A LOCAL councillor says Greenock residents living next to the site of the new £20m health centre are being 'treated with contempt' after their road was shut without warning.

Colin Jackson has slammed authorities for closing Ann Street for three days and leaving local people with nowhere to park their cars.

They were suddenly confronted with signs in the street telling them to park elsewhere, to allow for BT Openreach to carry out work to install broadband infrastructure.

It is the latest upheaval for Ann Street residents who have endured a long line of disruption since work started on the site.

Councillor Jackson said: "|Local residents have had to endure a lot in the building of the new health centre.

"Bosses at BAM Construction treated them with utter contempt with many disabled and older residents losing their parking spaces.

"I assumed after I raised concerns about closing the streets, the council would have adopted a more inclusive and sympathetic approach given how this has affected residents previously.

"To say I am disappointed with the lack of consultation with local people is an understatement."

Mr Jackson says he objected to the closure and was told by the council at the time that alternative arrangements would be put in place.

He says this didn't happen.

The Tele reported earlier this year how disabled residents had been forced out onto the road because of construction vehicles blocking the pavement, and residents have complained repeatedly to their local councillor about disruption.

Health centre contractors BAM Construction told the Tele that they were informed at short notice themselves that the BT work was taking place and said they received no complaints.

A spokesman added: "The client organised the road closure to install BT ducts across Ann Street to the site boundary.

"That is finished now.

"Our door is always open and we do our best to be friendly and helpful to our friends and neighbours."

Construction on the new health centre was halted at the start of lockdown, but was given the go ahead to resume shortly afterwards and it's hoped the work will be finished before the end of the year.

An Inverclyde Council spokesman said: “The section of road was closed for three days to allow for the installation of a new BT duct line to provide broadband internet for the new health centre building.

"The work was essential and there was no alternative method or location for this utility connection.

"The road has since reopened.

“The utility company has the right to access its apparatus and have the responsibility, as appropriate, to consult with residents and inform them about any work.

"Signs were put up to advise residents of the parking restrictions in advance and in accordance with legislation requirements.

“The council negotiated with the utility contractor to ensure the scale and timeframe of the work was kept to an absolute minimum in order to minimise disruption to residents.

“There is unfortunately disruption associated with most construction projects, especially one of this scale which will turn a derelict piece of land into a modern, state-of-the-art health centre for the Inverclyde community.”

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board say they are working hard to liaise with local residents.

A spokeswoman added: "The main contractor for the new centre, BAM, has provided contact details to all local residents should they have any concerns arising from the construction works.

"This new £21 million centre will transform local healthcare."