ACTIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION
The vision for the Bowling Harbour regeneration masterplan was created using the Charrette process of community engagement – a design led process that enables wide participation and shared development.
A key feature of the regeneration masterplan was the new vision for the category B Listed Bowling viaduct structure – transforming the historic railway line into a new linear park and active travel connection, and the conversion of former railway arches into new business space. To begin to bring the masterplan vision to life, a programme of enabling improvement measures were selected to start to make tangible changes on the ground and set the conditions for future regeneration phases.
Comprehensive works programmes involved the clearance of years of decay, dereliction and accumulated debris and vegetation matter revealing the arch structures underneath. Waterproofing systems, as well as new business frontages were inserted, as well as the sensitive repair of the original brickwork where its integrity was more substantial. This involved careful attention to the original built fabric, retaining brick features and façade features – carefully inserting new material to restore these back to their original form. The mass concrete viaduct structure has presented some challenges in terms of water retention and leaking. A contemporary waterproofing solution has been installed which involved a dimpled membrane system fitted between the existing concrete fascia and the new wall fascia which allows the water to travel down through the dimples to be collected at a bottom floor drain and carried out to the external drainage network.
In 2017, following the refurbishment of the viaduct arches and the creation of commercial units funding was received to commence work on the transformation of the derelict railway line into a new active travel connection and linear park. Inspired by New York’s Highline, the Bowline, opened to the public in Autumn 2021 and provides uninterrupted off-road access towards Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, along the National Cycle Network route.