SCOTTISH Water bosses say the four-way traffic system on the A78 at Inverkip Street will finally be removed next month.

The road management measures, to allow work on the £2.8m flood prevention project, have caused traffic chaos and affected local traders.

But now there seems to be an end in sight.

A spokesman said: "It is estimated that the four-way traffic light system which is currently in operation on the A78 at High Street roundabout will be removed week beginning 12th October."

The project started on July 9 and was only supposed to take four weeks but a 'machinery issue' meant contractors had to resort to digging tunnels some 26 metres long by hand.

Engineers tunnelled under the roadway from a section of the B&M car park on Inverkip Street across to High Street roundabout.

A stretch within the car park was also excavated by hand.

Scott Henry, project manager with contractor Amey, Black and Veatch, said: “The hard, rocky ground meant that we had no alternative but to return to traditional methods and use hand operated tools like picks and shovels to do the excavations.

“It was really hard work for the tunnellers.

"They’ve removed approximately 115 tonnes of debris comprising mainly of reinforced concrete, brickwork foundations, sandstone and whinstone rock.”

Scottish Water chiefs say this has caused delays with the project.

Ruaridh MacGregor, corporate affairs manager, said: “Tunnelling during this phase has taken much longer than expected due to the fact that the tunnels had to be dug-out by hand. "This was unavoidable and we do appreciate that the associated road traffic management has caused some frustrations for local businesses and road users.

"We thank those who have been affected for their patience and understanding.”

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Tele photographer George Munro took an aerial shot showing the extent of the work.

Company Northern Tunnelling were drafted in to do the hand-digging work and provided tunnel pictures.