SCOTTISH Water bosses today announced the completion of a £2.5 million project to tackle flooding on the A8 in Greenock - then warned they 'cannot say the road will never flood again'.

The work - which started in January last year - saw a new screened Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system being constructed on Inverclyde Council grounds on Pottery Street.

The project moved on to the road – which has been prone to flooding - in last June, with Scottish Water working on both carriageways and the central reservation to install and connect the upgraded sewer.

A series of contraflows were used to keep tens of thousands of vehicles moving during the works.

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Steven Greenhill, Scottish Water’s alliance management team manager, said: “While we cannot say the road will never flood again, it will happen significantly less often and drain significantly faster when it does.”

The CSO will now divert excess water through a culvert into the nearby Lady Burn during periods of extreme rain.

Mr Greenhill said: “This project has been many years in planning and development, and I am delighted to see it completed.

Greenock Telegraph: The road has been prone to localised floodingThe road has been prone to localised flooding (Image: Newsquest)

“As well as installing larger pipework under the A8 to connect to the new CSO we have also relined nearly 100 metres of sewer, effectively installing a new pipe within the old."

Mr Greenhill noted that there had been 'a huge amount' of cooperation from businesses, agencies, blue-light organisations and the general public during the works.

Councillor Michael McCormick, convenor of environment and regeneration, said: “Road users also deserve a huge amount of credit for their patience and understanding during these works and I am sure they will agree it was some short-term pain to deliver a long-term solution to alleviate flooding on this important link for Inverclyde.”

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan thanked Scottish Water for their 'substantial investment'.

He said: "When I started campaigning to get investment along the A8 in 2009, I was determined to see investment.

"It has been a long journey to get to this point, but I am delighted this has happened.

"It will make a positive difference and hopefully flooding in this area will be less severe than what we have endured."

MP Ronnie Cowan added: "The sort of work required was always going to cause disruption to traffic and the motorists of Inverclyde have been fantastic.

"They have shown great patience and observed the 'use both lanes' and 'merge in turn' instructions.

"The outcome should be far fewer road closures, so this should be recognised as a good job well done."