CONSTRUCTION work on the £24 million Greenock town centre transformation is expected to begin later this year, Inverclyde Council has announced.
The project, which is being led by Balfour Beatty, is due to start in earnest in autumn 2025 and will include the demolition of Hector McNeil House, the Bullring Roundabout, eastern side of the Oak Mall Shopping Centre, the removal of the A8 flyover in place of traffic light junctions, and the creation of new public spaces and a fresh entrance for the Oak Mall.
The project has been progressing behind the scenes with ‘extensive’ planning, design, and engagement with the large number of partners organisations involved. Some initial works and site investigations have also been carried out.
The work will bring a low-level trunk road which the council said will bring the town together rather than it being split in two, with the Oak Mall being restructured to enhance the retail and leisure space. A new open civic area will also be created.
Contractors are now expected to begin the main bulk of the project in autumn 2025, starting with the Oak Mall and Hector McNeil House demolition works. While the various part of the redevelopment will be carried out in phases, the whole project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said, “This is a complex project involving various public and private sector partners and a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get to this stage where the main works are due to start soon. This is the biggest project of its kind in a generation with the aim of transforming central Greenock and the town centre for the better and is really exciting.
“It will build on the good work that’s been done to date, including the new Ocean Terminal building and the West Blackhall Street redevelopment, by making Greenock a more accessible and attractive place to live, work, visit and do business. There will, of course, be disruption and we’re not shying away from that.
“We’re also well aware of disruption experienced by residents in recent times due to a variety of emergency and planned works, particularly on the roads network and we share those frustrations. Council officers are working closely with the main contractor and alongside our various partners to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.
“It’s worth remembering though that the long-term goal here is to modernise and improve Greenock and to try and revitalise the town centre. I hope people will share in this positive outlook for the town and get behind Greenock.”
The total investment in the central Greenock project is expected to be around £23.58 million, including associated land and road improvement costs.
Inverclyde Council successfully bid for £19.39 million from the UK Government towards the project with the remaining £4.19 million is being sourced from various external funding pots and the council’s capital reserves.
