Falkirk Council has announced a £348,000 programme of upgrade works for Bo'ness Library to improve accessibility for the local community.

The community-led project will see the introduction of a platform lift providing access to the upper floors and meeting rooms.

From Monday 13 March, contractors MPMH will be on-site to start the 16-week project. The library will close for 4 weeks from Monday 13 March to accomodate the work, and is set to reopen on Tuesday 11 April.

Members can access any library in the Falkirk area during that time, with the nearest being Grangemouth Library or Meadowbank Library.

The main works on the ground floor will be limited to the plant room, which is to be redesigned to accommodate the new lift.


In addition, a new boiler will be installed, the existing toilet will be refurbished and the addition of a small smoke lobby off the resource area will be introduced to meet building control fire regulations.

On the upper level, the toilet, staff kitchen and mess room will be reconfigured.

A short, inclined wheelchair lift will also be introduced to provide full and inclusive access to public area.

Finishes in affected areas will be reinstated to match the existing library paint work.

The accessibility project at Bo'ness Library is the latest improvement coming to Bo'ness thanks to the Scottish Government's Town Centre Capital Fund, which has also supported:

• The introduction of an e-bike station at Union Street (£30,000)

• Installation of Public Wi-Fi (£26,000)

• Small Building Repair and Shopfront Scheme (£280,000)

Council Leader Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn said: "In line with other construction works across the country, the library project has been delayed in starting and we have also had to deal with increased project costs to the Category B building, so we are delighted that the project is now set to start.

"We have met regularly with community representatives throughout the project and will continue to do so until the work is completed."