Construction work on a major £22 million redevelopment of Greenock town centre is set to begin in early 2025.
Members of Inverclyde Council’s environment and regeneration committee were told to expect to see shovels in the ground for the UK Government-funded Levelling Up project in early 2025, with an estimated completion in autumn 2026.
The project will involve developing new public spaces for the local community and modernising retail space in the town centre by demolishing the A78 dual carriageway and 40 per cent of the Oak Mall shopping centre to create a new mall entrance.
The Bullring Roundabout will be replaced with a new low-level road and signalised junction to provide improved links to different parts of the town centre.
Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Hector McNeill House headquarters will also be demolished, with staff relocated to the vacant James Watt Building in nearby William Street and other parts of Greenock Municipal Building.
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While demolition and construction elements have yet to begin, work has been on the go behind the scenes to finalise plans with the various partner agencies and organisations involved and appoint a contractor.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “This is a hugely complex project with so many different elements in one of the busiest parts of Inverclyde in terms of traffic.
“There has been a huge amount of work on the go in the background by council officers working closely with the various partner agencies to get this important Greenock Town Centre regeneration project off the ground and we’re now seeing progress towards the physical work starting early next year.
“A benefit of the demolition and construction work starting in early 2025 is that it will not impact on this year’s Christmas trading period, which we know is so important for retailers.
“We will keep members of the public advised of key dates and any disruption throughout the construction phase.
“There will of course be substantial disruption and I’m sure some bumps in the road as the project gets underway in earnest next year but I hope people will continue to share in our vision of making Greenock Town Centre a more attractive and welcoming place to live, work, visit and do business.
“With so many exciting projects in central Greenock, including ongoing improvements to West Blackhall Street and the new Ocean Terminal cruise ship visitor centre, in addition to this Levelling Up project, let’s get behind Greenock and look towards a brighter future for the town.”
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