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:

• Redesigning and lowering the A78 flyover to ground level to improve access and create better connections to the town centre
• Replacing the Bullring Roundabout with a new low-level road and signalised junction to provide improved links to different parts of the town centre
• Developing new public spaces for the local community
• Modernising retail space in the town centre by demolishing the A78 dual carriageway and 40% of the Oak Mall shopping centre and creating a new mall entrance
• Demolishing the Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Hector McNeill House headquarters with staff relocated to the vacant James Watt Building in nearby
• William Street and other parts of Greenock Municipal Buildings
• Demolition of the Hunters Place Public Toilets

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.

The key milestones for the project are now:

• January 2025: Detailed design complete and tender costs submitted to Inverclyde Council
• Spring 2025: Demolition of Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House elements
• Summer 2025: Demolition/construction A78/A8
• Late Summer 2026: Construction end
• Autumn 2026: Project completion

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.”

The project objectives are to address the over-provision of retail capacity within Greenock Town Centre; to create better town centre connections, which are constrained by the current road infrastructure; and create a platform for the development of a cultural quarter.

Regeneration of the town centre is also designed to make Greenock more attractive, bring in more visitors, create new opportunities, and make the town centre more accessible for residents and visitors.

As well as opening up the town centre and creating better transport links and greater public spaces, the demolition of buildings and spaces will deliver recurring savings for the council through reduced maintenance and associated costs.