Water supplies affected WATER supplies in parts of Greenock were disrupted last night.

Scottish Water received reports from customers who had no supplies.

The issue was flagged up to Scottish Water at around 9pm.

The company sent maintenance men to investigate and resolve the problem.

Last night’s incident followed disruption to supplies in part of the west end of Greenock on Sunday.

The weekend problems came following reports of a burst main.


Live music for free A FREE all-day arts and live music event takes place in Greenock on Friday.

Artists’ group Absent Voices has organised a ‘pop up’ show featuring performances from musician Kevin McDermott and Gourock singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon. The group of artists-in-residence at Greenock’s Sugar Sheds have been working on a project exploring the rich legacy of the industry in Inverclyde.

Primary schools, community groups and members of the public have been involved and now the organisers want to share their work with the public. During the event, in the Beacon from 2.30-8.30pm on Friday, the artists will be joined by Inverclyde maritime painter James Watt, who will display several of his iconic Clydeside works.


Woman’s drink drive charge A WOMAN whose car left the road and rolled into a field has been charged with drink driving.

The 34-year-old was not seriously injured in the crash, which happened on Kilmacolm Road near Knocknairshill Cemetery around 6.30pm on Sunday. The road was closed while police investigated and the Ford Fiesta car was recovered.

Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged drink-driving following a separate incident in East Hamilton Street, Greenock, at 10am on Sunday.


Progress on £4.7m Gourock project IMPORTANT inspections have taken place ahead of the start of work on the Gourock one-way system project.

Vital checks of the sea wall were conducted by Inverclyde Council.

Part of the Kempock Street car park, which the new road layout will run through, was closed during the inspections.

Work on the £4.7m town centre redevelopment is expected to begin soon.

Fiona Maguire, of developers Riverside Inverclyde, said: “The job is currently out to tender and we’re hoping to be on site early summer.”
Driving charge A MOTORCYCLIST has been reported to the procurator fiscal for allegedly driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.

The 27-year-old man was stopped in Slaemuir Avenue, Port Glasgow, on Saturday evening.


Cocaine claim A 34-year-old man has been reported to the fiscal for allegedly being in possession of cocaine in Brown Street, Port Glasgow, on Sunday.


‘Use tax for jobs’ JOBS could be created for young people in Inverclyde by taxing bankers’ bonuses, says the area’s MP.

Labour’s Iain McKenzie said that his party’s ‘jobs guarantee’ would see every young person out of work in Inverclyde for more than 12 months given a paid post which they would have to take up or lose their benefits.

The scheme would be paid for by taxing the bank bosses.

Mr McKenzie said: “Too many young people in Inverclyde are struggling to find work.

“Our guarantee will get young people across the UK off benefits and into work.”
Aileymill host boot sale THERE will be bargains aplenty this weekend at a car boot sale in Larkfield.

Aileymill Primary is the venue for the sale on Saturday from noon until 2pm.

It is scheduled to take place outside but will be moved indoors and turned into a table top sale depending on the weather.

As well as plenty of bargains, there will be burgers, hotdogs and soup for anyone looking for lunch while they are shopping.

Pitches are still available, priced £5, and can be booked by calling 07960 061939.


Pollution concern A PORT councillor is concerned about pollution in the River Clyde.

The SNP’s Jim MacLeod has written to the UK and Scottish parliaments after claims that the amount of waste discharged from the Faslane and Coulport bases could increase.

Mr MacLeod said: “As the local SNP health spokesperson I am most concerned and I will be writing to both the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments with my group’s concerns.”
‘Bedroom tax’ protest today A PROTEST is being held in Greenock’s Clyde Square today against Inverclyde Council’s policy on the ‘bedroom tax’.

Campaign group Bin the Bedroom Tax Inverclyde say the local authority is refusing to give some people relief payments because they already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefit.

The policy has been condemned by SNP councillor and disability activist Jim MacLeod, who is also his party’s Inverclyde health and welfare spokesman.

