Fortnight to finish Gourock works

Following complaints from almost 40 traders on Kempock Street about the length of time it has taken to finish the project, which should have been completed last month, Inverclyde Council officials say contractors RJ McLeod are working ‘flat out’ and that work should be completed by the start of next month.

Local authority chiefs say the majority of work on the ‘once in a lifetime’ development — which is being managed by regeneration firm Riverside Inverclyde on behalf of the council — is finished and that car parking spaces have now been freed up for use by residents and shoppers.

A council spokesman: “The work in Gourock has been subject to a delay due to the weather but the bulk of it should be completed by the beginning of December.

“Thirty-three new car parking spaces were handed back last week and the new road — Lower Kempock Street — should also be completed on the same timescale, again, weather allowing.

“Contractors have been working flat-out to complete this multi-million pound, once-in-a-lifetime investment for Gourock, mindful of the short-term disruption for local traders, businesses and residents.

“Our priority — and that of Riverside Inverclyde — is to complete the project.”

Traders have slammed delays to the development and say this has affected trade, with sections of Kempock Street and the Lower Kempock Street car park closed at various times during construction.

They also claim the disruption has played a key factor in the closure of two shops in the last fortnight, along the busy shopping hub and are demanding compensation from the council and regeneration chiefs, as revealed in Friday’s Tele.

Thirty-seven traders have signed a letter, written by businesswoman Suzanne Mark from lingerie outlet Straps of Gourock, expressing their displeasure and calling for some form of reimbursement.

But a council spokesman said: “Anyone wishing to seek compensation should take their own legal advice.”