A funding package of £20million for Clydebank from the UK Government has been given the green light. 

The Long Term Plan for Town's Initiative was launched last year and confirmed the area would secure the multi-million pound investment over the next 10 years.

There were concerns about the status of the funding after Scottish secretary Ian Murray announced last month that many of the promises by the previous government “didn't have any cash attached".

After the UK autumn budget, it has now been confirmed that the funding can proceed subject to business case approval.

Clydebank is one of seven towns in Scotland which will receive the financial support. 

West Dunbartonshire Council is set to work with the Town Board to develop plans for the use of the funding. 

The spending process will be guided by a Long Term Plan, pending approval from the UK Government.

It is set to expand upon the Clydebank Town Centre Development Framework, approved in 2021, which envisions a vibrant and attractive town centre over the next 15 years.

Two drop-in events held in Clyde Shopping Centre in July sought input from community organisations for their views on how the money should be spent.

Douglas McAllister MP serves on the Clydebank Town Board which is overseeing how the funding will be spent, along with Liz Connolly, principal of West College Scotland and councillors Lawrence O'Neill and Clare Steel.

McAllister expressed his delight that the area has retained the money after the budget announcement.

READ MORE: Clydebank residents react to £20m UK funding plans

He said: "Labour delivered a historic budget for Scotland, which will deliver huge benefits for people across West Dunbartonshire Communities.

"This budget keeps our promises to Scotland, ends the era of austerity, provides billions for investment in public services, and prioritises economic growth.

"I am delighted the chancellor confirmed funding for the development and regeneration of Clydebank.

"The Tories promised this money to our communities but had no intention of paying for it.

“This Labour government has delivered the investment that West Dunbartonshire deserves, alongside billions of pounds of more investment into Scotland, with the largest settlement in history for the Scottish Government to spend on schools and hospitals.

“The UK Labour government has inherited a £22 billion in-year black hole in the accounts from the previous Tory government, who had spent the Treasury reserves three times over by July this year.

“Labour has taken a different path – investment over decline. We will increase the minimum wage, the state pension and the value of Universal Credit.

"The budget protects working people in West Dunbartonshire, ensures more money than ever for Scottish public services and delivers an end to the era of austerity."