He said: “DLA is given to assist disabled people with daily living and not as a buffer to be used against an unjust and uncaring piece of legislation.” But the council insists it’s doing everything possible to assist tenants affected by the ‘bedroom tax’.

A spokesman said: “Every local authority has an upper limit set by the Department for Work and Pensions which cannot — by law — be exceeded.

“We are fully committed to mitigating the effects of the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ after successfully applying for extra funding already from the DWP, bringing our total budget available to £443,000.”
Help make dreams happen A SPECIAL charity fundraiser is being held on Thursday for Dreams Come True in the Tontine Hotel.

It starts at 5.30pm with a meal, followed by a special performance of songs from the Clydeside Singers.

Tickets are available until tomorrow from the Tontine on 723316, Mary Greig on 07446 245592 and Chris Jewell on 783000.


Why council quit COSLA INVERCLYDE Council leader Stephen McCabe has explained the authority’s reasons for quitting an umbrella body in a row over the way government cash is allocated.

Mr McCabe recently gave notice that the council intends to ‘terminate’ its membership of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) next year.

He said the move was designed to ‘protect’ Inverclyde amid a shake-up in the way decisions are reached which could leave smaller councils with little or no influence.

The council currently pays around £60,000 a year in membership fees to COSLA and Mr McCabe says that a review of the organisation’s constitution could result in key decisions being taken away from monthly meetings of Scotland’s 32 council leaders.

Under existing rules each local authority has an equal vote but more power could be handed to a ‘convention’ of 133 individual councillors which meets quarterly.

Speaking during a debate at a council meeting, Mr McCabe said: “My administration’s view is that if the review results in a significant transfer of power from the leaders’ meeting to the convention, that would seriously reduce the influence of this council and lead us to question the value of our continuing membership of COSLA.” “There is a role for COSLA — but not at any price.”
‘Bring Royal Regiment to Inverclyde’ says speaker A SCOTTISH regiment should be ‘repatriated’ from England to Inverclyde, members of Greenock Speakers’ Club have heard.

Iain Ramsay of Greenock told the group that 5 SCOTS (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Royal Regiment of Scotland should be brought north from Plymouth.

Mr Ramsay said: “This area was in the not so distant past the Argylls’ main stomping ground and recruitment area. One of our oldest taverns is still called the Argyll and Sutherland bar.

“We have an excellent facility at Ravenscraig Hospital which is partly closed but has vast grounds with extensive woodland and moorland which are ideal for training and exercise.”
Book bus now for Queens match THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters bus to the match at Cowdenbeath tonight will leave the hotel at 5.30pm, with the usual pick-ups en-route.

The club is also taking bookings for Saturday’s game against Queen of the South at Dumfries.

The bus will go at 12.30pm, with prices £10 for adults and £7 for concessions. To book, call/text Jim on 07983600945.


Port firm’s major expansion hopes A PORT Glasgow outdoor equipment clothing company is planning to expand at home and abroad.

AMG Group employ 90 staff at Kelburn Business Park, and are owners and distributors of leading European camping and outdoor brands such as Vango and Force Ten.

The company, founded in 1966, has received what it described as ‘substantial funding’ to accelerate UK and international growth.

Commercial director, Steve Craig, welcomed the financial backing from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), with the total sum ‘undisclosed’.

Mr Craig said the package will support AMG’s continuing expansion via its network of international distributors and new UK product categories, as well as further investment in its outdoor, footwear and snowsports brands.

He added: “We are very pleased to be working with RBS, who are helping us to further our footprint thanks to the provision of a flexible funding package.

“This will help to facilitate our strategic plans as we look to expand both overseas and at home. It’s a very exciting time for the business as we seek to increase our distribution channels and awareness with consumers.” RBS corporate development director, Lorna Bell, said: “AMG are a well respected name in the outdoor industry, and their extensive range is synonymous with quality and reliability.”