£2m revamp for town centre

Published 4 Aug 2010 14:00

ONE of Greenock's busiest streets is being revamped as part of a major £2m town centre redevelopment project.

West Blackhall Street is to get a makeover, with shop fronts improved, stonework cleaned and gutters tidied up.

Paving slabs will also be relaid and tarmac repaired, while a grand entrance to the street will be formed at its junction with Grey Place, where work has already started.

A 'Greenock' sign will be put up and a Green Oak wood nymph statue, currently on display in the Oak Mall, will be installed on a plinth.

There will be some disruption for drivers next week to allow the work to be carried out.

As of Monday, the whole of West Blackhall Street will be one-way. Drivers will only be able to exit the road at Grey Place and Jamaica Street.

The one-way system on part of Jamaica Street will be reversed, and closures will also affect Laird Street, Nicolson Street and Argyle Street. The diversions are expected to remain in place for two weeks.

Inverclyde's regeneration convener, Councillor Jim Clocherty, said: "This is a key part of our regeneration programme for Greenock town centre.

"West Blackhall Street is one of the first streets thousands of cruise ship passengers see when they arrive in Greenock and we want to make it as accessible and attractive as possible.

"We are proud of our town and want visitors to enjoy their experience so much they come back for more."

Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and their partners successfully applied for £1.32 million from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund to carry out the work.

The total cost of the scheme under way for Greenock town centre is £1.985 million, with additional 'match' funding being provided by Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council.

Plans have already been approved to refurbish existing shop fronts on Cathcart Street and work is under way to create an event space and upgrade the quality of the landscaping.

Councillor Clocherty said: "Developing the town centre will make it a more positive place and a quality environment for business and the local community.

"There will be some disruption for a number of weeks along West Blackhall Street while the work is carried out but I am sure it will be well worth it once people see what has been achieved."

Bill Nicol, chief executive of Riverside Inverclyde, said: "I am delighted £1.985m of environmental improvement works are well under way in Greenock town centre using funding from the Scottish Government, Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde.

"It's great the various projects are now starting to appear on site."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Aug 10

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