DRIVERS are being warned about delays in Greenock town centre due to the next stage of a £2.8m waterworks programme.

Scottish Water is progressing work on a scheme to improve waste water infrastructure and prevent flooding.

The initial work saw 47m metres of pipework installed in the Bullring car park along with two large sewer overflow chambers in the B&M store car park and it is now complete.

The next phase will involve connecting the new infrastructure to an existing sewer at the High Street roundabout and completing upgrade works at the B&M car park.

It means four way traffic lights will be brought in at the roundabout with Inverkip Street starting on Monday for approximately four weeks.

A traffic contraflow on Inverkip Street will be in place with four lanes reduced down to two, one operating each way, and the pedestrian crossing near the roundabout will be replaced with a temporary one.

Project manager Scott Hendry said: “The location of the existing sewer is in the middle of the road on the roundabout.

"To minimise the length of time we are in the road and the disruption to road users, we are using a guided tunnelling machine to tunnel across to the roundabout.

"We shall then excavate down and connect the new pipework onto the existing sewer.

"We appreciate that this work may cause disruption and thank drivers in advance for their patience and understanding whilst we complete this essential work.”

Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for journeys.

Scottish Water's Ruaridh MacGregor said: "We appreciate that the work will impact road users however we believe they will understand as the project will benefit retailers, shoppers and the wider community by helping to reduce the risk of flooding in the future.”

The remaining work after the traffic lights are taken away will be confined to the B&M car park and should be finished by September.