AN EAGLE-EYED resident was stunned when he saw workers carrying out repairs to the car park which had just been constructed at new £20m Greenock Health Centre.

Bryan Wright, who lives in Trafalgar Street, spotted activity in the car park of the new-build facility between Wellington Street and Dempster Street.

Mr Wright noticed builders removing brickwork from parking bays opposite the centre before it even opens.

He said: "It appears as if all of the bays are having to be repaired in some way before they've actually been used.

"If there has been an error, who will be held accountable?

"Will the added cost of the remedial work be included in the final costs?"

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde today admitted that damage had been caused to the bays but said that this was not unusual for a project of such stature.

The spokesperson added: "During the construction of the new £20m Greenock Health Centre, there was some very minor damage to some of the parking bays.

"This is being rectified by the contractor at no cost to NHS GGC.

"Such issues are common in large scale projects."

Inverclyde councillors approved plans for the new Dempster Street health centre back in 2018.

Work by BAM Construction was briefly halted last March due to the coronavirus pandemic but restarted in April after a 'review of all risks'.

The original Duncan Street health centre opened almost 40 years ago and continues to be the base for several GP practices.

The new facility, which will house a number of health and social care services, will replace it.

It forms part of the Broomhill regeneration programme and occupies the former Inverclyde Academy site.

It was due to be unveiled before the end of 2020 before the pandemic struck.

Work on the project is now nearing completion.

Health board chiefs expect the site to be handed over to them by builders in mid-March, with the facility then being opened later in the year.