WORK is underway on a £3.2 million project to make Greenock’s traditional high street more attractive and accessible for shoppers and visitors.
Funded by Inverclyde Council and Sustrans Scotland, the redevelopment of West Blackhall Street is aimed at creating a vibrant area which is accessible for all with additional space for pedestrians and cyclists and new public realm areas with extra seating and trees to enhance the environment, whilst maintaining vehicle access.
The project will also see the street opened up with existing roads layouts replaced with a single one-way system straight through from Westburn Street to Grey Place to simplify access for cars and parking down one side of the street only.
Work started on Monday 8 January and is expected to last through until autumn 2024, Inverclyde Council said.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said, “The redevelopment of West Blackhall Street has been a long time coming and is a much-needed project to breathe new life into what is Greenock’s traditional high street to support local businesses, residents, shoppers and visitors.
“It’s not been an easy journey to get to this point and I have to commend the efforts of council officers and partners, particularly Sustrans Scotland and SPT, for getting us to this point with work now underway on this exciting regeneration project.
“I look forward to seeing the new-look West Blackhall Street starting to take shape over the coming weeks and months and to the start of a new and exciting chapter for Greenock Town Centre following on from the opening of the new Ocean Terminal visitor centre and with additional major investment to come from the two Levelling Up projects being funded by the UK Government.”
As well as improving the look and accessibility of West Blackhall Street, the project is also designed to future proof the area so that it will be compatible with more sustainable forms of transport and zero-carbon targets with a shift in focus towards pedestrian priority.
Craig Cameron, grant manager for Sustrans Scotland, added, “We’re delighted to see works starting on the regeneration of West Blackhall Street in Greenock. This project will not only make walking, wheeling and cycling an everyday option for those living and working in the area, it will also create a more attractive and welcoming space for everyone through improvements such as tree planting and additional seating provision.”
