WORK on the first Climate Ready Park in East Dunbartonshire is scheduled to begin this month.

The £950,000 green infrastructure project, set to enhance Woodhill and Etive Parks in Bishopbriggs, features plans for food-growing areas, and measures to improve biodiversity and protect against the effects of climate change.

The firm P1 Solutions has been appointed to implement the improvements using funding from existing capital budgets held by Roads & Neighbourhood Services following a successful tender.

The planned improvements involve re-shaping areas of grass to form detention basins to temporarily hold surface water during severe storm events.

This includes water from the Bishopbriggs Burn.

Roadside swales on Menteith Avenue and Etive Crescent will be created to manage surface water run-off from sloped open space areas to minimise the impact of flooding in the vicinity.

The plan further includes the design of more flower meadows, a food-growing area with raised beds and decorative pergolas.

Materials from the excavated basins will stay on-site and be used to create a bike track.

Councillor Paul Ferretti, convener of the Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets committee, said: "These green infrastructure improvements will significantly enhance this green space in the heart of Bishopbriggs.

“The ambitious plans will promote sustainability through the creation of space for food growing.

"The improvements will also enhance biodiversity in the area and improve resilience to protect against the effects of climate change into the future.”

The first phase of the project involves constructing a sustainable urban drainage pond, projected to be completed before winter this year.

This will be followed by a 12-month maintenance programme and spring seeding.

Traffic calming measures have also been approved for Springfield Road and Menteith Avenue to enhance safety in the area.