GOUROCK is to get a new viewpoint as part of its multi-million pound town centre regeneration project.

Work is almost finished on the viewpoint mound, pictured, near the railway station.

Regeneration body Riverside Inverclyde (RI) is delivering the £5.2 million town centre revamp on behalf of Inverclyde Council.

A spokeswoman for RI said completion of the viewpoint has been delayed — by good weather.

She said: “What you can see on the top just now is soil. Final turfing of the top was held up because it was too warm, but we’re planning to complete it soon.” It’s hoped the viewpoint will become a focal point for people to gaze over the river, as they will be able to walk just over three metres up to the top.

She said: “There will be seating around it, and we hope it will be somewhere people will go to have their lunch, for example.

“The mound will help to shield the car park from anyone passing by on the river.

“We’re also planning to plant bulbs at the viewpoint, and hope it will be a popular place for people to visit.” Meanwhile, resurfacing work is continuing nearby on Kempock Street as the town transformation continues. It started on Tuesday and is due to take about two weeks.

Opinion was divided this week among local traders and people about the resurfacing and the overall project.

Some said there was too much mess, and it was wrong to take the surface off both sides of the road at the same time.

Others said the work was a means to an end, and it was better to get it all done as quickly as possible, while people praised the look of the new paving on the street.

Opinions also varied on the new one-way road set-up, which will see traffic from Greenock going along the current Kempock Street, while traffic going towards Greenock will use the newly constructed Lower Kempock Street.

Some fear the new set-up could take away trade from the town, but others believe it may encourage more visitors to stop and shop there.

The Lower Kempock Street car park is now accessed by going down to the pierhead and turning left along the new road.

Inverclyde Council’s environment and regeneration convener, Councillor Michael McCormick, said the ‘significant level of investment’ in Gourock town centre involves a great deal of work over a relatively short period of time.

He added: “Drivers and visitors enjoying the excellent shops and businesses in Gourock town centre are urged to take note of the temporary parking restrictions and the additional spaces which will be available in Lower Kempock Street while resurfacing is taking place.”