to approve this welcome investment in the local environment and infrastructure, and it’s particularly pleasing that so much external funding has been attracted that will see other public bodies, not for profit organisations, house builders and other commercial interests financing regeneration in the local community.

"Of critical importance is the fact that all of the projects earmarked for funding, are ventures that have been identified by the local communities themselves.

"To have that direct local buy in speaks to me in a very positive way.

"Residents embraced the charrette consultations and now is the start of the process to implement their vision for their own local communities."

And Dumbarton and the Vale MPS Jackie Baillie said: "Jackie said: "The charrette workshops generated a lot of enthusiasm among the local community so I am delighted that the Labour administration has now committed the funding to start turning the positive ideas put forward by local people into a reality.

"The Dumbarton Castle walkway will link up the town with one of our key tourism assets and the public squares in Balloch will help change the face of the town centre and create a new civic space for both visitors and residents.

"The ambitious Bowling Basin project also complements the City Deal plans to redevelop the former Exxon site and create a relief road for the A82.

"These projects are only the start of a multi-million pound regeneration drive to transform our town centres, boost tourism and create new jobs in communities across West Dunbartonshire."

But Ward 2 Leven Councillor Jim Bollan said the money should go towards other pressing issues.

He said: "These types of investments where public money subsidises the private sector are in my opinion, not a high priority.

"We need investment in current and new public services which creates jobs for local people."