The new road and causeway have been designed to open up Garvel Island, assisting the existing businesses in that area with better connectivity whilst also providing brand-new access into James Watt Dock and unlocking the remaining sites for future development.

Extending over 200 metres, the new road and causeway has been a delivered in partnership by James Watt Dock LLP which is a company owned 50/50 by Riverside Inverclyde Urban Development Company and waterside regeneration specialists, Peel Waters.

The construction of the new road and causeway replaces the previous bridge which had gone beyond its designed life and was presenting limitations for the area in terms of the size, width and weight of the vehicles that could use it.

The new road and causeway have been built on new land which was created by sustainable infilling. The infill was undertaken by reusing clean demolition material, collected from local demolition projects instead of producing any new materials.

The new road will support Inverclyde Council’s vision to enhance the competitiveness of Inverclyde as a place to live work, visit, invest and do business in, as well as supporting the growing tourist and visitor economy at James Watt Dock’s marina developments.

Cllr Jim Clocherty, who is a member of the Riverside Inverclyde (RI) board and is Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of environment and regeneration, said: “We’ve all seen the transformation and success of James Watt Dock in recent years and this development is an important next step to open up even more of our fantastic coastline for the benefit of businesses and visitors to these shores.

“The new road provides better connections to Garvel Island and also Great Harbour and paves the way for further development at both sites in future.

“Inverclyde is open for business and this development is one of many exciting projects happening locally to make this area an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.”

Brian Lavalette, property director for Scotland at Peel Waters and is also a member of the James Watt Dock LLP board, added: “This is the next step in the long-standing redevelopment project to regenerate the historic James Watt Dock site into a vibrant new residential, leisure and commercial community.

“Good connectivity and accessible locations are crucial for a community to grow and we are very proud to have worked in partnership with Riverside Inverclyde Urban Development Company and our other partners to complete this project and continue working together to deliver new opportunities for the area.”

David Ross, managing director, George Leslie, also added: “We are incredibly proud to have delivered this project on behalf of James Watt Dock LLP and to have supported their vision of enhancing Greenock’s infrastructure and making it a place where people can live, work and prosper.”

The road was funded thanks to contributions from Riverside Inverclyde Urban Development Company and Peel Waters.