TWO of Greenock’s busiest roads are to be closed from tomorrow so that buildings can be demolished for a £3m regeneration scheme.

Baker Street will be shut from Scott Street to Drumfrochar Road and Drumfrochar Road will be closed from Baker Street to Lynedoch Street.

The closures start at 10pm tomorrow, and the roads are expected to re-open on Monday.

Derelict industrial buildings at the east end of Drumfrochar Road are to be cleared to allow the sharp Baker Street bend to be removed for a project being delivered by regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde.

It will also include lowering kerbs, landscaping and improving sightlines.

Inverclyde Council regeneration committee vice-convener, Councillor Jim Clocherty, says the demolitions were an integral part of the work.

He said: “We need to demolish the buildings that are closest to the roadside so that the main road realignment works can go ahead.

“Bakers Brae is a key route through Greenock, but the current poor traffic flows and surrounding vacant derelict buildings have made it difficult to attract investment and encourage economic growth.”

He added: “All being well, the demolition should be completed over the weekend, and both Baker Street and Drumfrochar Road will be fully re-opened on Monday.”

A £1.8m community enterprise hub for small and medium-sized enterprises, micro-businesses and business start-ups is proposed for Baker Street, with work expected to start towards the end of this year.

The scheme includes a £300,000 contribution from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.