Scottish Marine Technology Park: Work begins on new site

Work at the proposed Scottish Marine Technology Park (SMTP) has begun with the start of construction on a 'flood compensatory basin' - in what developers describe as an "important step forward" in the process.

Groundworks and civil engineering specialists Advance Construction Scotland have been appointed to carry out the works at the site, formerly home to the Carless oil refinery.

When complete, the site, next to the Erskine Bridge, will potentially bring hundreds of jobs to the local area and £125 million a year in income to the local economy, according to the engineering company behind the plans.

The Malin Group hope to provide a unique environment for world-leading innovators in the marine industry to co-locate and collaborate to reinvigorate the shipbuilding and renewable industries at the SMTP.

Kevin Waters, principal project manager of the SMTP noted: "We are delighted to have Advance Construction Scotland onboard.

"Following our recently completed remediation work, these works, combined with future enabling infrastructure works, will help attract the further development required to realise the marine technology park vision, bringing hundreds of new high-quality jobs and opportunities to the local community."

The proposed SMTP site consists of almost 50 acres of developable space which will have direct access to the deep-water channel via a heavy lift quay.

Envisaged to be one of the first occupiers on the site, Malin Group has already successfully secured planning consent for a facility to host their specialist fabrication, welding and priming and finishing business units at the west end of the site.

As this part of the site is located on a current flood plain, the newly constructed basin will work to replace the existing floodplain, and will lay the foundations for planning and construction of the new, larger facilities.

The work, as well as the future quay design and reconstruction works, have been jointly funded by West Dunbartonshire Council and Clyde Mission who have contributed £4 million to help fund the project (Image: Scottish Marine Technology Park)

The works also include the establishment of a perimeter track and landscaping, to create a nature walkway, allowing access to the riverside for local residents, whilst the rest of the Marine Technology Park is developed.

Whilst under construction, the area will be closed to the public, to enable the works to be completed safely.

The work, as well as the future quay design and reconstruction works, have been jointly funded by West Dunbartonshire Council and Clyde Mission, who have contributed £4 million to help fund the project.

Lance Gordon of the Advance Group said, “We are pleased to be part of the team supporting this pioneering project.

"It’s a terrific contract to be working on and all the more special knowing our contribution is helping forge such a groundbreaking environment for future innovation and growth.”