MAJOR traffic disruption to the centre of Greenock is on the way from the end of this month as part of continuing flood prevention work.

The westbound section of Inverkip Road past the cemetery will be closed for six weeks from January 30, and diversions will be in place.

The same closure and diversions were also introduced for six weeks last summer for previous flood prevention improvements.

It means that traffic heading for Greenock from the Dunlop Street roundabout can continue to go down Inverkip Road to the South Street roundabout.

But all vehicles going in the other direction will have to take alternative routes.

Westbound low-sided vehicles will be sent up the A8 at Rue End Street to Dellingburn Street, Baker Street, Drumfrochar Road, Cornhaddock Street, and Dunlop Street.

And westbound high-sided vehicles will be diverted up Sir Michael Street, Regent Street, Lynedoch Street, Drumfrochar Road, Cornhaddock Street and Dunlop Street.

It is all part of flood prevention roadworks at Greenock’s West Station.
Last year a surface water collection system was constructed on Newton Street, Inverkip Street and Inverkip Road, as well as a new carrier pipeline discharging into the Hole Burn aqueduct underneath Newton Street and to the east of Inverkip Road.

The central Greenock flood prevention project has also included an automatic trash screen being installed at Crescent Street, the addition of a replacement culvert on Drumfrochar Road and ‘flow control’ on Aberfoyle Road and Mearns Street.

Many other projects have taken place elsewhere in Inverclyde to try to stop flooding, including improvements to the Bouverie Burn culvert in Port Glasgow at Bouverie Motors, and reducing water flow at Coves Burn in Gourock.