By Graeme Strachan

THE MAIN redevelopment works to enhance the seafront in Carnoustie will not go ahead until after golf’s Open championship in July 2007.

Local councillor Peter Murphy said yesterday it was disappointing that Carnoustie would have to wait for a seafront equivalent to the standard enjoyed in other coastal towns.

A range of image enhancement works will be completed before the Open championship and have been given priority over progressing the proposals for the seafront.

The contract start for work on the seafront will be delayed until September 2007 at the earliest to “avoid any adverse impact on the event,” which is expected to attract around 150,000 visitors to the town.

“It’s disappointing we have to wait further down the line for it (the seafront) to be brought up to a standard equivalent to what is enjoyed by Monifieth, Arbroath and Montrose,” said Mr Murphy.

“We’re lagging behind.

“I know there will be a big development eventually but it seems to be rather a long time to wait to reach the sort of standards of seafront development for recreational purposes that other coastal towns enjoy.”

The redevelopment of the seafront area will include a variety of leisure and play facilities catering for a wide range of ages.

These would be accommodated within a remodelled landscape designed to give variety and shelter from the elements. It is anticipated that facilities will include an adventure playground, toddler play area, crazy golf and small skate park.

Carnoustie seafront was upgraded and the current range of facilities provided in the early 1990s.

The level of investment at the time, however, was modest, particularly when compared with the redevelopment schemes that have subsequently been carried out at the other seafronts, most recently Monifieth.

Although well maintained by the council, the area has a tired, run-down appearance and is greatly in need of redevelopment. The facilities available are now limited and many are nearing the end of their useful lives.

Councillors were asked to approve the installation of replacement play equipment at the seafront at an estimated cost of £25,000 when Angus Council’s infrastructure services committee met in Forfar last night.

“Obviously there’s a great sense of disappointment in Carnoustie that more hasn’t been done to upgrade the facilities down at the front for children, given that there was a problem with vandalism about a year ago,” added Mr Murphy.

“There’s not been much replacement of the stuff that was spoiled and £25,000 is not a lot of money to spend in regard to restoring some of the swings that were lost.

“We’d have been happier had there been more of an effort by the council to provide a bit more for the youngsters and to have to wait until after the Open for the seafront development to go ahead seems rather a long way off.”

The council intends to introduce new gateway features including new entrance banners, new decorative banners and selective small-scale environmental improvements, with priority given to locations en route to or near the Championship golf course.

The cost for the overall works in Carnoustie is currently £1,493,550.

The contribution towards the image enhancement works is £270,000.