Published: Monday, 29th June, 2009 2:00pm

Bulldozers move in at Notre Dame

BULLDOZERS: Notre Dame.

WORK has started to knock down Greenock"s Notre Dame High.

Pupils have been decanted into Wellington Academy and will move back to Dunlop Street when the new Notre Dame is completed in spring 2011.

The new 850-capacity school forms part of the £80 million Inverclyde public-private partnership schools project, and will also incorporate a communication and language base.

Education convener, Councillor Iain McKenzie, said: 'It"s great news that the demolition has started.

'This is another big step towards the provision of a modern, state-of-the-art school fit for the 21st century.'

He added: 'A lot of local people have fond memories of the old school building, which has served the community well for many years.

'However, our children deserve to learn in progressive, inspiring buildings that genuinely meet their needs, and the new school will certainly provide all that.'

Phil McDowell, project manager of demolition company Miller Construction, said: 'It"s great for us to be starting on the third school in this project.

'These schools aren"t just buildings, they are an integral part of the local community that will encourage learning and prosperity for the Inverclyde area.

'Work is well under way on the primary school provision and we have enjoyed excellent relationships to date with the teachers and pupils, which we hope will be replicated at Notre Dame.'