REPAIR of a flood-damaged road by Inverclyde Council is to start after emergency powers for the £250,000 plus project were granted.

The 50-metre stretch of Dunrod Road, Inverkip was nearly washed away during heavy rain and flooding in November 2011. Dunrod Road leads to Loch Thom.

Environment and Regeneration Convener Councillor Michael McCormick said: "There was never any doubt that we would repair and renew the road however this is a project that has proved to be a challenge for the engineers and for the council financially.

“Half the width of the road has slipped down the hillside so we have had to call in specialists to advise how we can reinforce the ground before putting the road on top. It is also an area of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) which restricts the methods we can use. This will be the biggest single repair investment this financial year on our roads network but we recognise how vital the route is. We also appreciate the inconvenience the lengthy diversion that has been in place has been to local residents and businesses.”

Work to reinforce the soil in the hillside will see metal bars drilled into the bedrock and a wire mesh secured over the surface to keep it in place. A concrete beam will be built along what will be the edge of the road supported by imported rock, and then a new road built on top.

Councillor McCormick added: "This was never going to be a simple repair job as we need to support the road sufficiently to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The repair has to last and I am confident we have taken every possible measure to ensure Dunrod Road remains open.”

The work is expected to start in June.

Bigger Photos Of The Damage