MORE than £650,000 will be used across five projects to stimulate and support the town centre of Alloa.

An Active Travel Hub, better access crossing King Street and an improved links to Drysdale Street are a part of the plans.

Money from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Fund, to the tune of £683,000, will help with the remodelling of Shillinghill and a sprucing up of Bank Street.

Details were heard at Kilncraigs during last Thursday's full council meeting where elected members were given a visual presentation.

Council officers identified the projects during consultations with Alloa First and Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSi) and say they will be a catalyst in the transformation and regeneration of the area.

Proposals to build new car parking spaces near to Alloa Train Station were also considered, but would have used up almost all the funds available.

As reported earlier by the Advertiser, the Active Travel Hub would support active living encouraging walking and cycling in the county.

CTSi and Alloa First have identified the former public toilets at Shillinghill (pictured) as the preferred site. Doing so would revive those facilities, while also potentially providing information for visitors.

The issue on King Street is that many people cross in front of the Speirs Centre rather than at the established crossing.

It is understood a new crossing would be created at a more desirable place, retaining the existing one, and the road surface would be narrowed.

Also, trees would be planted in the middle or planters installed.

A separate project would look to enhance the pedestrian link from King Street to Drysdale Street.

For now, the bus stops will stay at Shillinghill; however, the space will be improved with the addition of better pedestrian links to Forth Valley College.

Council officers presenting on the day explained that there are a "lot of things this project won't be able to solve" – particularly antisocial behaviour.

The public space on Bank Street was deemed to be poorly functioning and so a project would like to remodel the space and open the area up a little with improved connections.

Indeed, some councillors on the day remarked this area had much potential with historic buildings, but it looked "tired" these days.

Councillor Mike Watson expressed a wish for contractors to work on the projects to be local businesses where possible.

Cllr Kenny Earle advocated for the bus stances to be moved from Shillinghill in the long-term, but agreed the proposals will be beneficial for the town centre.