A major programme to refresh North Lanarkshire's town centres is making excellent progress as improvements take shape in communities across the area.
The projects, announced as part of the council’s 2025/26 budget, is funding deep cleaning, repainting, new planting and upgrades to public spaces in Motherwell, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Wishaw, Bellshill, Cumbernauld Village, Kilsyth and Shotts.
In town centres, 50 new square and 30 tiered planters have been installed and the council has worked with community groups to replant with new displays. Next spring, 200,000 bulbs will be blooming in neighbourhoods across the area.
Roads, pedestrian areas and street furniture are being cleaned, fencing and railings repainted, weeds removed, improvements made to car parks and redundant street bins removed.
Throughout North Lanarkshire, 64 roundabouts are being refreshed and improvements made in parks and open spaces including path upgrades, landscape enhancements and clean-up work to enhance their appearance, accessibility and overall quality.
“Our town centres, greenspaces and neighbourhoods are important to all residents, and the council’s investment is designed to improve these areas for everyone as they go about their daily lives,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
“We’re making sure the area is welcoming, accessible and safe for residents, businesses and visitors.”
Council Leader Jim Logue said: "This investment is already making a big difference, and we’ve had many highly positive comments from our residents. It's encouraging to see the work under way in so many communities, and there is more still to come."
In Airdrie, a building in the pedestrian precinct will be repainted and given a mural. The Boulevard of Lights project on Alexander Street will include replacement trees and a temporary decorative lighting structure. The Cenotaph fencing and War Memorial handrails are also being repainted.
In Coatbridge, shop canopies are being refurbished and feature railings repainted at the Main Street, Sunnyside Road and Bank Street junction. The project is also funding an upgrade of the South Circular Road Footbridge and improvements to the area around it.
Bellshill will see new lighting around the Billy McNeill statue, along with support for the wedge pathway lighting and community garden project.
Meanwhile in Motherwell, trees at the railway station will be replaced, and planting improvements at the Civic Centre and a refresh of planters and planting displays are due to be completed by 28 November.
Wishaw is getting new planting at the health centre. Kilsyth's Burngreen Park will have its furniture and fencing refurbished, and Cumbernauld Village will see benches at Springfield Park and the bowling green repainted.
And in Shotts, the open space at Hunter Street will get new golden gravel, re-edged and resurfaced paths and repairs to retaining walls.
Car parks in Coatbridge, Airdrie and Wishaw are being given the once over, including silt removal and moss and weed treatment.