A DIRTY water problem which has affected residents in several parts of Greenock for more than a decade is finally being cleared up thanks to a £1 million project.

Scottish Water will begin a major upgrade to its mains network in and around Pennyfern, Old Inverkip Road and Barrs Cottage from next Wednesday.

It's aimed at bringing an end to a long-running dirty supply issue.

Some customers, including Carrie Fay from Old Inverkip Road, have had yellow or brown water through their taps on and off for the last 13 years.

Scottish Water's partners, Caledonia Water Alliance, will make improvements to almost 18 kilometres of pipework in the area over the next seven months.

The work will be carried out in stages, starting next Wednesday in Pennyfern Road before moving onto Old Inverkip Road, Gateside Avenue, Auchneagh Road, Munro Street, Neil Street, Sutherland Road, Larkfield Road, Drumfrochar Road and Lemmon Street, Delfie Drive and finishing in Inverkip Road.

Ruaridh MacGregor, Scottish Water's corporate affairs manager, said: "This investment is important so that our customers in the area can continue to enjoy fresh, clean drinking water.

"We'd like to thank road users and the local community for their patience and understanding whilst this important work is under way."

The upgrades will cost almost £1m and there will be road restrictions in the affected area throughout the project, including three-way traffic lights on Pennyfern Road as well as road closures on Old Inverkip Road and Lemmon Street.

Drivers are advised to follow local diversions.

Last September, Carrie spoke to the Tele about the lengthy battle to resolve the dirty water problem, which has affected her for over a decade.

Scottish Water started carrying out exploratory work in October and now hope to put an end to the issue once and for all.