Grangemouth's happy to chat area just got happier

The attractive solar lighting, which runs around the ring of stonework at landmark located near Newhouse Road, is now operational and follows a community project to regenerate the area.

Research has shown the blue lighting has helped to reduce anti-social behaviour in other areas and it is hoped the Grangemouth lights will be a positive addition to the town and its residents over the coming weeks.

Members of Grangemouth and Skinflats Community Council have been involved in the operation to clean up and repair the Happy to Chat feature and have added four benches, a community notice board and cleared out and replaced the planter in the centre of the structure.

Community councillor Adam Gillies said: “We added a theme of ‘happy to chat’ where we hope this new area will encourage the community to come out and have a blether."

The project, which received cash from Falkirk Council’s Make a Difference fund, has already enjoyed support from local businesses, including John Mitchell Haulage and Steel-n-Time, and local groups like The Young Portonians and Grangemouth Horticultural Society.

Adam said: “We hope to be able to repaint the nearby Kingseat Avenue bridge in Spring, which we hope will offer a beginning of the regeneration of that area and will be iconic at our next Children's Day.”