Inverclyde Council will strive to keep disruption to “an absolute minimum” as the main roadworks phase of a major redevelopment initiative kicks off at the end of the month.
The £24 million Central Greenock Project is being delivered by the local authority alongside contractor Balfour Beatty and has been largely funded by the UK Government.
Preparatory roadworks are scheduled to start on Monday, July 27, with lane closures around the Bullring Roundabout.
This will be followed by roadworks from Monday, August 3, which will see the closure of the A78 High Street flyover and a section of the A8 between Wallace Place and the eastern side of Dalrymple Street opposite Tesco.
Access along the A8 and into Greenock town centre will be maintained in both directions by contraflow traffic management between Container Way and the western side of the A8 Dalrymple Street across from the Municipal Buildings.
The closures will allow for the demolition of the High Street flyover and south side of the Bullring Roundabout to be replaced with low level signalised junctions.
Council leader Stephen McCabe said: “We know how frustrating roadworks can be and there will inevitably be disruption during this vital phase of the project but every effort is being made to keep the disruption to an absolute minimum and, crucially, ensure Greenock town centre remains open for business throughout.
“It’s important that people plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys.”
The temporary measures on the Bullring are expected to be in place until July 2027.
Following this, the traffic management will be altered to allow for the demolition of the north side of the Bullring to be completed.
All roadworks are due for completion by late 2027 and further details about the second phase will be made available nearer the time.
An alternative route will also be in operation between Ratho Street and Barr’s Cottage for the duration of the roadworks.
The redevelopment is designed to open up the town centre and improve access for pedestrians and vehicles while removing ageing infrastructure.
The first stage of the project saw the demolition of Hector McNeil House with work ongoing to knock down the eastern section of the Oak Mall before attention turns to removing the A78 flyover which runs over the top of the shopping centre.
From Monday, July 27, the Bullring Roundabout and Hunter’s Place car parks will also close to cars and pedestrians. Wallace Place, including the slip road off the A8, will be shut to vehicles from Monday, August 3.
Pedestrian access, including to and from Central Library, the Greenock Fire Museum and Municipal Buildings, will remain open but there will be no onward access to Hunter’s Place.
The main pedestrian diversion will be via the crossing at William Street, along Dalrymple Street and the Bullring, onto Container Way, Dalrymple Street and Hunter’s Place.
In preparation for the main roadworks phase of the Central Greenock Project, changes to the roads network have been made, including the realignment of Ratho Street, a new pedestrian crossing on Dunlop Street at Notre Dame High School and mini-roundabouts on Dalrymple Street and Container Way either side of Laird Street.
An additional temporary mini-roundabout will be installed at the top of Sir Michael Street at the junction with Regent Street and Roxburgh Street from Monday, July 13.
