COUNCILLORS voted against looking into removal of the West Blackhall Street cycle lane after hearing it would cost the council around £6million. Instead they agreed various efforts to improve parking provision.
Inverclyde’s environment and regeneration committee was told the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), backed by Transport Scotland, would try to claw back a grant of around £4million which the council received towards the makeover of West Blackhall Street. That would be on top of an estimated £1.6million needed for design and construction work.
The committee backed a number of measures including changes to loading bay and on-street parking restrictions to create additional parking spaces and increase turnover of spaces throughout the day.
They also agreed to increase the free stay times in town centre car parks, create four additional spaces, and install bollards on the cycle lane to prevent illegal and inconsiderate parking.
The council say the changes will increase daily parking availability by 45 per cent in the town centre.
Further reports will be prepared by officials to look at residents’ parking arrangements; changing the direction of one-way side streets; and the feasibility of creating a car park at the former Babylon nightclub site.
A motion which included getting a detailed report on removing the cycle lane was not successful.
