TRAFFIC diversion routes for the Central Greenock redevelopment have been announced.
The £24 million project led by Inverclyde Council and funded by the UK Government will include the demolition of the eastern section of the Oak Mall shopping centre, Bullring Roundabout, and A78 flyover at High Street.
There will also be a new Oak Mall entrance, signalised junctions, pedestrian crossings linking the town centre to the waterfront, and public spaces.
With the main roadworks due to start in the spring, diversion routes have been identified to provide an alternative option for vehicles to either bypass the town centre and continue their journey on the A78 south or for those carrying on through the town centre to Gourock or Port Glasgow and beyond.
The local diversion route will direct road users along Container Way through to Inverkip Road and on Ratho Street on to Inverkip Road.
Council roads data shows that the alternative routes are already used by many commuters to continue their journey in and around Greenock.
To help the road network cope with the increased traffic, a variety of road improvements, new crossing points and additional traffic management along the routes have been put in place.
This includes the installation of mini-roundabouts at the Container Way and Dalrymple Street sides of Laird Street to improve access and support better traffic flow when the Container Way diversion route is in use.
Ratho Street has also been realigned to improve flow of traffic to and from the A8 and traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing installed on Dunlop Street at Notre Dame High to enhance road safety for pupils, staff and residents.
Contractors officially started on site today with the whole project due for completion by autumn 2027. Work will be carried out in phases and access to Greenock Town Centre will be maintained at all times.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “The Central Greenock project is now really starting to gather pace, and we will be seeing a lot more movement in and around the key project sites in the coming days, weeks and months.
“With a project of this size and scale, there is going to be disruption during the various phases, but council officers are working closely with the main contractors and partner organisations to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure there are regular updates for residents, businesses, and the wider public.
“The aim of the project is to build on the good work that’s been done to date and continue the modernisation of Greenock Town Centre to make it a more open, accessible and welcoming place for everyone.”
In preparation for the start of the main physical works, there will be parking restrictions on King Street and Smith Street to the rear of the Oak Mall and Hector McNeil House, and the adjacent car park will be closed to allow contractors to set up a compound.
The Wallace Place entrance to the mall also close from today with shoppers being advised to use alternative entrances.
Laura Cushnaghan, Oak Mall centre manager, said: “With the exciting Central Greenock redevelopment plans now moving on apace, visitors to the mall will start to see some required changes being made but it will be very much business as usual for our retailers and shoppers.
“We’ve spent time speaking with all of our retailers and letting them know about these changes which brings the necessary closure of our entrance at Lower Clyde Place.
“The entrances at Westburn, Hamilton Gate, and Crown Street will remain open as usual for shoppers and visitors and new signage will be going up throughout the centre to let visitors know about the changes, and to provide directions to the alternative entrances and routes around the mall.”
Inverclyde Council is engaging directly with partner organisations, businesses, residents and other key stakeholders about the Central Greenock project.
There will also be a public information session in the Greenock Town Hall saloon on Wednesday 11 February from 5 to 8pm.
Residents and businesses can find out more information about the project, including diversion routes, timelines and a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/centralgreenockproject.
