MAINS upgrades to remedy dirty water supply in parts of Greenock after more than a decade have been delayed because of town centre roadworks.

Councillor Tommy McVey has learned that the hold-up to flood prevention works on Inverkip Street at the High Street roundabout will have a knock-on effect to £1 million worth of improvements to pipes in the Old Inverkip Road, Pennyfern and the Barrs Cottage area.

Bosses from trunk roads operator Scotland TranServ have ruled that Scottish Water, which is responsible for both projects, can only carry them out one at a time because they are located so close to each other in a bid to minimise disruption to traffic and residents.

The Tele revealed on Tuesday how the £2.8m Inverkip Street flood works and four-way traffic lights system - which started on July 9 and were only supposed to take four weeks - will now last until at least October 12 after a 'machinery issue' meant contractors are having to dig tunnels by hand.

The Old Inverkip Road mains upgrades got underway on May 16 and were due to last for seven months but have now been put on hold until the conclusion of the town centre project.

Councillor McVey said: "Whilst this is not an ideal situation, I can understand why Scotland TranServ/Transport Scotland have taken the decision to avoid additional road closures which will further inconvenience residents.

"However residents can be assured that I am continuing to monitor the situation closely and that Scottish Water have advised me that they intend to restart the works around Old Inverkip Road in mid-October, but it is dependent on the Inverkip Street works being finished."

Residents in and around the Old Inverkip Road area complained that they have had to put up with yellow and brown water in their homes for the last 13 years.

Mr McVey had been pursuing Scottish Water to sort the long-running issue and the company announced in May the start of a £1m mains upgrades stretching from Larkfield Road and Neil Street down to Pennyfern, Gateside Avenue, Drumfrochar Road and surrounding areas.

Company officials say they will resume work immediately after the conclusion of the town centre flood prevention project and plan to be on site around Lady Alice Primary during the October school holidays.