DELAYS to Scottish Water improvement works on the A8 in Greenock have been branded ‘frustrating’ by a frontbench MSP after he raised the issue with the Scottish Government.

Conservative MSP Jamie Greene asked Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan whether Scottish Water’s £2.5m project to address frequent flooding on the local route was still anticipated to finish within its original timeframe of eight months in a written question earlier this week.

The works, which were due to start in late February of this year, were postponed while emergency gas pipe works were carried out on the route by gas distribution company SGN.

They recommenced earlier this month, with the original deadline for completion of the project being pushed back from October to the end of the year.

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Mr Greene told the Telegraph that while the longer wait for the works to be completed would be a let down for motorists, the work moving forward was still a positive.

He said: “These delays are frustrating and regrettable and will come as a disappointment to thousands of motorists and commuters.

“Whilst this may be frustrating, the positive side is that the project will reduce flooding on the A8 in the longer term and also lower the amount of sewage flowing into the local environment.

“Nonetheless, the A8 is suffering severe congestion at the best of times, more works affecting it will simply add to the growing pollution from cars and frustration for drivers and commuters who rely on it.

“I will continue to monitor the project’s progress closely and am hopeful that this will be the last delay.”

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In response to Mr Greene’s question, Ms McAllan said that the enquiry was an operational matter for Scottish Water and supplied a response the corporation had provided.

It stated: “Work within Inverclyde Council’s Pottery Street depot has been progressing well, although there has been some delay to starting work on the A8 itself due to other urgent utility work.

“For the section of work on the A8, Scottish Water’s forecast start date is at the end of June, with an anticipated completion by mid to end December.”

Flooding on the A8 has been a problem for many years, with the road frequently rendered impassable during periods of heavy rainfall.

The works currently taking place are to construct a new combined sewer overflow (CSO) beneath Inverclyde Council’s roads depot in Pottery Street, adding extra capacity to the sewer network during heavy rain.

The new overflow will also act as a ‘safety valve’, allowing excess screened waste water to discharge into the Lady Burn rather than back-up into the sewer system and flood the road.

When the overflow has been completed work will begin to upgrade and connect new sewer pipes running beneath the A8 itself.

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are still very much committed to working with stakeholders, businesses and partners to ensuring this project is delivered as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone in Inverclyde.”