There have been a lot of roadworks taking place across Inverclyde recently. Many residents and business owners are frustrated and angry – and have used a variety of means to express their views.
For clarity, I do not believe that these works have been planned as they should have. Each organisation affecting the road network at present must shoulder part of the blame.
That said, I think there needs to be much better communication between all stakeholders doing work on, or affecting, the roads. I will be making the case for a dedicated Roadworks Co-ordinator to be the link at Inverclyde Council to help with congestion and scheduling of works going forward. All stakeholders must and can do better.
Understandably, I have received a lot of email correspondence on this subject so hope the below updates are of interest.
NETWORK RAIL INVESTMENT
I welcome the £14m investment taking place but am frustrated that it is happening at the same time as many road improvements.
One of my staff members called Network Rail last week, as that was when I was first notified of the works, to highlight the numerous road works taking place. Network Rail indicated they were not aware of the corresponding roadworks, which I find frustrating to say the least.
A meeting between Inverclyde Council, Transport Scotland, AMEY and politicians is to happen shortly. I’ve asked the council to extend an invite to Network Rail, the Scottish Road Works Commissioner and several utility companies. There is no excuse for Network Rail not to know about the road investment taking place locally.
A8 EAST HAMILTON ST – AMEY
I have long campaigned for increased flood prevention measures and was delighted the see the Scottish Water programme along East Hamilton Street. This investment has benefited our community.
Essential drainage improvements on the A8, East Hamilton St in Greenock did commence on Monday March 10 as planned however, works had to pause due to unforeseen engineering challenges on site. I believe a request also came in from Network Rail for the works to be halted due to the extension to their ongoing works.
For a variety of reasons, this work couldn’t take place immediately after the Scottish Water project. AMEY is now revising the drainage modelling and design to accommodate a water pipe, and works will recommence once a suitable solution has been found.
Revised dates will be announced following consultation with key stakeholders and full details will be available on AMEY’s website in due course.
A78 – PENNYFERN AREA – PAVEMENTS
This has been a huge bone of contention. The delay in completing this work is hampering our community. Late last week, I received an update from AMEY indicating it will now be extended to Friday 2 May.
I’ve lobbied for road and pavement improvements along the trunk road, highlighting regularly where infrastructure needed to be rectified. Doing it in a manner which doesn’t hamper the community is a must.
I have discussed this project with both AMEY and Inverclyde Council, stressing to AMEY that this could have been better planned. Similarly, it has been frustrating for all drivers to drive by and see no workers on site. Again, these works appear to have been revised at present due to a request from Network Rail as their ongoing works are extended and the bus replacement service remains in place.
INVERKIP – CITY DEAL PROJECT – ROAD SAFETY
Improving safety along the A78 at Inverkip is long overdue. I started campaigning for this in 2008, surveying residents in both Inverkip and Wemyss Bay. This led to various meetings with both Transport Scotland and Inverclyde Council, and I was pleased the project was accepted as a Glasgow Region City Deal project, to be led by Inverclyde Council.
I am pleased road safety measures are to be installed. However, I am frustrated that it has taken so long, and disappointed that it is now tied in with the new village of 650 homes to be built on the old power station site.
For clarity, I do not support this housing development as I have long held concerns that the A78 and beyond cannot cope with these additional houses.
Going back to the upcoming works, a variety of possible road infrastructure improvements were suggested including traffic lights, roundabouts and T-junctions.
Whilst many may have preferred a roundabout, this solution wasn’t workable, hence the proposed traffic light system and T-Junction. I believe this will make accessing Inverkip safer. Safety is paramount.
The number of accidents and near misses at the North Junction (Sainsburys Junction) have only continued and with more housing developments (both in Inverkip and at the power station site) being granted by Inverclyde Council’s Planning Committee, there is a greater risk of more accidents occurring on the A78.
Time will tell if the Glasgow Region City Deal investment delivers on these points. I hope it does. It would have stood a greater chance of success if another 650 houses were not to be built in the coming decade or so.
