REVAMPED underpasses are a bright sign that things are looking up for Greenock town centre according to a town councillor.

Work was recently completed on three busy walkways, with the £30,000 project including new artwork by local creative company Magic Torch on one of the Bullring roundabout subways.

New panels replicate the famous tile murals of Clyde-built paddle steamers by acclaimed artist Robert Stewart, with the originals now protected.

Councillor Francesca Brennan says it heralds a new beginning for a part of the area has been neglected for too long, with a £22m Levelling Up project coming down the track and West Blackhall Street set for a separate revamp.

Cllr Brennan said: "We have said the town centre is a major concern for people.

"We want people to be proud of Greenock town centre.

"The underpasses are now much more welcoming for people coming into town and the artwork is great from Magic Torch but we know that we still have work to do.

"We now have the levelling up project which is going to be massive.

"I would like to thank Riverside Inverclyde and our partners for their support."

Inverclyde Council have just completed a project to improve the two Bullring Roundabout underpasses and the pedestrian tunnel at Regent Street as part of a £31,000 project funded by regeneration body Riverside Inverclyde (RI).

Included in the project is the Bullring South underpass, which features famous tile murals of Clyde-built paddle steamers.

The tiles were recently cleaned by hand as part of the preservation of the artwork and are covered with more durable panels featuring images of the same vessels on top of a fresh, new background.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “It’s a real shame that the underpasses were so badly vandalised in the first place but the council, in partnership with RI, has stepped up to the mark and delivered an amazing transformation.

“We want to encourage visitors, as well as local people, to discover Inverclyde and what we have to offer and we all know that first impressions count so it’s important that these well-used and prominent walkways connecting Greenock Town Centre are looking their best.”

Work on these three underpasses follows the completion of improvements to the West Stewart Street pedestrian walkway last year, also as part of the project.

Gavin McDonagh, chairman of Riverside Inverclyde, said: “RI continue to support Inverclyde Council in their endeavours to improve the area and we are delighted to see the results achieved with the town’s underpasses.”

The £22m Levelling Up project includes plans to demolish the Bullring Roundabout but the new panels have been designed so that they can be removed and relocated elsewhere.