A RENEWED call has been made for a road to be built along the waterfront in Greenock as an alternative to the A8.

Councillor Chris Curley says the recent completion of the £18m flats development by River Clyde Homes at James Watt Dock is a golden opportunity to link up roads between Garvel Island all the way to Kingston Dock.

The SNP man says this would create a vital second artery in and out of the town.

The A8 has become a source of growing frustration in recent years, due to repeated instances of flooding which have blocked it at East Hamilton Street.

A major project is expected to begin next year to improve waste water infrastructure in a bid to finally fix the problem - but Mr Curley believes more should be done.

He previously floated the idea of an alternative road back in 2019 - and insists the handover of the new RCH flats at Great Harbour Way paves the way for it.

Cllr Curley, SNP council group environment and regeneration spokesperson, said: “Whilst focus has been on the flooding issue at Ladyburn, recent accidents on the A8 have demonstrated how sensitive our road network is to disruption.

"These accidents affect the ability for the road to function effectively to drive the economy of Inverclyde.

“I previously raised the benefits of an alternative parallel route to the A8 which could be used for local traffic, and if the A8 was blocked, to keep Inverclyde open.

"I welcome the first stage in this possible route which has been provided by River Clyde Homes as part of their James Watt Development.

"It is in our purview as a council to use the nearby City Deal Investment in Inchgreen to extend the Great Harbour Way, by connecting the internal roads required in such a development together.

"In my opinion such joined-up thinking would not significantly affect the land available for industrial purposes, but would enable the industrial areas at Garvel Island, Pottery Street, Inchgreen and Kingston Dock to be connected together creating an industrial zone which will be greater than the sum of its parts.”

Mr Curley, a civil engineer by trade, has also urged the Scottish Government to improve the A8 by removing a number of junctions and crossings, saying that this would 'improve traffic flow'.

He told the Tele: "As part of their second strategic transport projects review, I submitted to Transport Scotland that the A8 between Port Glasgow and Greenock town centre needs to be remodelled to reduce the number of junctions and central reserve crossings, to reduce the potential for traffic conflicts."

The A8 was designed in the 1960s for a much smaller volume of traffic and different land uses around it.

It now handles around 40,000 vehicles every day and many feel it is time for a redesign of the network surrounding it, including Mr Curley's colleague Jim MacLeod.

He added: "Over the years there have been many occasions when the A8 has become gridlocked or the road has not been able to be used at all due to flooding or other incidents.

"Drivers have to find other routes through housing estates or over the hill and along the Kilmacolm Road in to Greenock.

"There are many instances of relief roads having been built in other parts of Scotland.

"If we want to attract more companies to come to Inverclyde, retain the businesses we have and allow emergency vehicles and all of us to have ease of travel we require a road that is dependable."

Stuart McMillan, who is bidding for re-election as the area's MSP, says the A8 has been 'a long running problem for Inverclyde for many decades'.

He said: “During the various meetings I have had with relevant authorities and ministers, we have discussed various suggestions to help both improve the A8 but also keep Inverclyde open.

"Whether it’s a relief road via the James Watt Dock or a bypass, both of which I have previously discussed, it’s clear that ideas are being brought to the table and Transport Scotland must consider the essential requirement for improved trunk road infrastructure in Inverclyde."