AN AGREED plan to deal with a known traffic accident blackspot in Inverclyde has been controversially scrapped by the Scottish Government.

Councillors are so concerned at the u-turn that they've joined forces to challenge transport secretary Michael Matheson to urgently visit the district.

A deal had been struck to install a new roundabout on the A78 near the former Inverkip Power Station but this has been abandoned in favour of an 'extensive' traffic signal junction.

Now council leader Stephen McCabe and opposition boss Chris McEleny have signed a letter calling on Mr Matheson to see the site for himself.

Mr McEleny declared: "The likelihood is that local people will not be happy the original roundabout solution is to be scrapped."

Councillor McCabe said: "We had been asked to approve a change to the previously agreed scheme to allow a final business case for the project to be submitted.

"However we were concerned this involved abandoning a new roundabout and moving forward with an extensive traffic signal controlled junction instead."

Proposed improvements to the road are part of a £3.25 million City Deal project in Inverkip for the development of the 20 hectare former power station site with the creation of more than 600 houses and 6,000sq m of commercial retail space.

Councillor McEleny said: "The location is a known accident blackspot and has been the subject of letters and meetings with Transport Scotland over many years.

"We would therefore like to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Michael Matheson MSP to see the site for himself and to review the proposed changes to the A78 road improvements."