DRIVERS will face major disruption as a busy road through Greenock is closed for ‘at least’ a week to allow a major £3m regeneration project to get underway.

The sharp corner between Baker Street and Drumfrochar Road — known as Baker’s Brae — is to be removed by cutting through the site of former industrial buildings.

It means that the road will have to be shut for a period of time and motorists are being warned they will have to take another route through the town.

Municipal Buildings bosses say that the short term disruption will be worth it to overhaul the road layout and pave the way for a new development to breathe life into the area.

Councillor Michael McCormick, local authority environment and regeneration convener, said: “This is a key route through Greenock but the combination of poor traffic flow and derelict buildings has been stifling opportunities for investment and economic growth.

“This project will greatly enhance the area and unlock its potential for future development and growth, which can only be good for the local community.”

The investment scheme also includes landscaping, lower kerbs and improving sightlines.

It is being delivered by regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde. 

Fiona Maguire, chief executive of RI, said: “The road closure is essential to allow Scottish Water on site to lay new connections so that we can begin work in earnest.

“There will be a degree of inconvenience to people who use the road regularly but I am sure once completed they will appreciate the improvements we are making.”

Baker Street will be completely closed between Regent Street and Ingliston Street for one week from Monday.

Further traffic management restrictions will be imposed over the coming months as work continues on the project, which is due to be completed by spring 2019.

The £3m scheme includes a £300,000 contribution from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and a £1.8m community enterprise hub for small and medium-sized enterprises, micro businesses and business start-ups is proposed for Baker Street.