CONCERNS have been raised that delays to the £44m flagship Port Glasgow shared campus could have a knock-on effect at a Greenock primary school.

The Tele reported last week that the new £44 million Port facility, pictured, won’t be ready until December instead of this month.

And this means that portable cabin ‘classrooms’ being used in Port Glasgow will not be transferred as soon as expected to Ardgowan, which is currently decanted into the former Sacred Heart primary in Westmorland Road.

Councillor Campbell-Sturgess said he is worried about the delay in moving the cabins.

He said: “I’m very concerned about the knock-on effects this may have on Ardgowan Primary, which is currently undergoing refurbishment.

“The school was decanted earlier this year with the belief that, once the shared campus opened in October, they would receive two of the portable cabin classrooms currently being used in the Port.

“Now that the shared campus is delayed, this looks set to not be happening.” He continued: “This could well mean that Ardgowan children will be made to unfairly suffer overcrowding without the portable classrooms they were promised.

“It’s all well saying that they will get them eventually, but primary years education is the most vital part of a child’s schooling.

“They shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of the council’s contractors getting bogged down in disputes.” The councillor added: “I have written to Albert Henderson, the Corporate Director of Education & Communities, to get some clarity on this matter, and see if more can’t be done to get the children of Ardgowan Primary the temporary classrooms they deserve, sooner.” However council chiefs insist Greenock primary school pupils will not be affected by the delay.

A council spokesman said: “Teaching and learning in Ardgowan will remain unaffected by the delay, and the council will offer any additional support through the school if required.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and make sure that parents are kept fully informed as and when we have any information on the campus opening.” Mr Henderson has also written to parents, saying he is hopeful the new campus will be complete by Christmas.

He added: “It is anticipated the mobile units will be moved as soon as the pupils of Port Glasgow High and St Stephen’s high relocate to the shared community campus.”