Two projects which have been on the drawing-board for some time are poised to become a reality within the next few weeks.

Both celebrate the long industrial and commercial heritage that Bo'ness has been associated; seafaring and mining.

Mining Memorial
Revealed last week was the news that the Community Council's planned mining memorial is nearing completion with the final stages of preparation and construction scheduled to begin within weeks.

The good news is that a pit-head winding wheel has been sourced following an extensive nationwide search. The wheel, to be sited on the grass verge on Union Street close to the existing car parking, will form the centrepiece of the joint Community Council/Bonnie Bo'ness project.

Falkirk Council's development services department has also supported the Community Council and Bonnie Bo'ness over the mining memorial. The project became bogged down after only raising half the expected capital costs. Falkirk council has carried out design work and other "behind the scenes" activities to ensure that the memorial goes ahead. Work is expected to start following the end of the financial year on March 31.

Seafield Place Roundabout

Artists Impression

More immediate news is that contractors are already moving in on the Seaview Place roundabout, at the foot of Church Wynd, with it due for a massive facelift. MW Contracts are expected within days to begin work landscaping the existing mono-block roundabout.

The centre feature will be a massive dockside windlass. Falkirk Council's development services department has worked up a design incorporating the windlass and shrubs. The maritime theme is intended to evoke an image of the town's historic seafaring links.

The roundabout project was a project suggested by Bonnie Bo'ness to brightern up the entrance to the town from Church Wynd and has been driven by Falkirk Council's town centres strategy group with the support of the Bo'ness regeneration working party.

Councillor John Constable, convener of the Bo'ness regeneration working party, commended community councillors for seeing through the mining memorial project, and praised Bonnie Bo'ness volunteers for their commitment to the roundabout upgrade.

Community Council convener, Len Ainslie/ said this week: "I'm delighted at the progress which has been made with both the mining memorial and the Seaview Place roundabout. Everyone involved has done a wonderful job pulling these projects together."

A spokeswoman for the town centres strategy group said: "What we have here are two long-standing projects which are being brought to a sucessful conclusion." But she warned of some traffic disruption, saying: "The contractors are due on site within a few days and motorists are advised that there will be lane restrictions in place for two or three weeks."