SEVERAL roads across Inverclyde are to be closed and traffic diversions put in place during the Tall Ships event.

Town centre parking restrictions are also set to be introduced during the festivities, which are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors between 9 and 12 July.

Inverclyde Council has announced that key routes, including the A8, Kingston Dock and Greenock Esplanade will be affected by closures, with streets around the town centre facing parking restrictions on a number of days throughout the festivities.

Park and ride facilities will also be available at IBM on A78 between Greenock and Inverkip and Nether Southbar, near Bishopton, at a cost of £15 per car.

A council spokesman said: "The Tall Ships Races will be bringing a lot of vessels to the area by sea, but it will also attract thousands of people to Greenock on each of the event days, meaning that the population of the town will be greatly increased.

"We do apologise to residents for any inconvenience caused by road closures and would appeal to them for the co-operation by observing the parking restrictions that have been put in place. Any cars found to be in violation of the restrictions will be removed.

"We are very keen to stress there will be very little parking available in Greenock when the Tall Ships are in town and would ask people to leave their cars at home. Local bus services will be increased throughout the four days to ensure that those wishing to take part in the entertainment are able to travel safely and easily to the event site." Deputy chairman of Sail Inverclyde, Ralph Leishman, added: "There is already a great buzz in the local area surrounding the return of the Tall Ships.

"We would like to thank the residents of Greenock and Inverclyde for their patience as we make the final preparations to host such a wonderful extravaganza.

"I am sure that the event will be a fantastic addition to Greenock this summer and those residents will thoroughly enjoy everything that will be on offer." Park and ride and disabled parking passes are available to purchase in advance by clicking onto www.mytownhomepage.co.uk/inverclyde/daily-deals-109.html Key road closures from 9 to 11 July include: Lane closure, eastbound on the A8 between Cartsdyke Roundabout and a point just east of the James Watt Dock access Ratho Street closed north bound Oakleigh Terrace and A8 East Hamilton Street Sinclair Street closed from A8 East Hamilton Street to Carwood Street Cartsdyke Avenue, road closed except for access James Watt Way, road closed except for access James Watt Dock access, road closed except for authorised vehicles Port Glasgow Road closed between A8 Greenock Road - Ardgowan Street (which is also being made one way) The traffic lights on Port Glasgow Road and A8 Greenock Road (across from Bogston Station) will be turned off and a temporary crossing pedestrian crossing point will be provided at Bogston Lane.

A host of other streets will see no waiting restrictions in place.

The list of traffic restrictions during the Tall Ships from 9 to 12 July: Key road closures include: 9 to 11 July Lane closure, east bound on the A8 between Cartsdyke Roundabout and a point just east of the James Watt Dock Access Ratho Street closed north bound Oakleigh Terrace and A8 East Hamilton Street Sinclair Street closed from A8 East Hamilton Street to Carwood Street Cartsdyke Avenue, road closed except for access James Watt Way, road closed except for access James Watt Dock access, road closed except for authorised vehicles Port Glasgow Road closed between A8 Greenock Road - Ardgowan Street (which is also being made one way) Traffic Lights 9 to 11 July The traffic lights on Port Glasgow Road and A8 Greenock Road (across from Bogston Station) will be turned off and a temporary crossing pedestrian crossing point will be provided at Bogston Lane No waiting, no loading at any time restrictions 9 to 11 July Scott Way Lithgow Way No waiting, no loading at any time restrictions on one side of the street 9 to 11 July Glen Avenue Lilybank Road Thomas Muir Street Lansbury Street Laburnum Street Gibshill Road Weir Street Quarrier Street Sinclair Street Carwood Street Bellville Street Ingleston Street Baker Street Dellingburn Street Drumfrochar Road Cornhaddock Street Dunlop Street MacKenzie Street MacDougall Street Temporary closures - Crew Parade Sunday, 10 July Custom House Way Brymner Street Cathcart Street and associated roads Cathcart Square Bank Street Station Road William Street No waiting, no loading at any time restrictions - Parade of Sail Tuesday, 12 July Large sections of the A770 Lyle Road Manor Crescent Burnside Road Around Fort Matilda Rail Station Road closures - Parade of Sail Tuesday, 12 July Greenock Esplanade and the roads leading to it from Eldon Street and Brougham Street will be closed on Tuesday 12 July for the Parade of Sail (Permit holders are available for residents) One way roads 9 to 11 July Ardgowan Street Belhaven Street Lower Mary Street Port Glasgow Road Part of Scott Way One way roads 9 to 12 July Weir Street Quarrier Street One way roads 12 July Greenock Esplanade Bentinck Street Madeira Street North Street Fox Street