AMBITIOUS plans to improve a major Greenock road have been boosted with a six-figure contribution towards the multi-million pound bill.

It is estimated it will cost around £3m to realign Baker Street, pictured, to remove the steep, sharp corner at the top.

There is no start date yet for the work, but now Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) have promised £300,000 towards it.

Inverclyde Council’s SPT representative, Councillor David Wilson, pictured inset, said he fully supported the decision to contribute to the scheme, which is part of the overall regeneration of Broomhill.

He said: “I am very pleased SPT are backing this very important project, scheduled for 2018-19.

“This is one of the busiest routes in Inverclyde, so it’s good news that this £300,000 is available for whenever the contract starts.”

Other financial support for the project, which will help create a new business park, is being sought from the Scottish Government.

The proposed realignment of Baker Street between Ingleston Street and Drumfrochar Road, will improve sightlines and make it easier for pedestrians to walk up the hill.

Environmental improvement landscaping will also be involved, as well as improvements to the traffic light junction at Baker Street and Ingleston Street, including recalculating signal timings.

It is also envisaged that industrial buildings at the east end of Drumfrochar Road will be demolished.

Regeneration body Riverside Inverclyde has been appointed as Inverclyde Council’s agent to take forward the works contract and deliver the improvement scheme.

Inverclyde Council commissioned a masterplan for the Drumfrochar Road ‘corridor’ a few years ago.

The document highlighted the need to improve the corner at the top of Baker Street.

The road reroute blueprint comes as housing association River Clyde Homes are investing around £26m in refurbishing more than 650 existing properties for Broomhill residents.

This includes a £9m energy efficiency programme in partnership with Scottish Gas to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.