MOTORISTS are breathing a sigh of relief after water bosses began removing troublesome temporary traffic lights – a fortnight early.

Scottish Water began work yesterday to remove the Cardwell Road signals which will be taken away by Friday at the latest.

And yesterday workmen began packing up their equipment and taking away the traffic lights bringing an end to lengthy tailbacks in both directions.

It follows the completion of the latest stage of essential £1.5 million upgrades of the drainage in the Cardwell Road, Steel Street and Cove Road area.

The temporary traffic signals have been in place for eight weeks while a section of the busy carriageway was closed to allow maintenance works to be carried out.

The work was supposed to last for 10 weeks.

Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water’s communities team regional manager, said: “We thank road-users affected by our road traffic management for their patience and understanding and apologise for any inconvenience.

“But we are sure they will welcome the fact that most of the road traffic management is now being lifted, ahead of schedule.

“Scottish Water is fully aware of the inconvenience that flooding can cause and we are committed to tackling this and to improving the natural environment so we are pleased to be making good progress and entering the final phase of this investment in our infrastructure in Gourock.” The work was part of a bigger project to improve the water infrastructure and reduce the risk of internal flooding, which has affected 13 properties in Steel Street and Cardwell Road.

An overflow system at the bottom of Steel Street, at its junction with Cove Road, could not cope with flows in storm conditions and this led to waste water backing up and causing flooding in the past.

Contractors George Leslie have now installed new equipment at the same location and upgraded a stretch of about 80 metres of waste water pipe feeding into the system along Cardwell Road from Adam Street.

Improvements were also made to a 110 metre-long stretch of sewer pipe from Steel Street to increase capacity of the local network.

Although the temporary lights at that location have been removed, water bosses say there will be some small-scale road traffic management required for a short time at Cove Road to allow for the reinstatement of a traffic island and road resurfacing.

The project will now move on to its final stage, which includes the installation of a new 180-metre outfall into the River Clyde, which is due for completion in December.

Gourock councillor Chris McEleny, who has been keeping a close eye on the work, praised water bosses for finishing one of the trickiest parts ahead of schedule.

Mr McEleny said: “I am glad that Scottish Water have been able to deliver an early finish as promised.

“I’m sure it’s been a situation that’s caused a lot of frustration for people driving through the area. But the work was essential to improve the lives of those who live there and who have had some major issues.”