Published: Saturday, 6th March, 2010 2:00pm

Car owners worried over road closure

PORT Glasgow drivers say their cars will be sitting targets and their insurance will shoot up because of a road closure.

Moray Road will be closed for 18 weeks to allow River Clyde Homes build 32 new houses in the area.

This means many residents will not be able to use their driveways but instead will have to use a car park created at the entrance to the site.

Colin McGonigle, 29, who lives in the street, is worried cars will be vandalised after a spate of incidents in the area.

He said: "I usually have my car parked in the drive and so does my dad. His premium has gone up by £30 because it won't be parked in the driveway.

"He has his own business and has a van as well and I've got a sports car so they could be targeted.

"Young boys were out here a few weeks ago, kicking mirrors off cars and it's still going on."

Councillor Jim MacLeod has raised people's concerns with RCH.

He said: "While all of the constituents realise the work needs to be done and this will cause some upheaval for a few months while the road is being widened and new houses are being built, there were concerns from the households there was a lack of information about what is to happen and when it will happen, other than a leaflet that went through the doors some time ago."

He said the three main issues were car parking, the safety of older and disabled residents walking from their homes to the end of the road and security at the site at night and at weekends.

A RCH spokesman said: "The road closure is essential as there are a number of utility diversions required for the 32 new houses being built. As a result, there will be no access for private vehicles on Moray Road for approximately 18 weeks, although a temporary car park has been made available at the entrance to the site.

"Those residents who have raised concerns have been visited to allay their fears.

"The site set up is also at the start of the site and security personnel will be on site for the duration of the contract.

"The 32 new houses are scheduled for completion within one year. This short-term inconvenience is unavoidable, but, the long-term benefits of providing new family housing in Inverclyde cannot be achieved without this temporary inconvenience."