Stranraer waterfront contamination work could cost £2m

Work to tackle chemical contamination on land which forms part of the Stranraer waterfront regeneration programme could cost more than £2m.

Dumfries and Galloway Council is working with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to explore the options for the former gasworks site.

The authority's head of infrastructure Stephen Herriott said it had proved a difficult issue to resolve.

However, he was hopeful a firm plan could be in place later this year.

Ambitious plans were drawn up for the redevelopment of the south west Scotland waterfront after the last ferry left the town last year.

The Scottish government has also set up a regeneration task force for the area.

Mr Herriott said studies into the options for the land were continuing in an effort to ensure that any plans were financially "robust".

"We need to consider how we want to take that forward in relation to what we want to use the land for within the whole concept for the waterfront redevelopment," he said.