PORT Glasgow's town centre is set for a £335,000 upgrade to roads and pavements in the next month.

Work is about to start in Princes Street with footpaths replaced and roads.

But Inverclyde Council road bosses say they are taking steps to reduce the upheaval to traders and shoppers.

The improvements are part of the £2.5 million towns and villages investment.

Regeneration Vice Convener Councillor Colin Jackson said: “The need to replace and improve the footpaths in Princes Street is seen a priority for the ongoing regeneration of Port Glasgow.

“It is the main thoroughfare through the town centre and once completed will enhance the look and feel of the area."

It comes on top of the new spur road from the A8 and with plans in place to remove redundant buildings and restore empty units.

Councillor Jackson added: "Taken together all of these will boost existing businesses and attract fresh investment into the area.”

The additional carriageway works was made possible by an award of £150,000 from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and will be managed by the Council’s delivery agent Riverside Inverclyde.

Inverclyde Councillor David Wilson is Vice Chair of SPT. He said: “I am delighted we have been able to contribute to a project that will help to breathe new life into Port Glasgow town centre."

The work – which is expected to last until the end of the year – is due to begin on Monday 17 September.

The contract has been awarded to Landscape and Contracts based in Hillington.

They say they have a track record of delivering in town centres.