PART of a busy Greenock road closed today as a major �2.9m water pipes upgrade gathers pace.

A large stretch of Drumfrochar Road has been shut by Scottish Water to allow the company to continue with its project to deliver improved drinking water for more than 65,000 people.

The busy main road will be closed from its junction with Mill Street to near its junction with Baker Street until the end of the month.

It will also be shut from the junction of Murdieston Street and Cornhaddock Street to the junction of Cornhaddock Street and Broomhill Street from 30 March to 9 April.

Sections of neighbouring Ann Street, Mearns Street and Lynedoch Street, leading up to their junctions with Drumfochar Road, will also be shut.

Scottish Water has apologised in advance for any disruption caused by the closure but insists the investment and nature of the work involved means road closures are unavoidable.