5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Timeline for £24 million Greenock transformation revealed in new plans
The work will see a number of places demolished, including the Hector McNeil House, the Bullring Roundabout and the eastern side of the Oak Mall Shopping Centre. The A8 flyover in place of traffic light junctions will be removed, while the creation of new public spaces and a fresh entrance for the Oak Mall will also take place.
Extensive planning has taken place on the project with some initial works and site investigations carried out.
The main bulk of the work is to begin later in the year with contractors starting with the Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House works.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2027 with more details on that to be announced in the future.
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Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: 'This is a complex project involving various public and private sector partners and a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get to this stage where the main works are due to start soon.
'This is the biggest project of its kind in a generation with the aim of transforming central Greenock and the town centre for the better and is really exciting.
'It will build on the good work that's been done to date, including the new Ocean Terminal building and the West Blackhall Street redevelopment, by making Greenock a more accessible and attractive place to live, work, visit and do business.
'There will, of course, be disruption and we're not shying away from that.
'We're also well aware of disruption experienced by residents in recent times due to a variety of emergency and planned works, particularly on the roads network and we share those frustrations.
'Council officers are working closely with the main contractor and alongside our various partners to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.
'It's worth remembering though that the long-term goal here is to modernise and improve Greenock and to try and revitalise the town centre.
'I hope people will share in this positive outlook for the town and get behind Greenock.'
The total investment in the central Greenock project is expected to be around £23.58m, including associated land and road improvement costs.
Inverclyde Council successfully bid for £19.39m from the UK Government towards the project with the remaining £4.19m is being sourced from various external funding pots and the council's capital reserves.
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "I welcome confirmation that the transformation of Greenock Town Centre will begin later this year.
'This exciting project, funded by £19.39 million UK Government investment, will boost the economy, create skilled Scottish jobs and enhance the lives of communities.
"The UK Government is investing more than £1.4 billion in dozens of important local growth projects and programmes across Scotland over the next 10 years - including up to £20 million more for Greenock as part of our Plan for Neighbourhoods.
'Working with partners we will deliver a decade of national renewal through our Plan for Change."
The transformative programme from Inverclyde Council will create civic spaces, a restructured retail offer and improve links between various parts of the town centre and the waterfront.
The ageing A78 flyover and the Bullring Roundabout will be removed with the road brought down to ground level to improve access.
It will be replaced by a low-level trunk road which brings the town together and provide easier access for visitors and residents.
