Plans to fix flooding issues on the A8 in Greenock will be presented to councillors today

Transport Scotland and Scottish Water have been working with Inverclyde Council to come up with solutions to the persistent problems at East Hamilton Street, which has been affected by regular road and lane closures in recent times.

Although the impact of flooding has reduced following some works on pipes, gullies and the sewage network, the group plans to take further action to tackle the issue for the long-term.

A report prepared for today's environment and regeneration committee meeting states the proposed measures will take 'significant planning and investment' from Transport Scotland and Scottish Water.

If the project is approved, it could take up to two years to complete due to its scale and complexity.

The report, compiled by the council’s regeneration chief Scott Allan, states: “The A8 trunk road at East Hamilton Street has been subject to road closures and lane closures as a result of ongoing flooding incidences.

“A liaison group was set up to look at the possible causes and solutions and these meetings have resulted in short and long-term solutions.

“Scottish Water has completed major upgrade works to the sewer network and has constructed a new combined sewer overflow (CSO) and bypass facility at High Street and the Bullring Roundabout.

"This was primarily to reduce the risk of flooding at Oak Mall, and also created additional capacity in the sewer network to reducing surcharging from the sewers at East Hamilton Street.

“Transport Scotland has completed extensive survey and investigation works to the roads and drainage network system and has carried out additional maintenance works to the carrier pipes and gullies between Sinclair Street and Pottery Street.

“These measures have improved the overall drainage network and conditions at the Lady Burn."

The report adds that Transport Scotland and Scottish Water are working on measures that will 'further reduce flooding'.

It says: "These will take significant planning and investment from them to understand the complex nature of the flooding and also design and install a solution.”

After discovering the carrier pipe to the gullies at the old railway bridge had burst, Transport Scotland is now looking at a short-term bypass solution that should assist with flooding on the westbound inside lane.

The firm will also investigate a long-term resolution which may involve a whole new carrier pipe system.

Scottish Water, meanwhile, is proposing to construct a new CSO outfall to the Lady Burn, which will require large scale engineering works.

The company is going through an appraisal and approval process at the moment, which may take a few months to complete before works can get underway.

The report adds: “Scottish Water, given the sensitive location, will require engagement and approvals from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for the outfall, and with Transport Scotland and Inverclyde Council for the co-ordination of traffic management arrangements.

“Construction is also likely to require works within private land, so landowner engagement and approval will also be required.”

Photos by Kenny Ramsay.