AN £80,000 bid to turn a former blaes football pitch in Gourock into a car park is finally going ahead.

Town councillors Ronnie Ahlfeld and Lynne Quinn say the Drumshantie Road development is key to solving a parking crisis and paving the way to improving facilities in Gourock Park.

They came up with the plan following concerns from residents living in the area about cars parking along the road and causing congestion.

A recent public consultation regarding the change of use sparked some concern about the lack of sports facilities in Inverclyde - but the councillors insist it will help create opportunities.

Councillor Ahlfeld said: "We wholeheartedly agree with a number of comments from the consultation.

"Everything we are doing is geared up to restoring the whole park for use of family-friendly facilities, enabling full use of fabulous green spaces within Gourock Park.

"This area has not been used a football pitch for almost 15 years so this isn't about taking away a pitch.

"It is part of a wider plan to regenerate the park and create more facilities.

"We want to the old hockey pitch to be used again, with proper drainage.

"It could be used for all sports.

"This land has been used as a car park for people using the pitches but for two years people have been reluctant to use it as it has potholes, is rutted and is regularly flooded.

"Instead they are parking out on the road, causing traffic problems, because there is nowhere else to park.

"There are only 15 car parking spaces for the park as a whole and we need more - people approached us to find a solution and this solves lots of problems."

The new car park will be open to people using the adjacent 3G pitch, bowling club and Wellington Nursery on George Road, and it's hoped it will also ease congestion around St Ninian's Primary School across the road.

The councillors first put in a bid as part of the budget process two years ago for resurfacing work and it was successful.

But with the pandemic there were delays in getting the process finalised and the work carried out.

Cllr Quinn says she has been approached by many residents in Drumshantie Road concerned about congestion at St Ninian's Primary.

Lynne said: "At school pick-up and drop-off times people park on pavements because of the lack of spaces and there is also a problem when people use the pitches at night.

"We were getting complaints from people in Drumshantie Road and George Road as well, have spoken to residents about it and we are doing this to improve the park."