A PAIR of councillors hope they are on the right track by trying to get people walking along an old railway line path.

Chris Curley and Pam Armstrong are putting forward proposals to redevelop the 'high line', which ran from Lady Octavia to Whinhill and Lynedoch Street.

The SNP councillors want to use the route of the old railway line to create a linear park and active travel path creating a short route to Greenock town centre.

Greenock Telegraph:

Councillor Chris Curley, the SNP’s environment and regeneration spokeperson, said: "The first stage would be a path from Lady Octavia to Lynedoch Street with connections to Burnhead Street, Belville Street, Bawhirley Road, Whinhill Road and Dellingburn Street.

"There is also an opportunity to use the site of the old Lynedoch Station as a community project to re-invigorate that area.

"It's all gone back to nature, it could be a nice place for people to take a recreational walk.

"The rail route continues all the way to Brougham Street and the Container Terminal but the area beyond Lynedoch to Lady Octavia is mostly tunnels.

"From Lynedoch Street it could link to Greenock town centre."

Greenock Telegraph: Pam Armstrong and Chris Curley

Councillor Curley says the radical plan could tie in with the town centre levelling up project.

He is also keen to link the route to the old 'puggy line' which ran to Overton and the end of the Greenock Cut.

He said: "It used to supply a paper mill and it was an engineered route with a small gradient, from Whinhill Station to the start of Greenock Cut.

“Combined together these two projects would enable completely off-road travel between Quarrier's Village in the east to Inverkip in the west.”

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Cllr Curley said although these ideas are at an early stage he is keen to see progress made.

There have also been calls for Sustrans to consider a new bridge to replace the former ‘nine-arches’ in Devol Glen further along the old railway line.

Councillor Curley said: "This section of the former railway line is currently disused but if re-purposed could help to regenerate this part of Greenock as well as providing a much-needed direct connection to the town centre.

"There are similar projects in New York and Bowling, using old rail infrastructure to attract small businesses and tourism into the area.

"In 2027 Greenock Cut will be 200 years old and we could tie that in to develop it as a major tourist attraction in Inverclyde.

"We could look at regenerating the former paper mill site and improve parking and amenities."

Councillor Armstrong added: "I think the development of the high line for leisure and recreation would be a fantastic asset for Ward 3.

"It would be an oasis of peace and nature going through some of the busiest areas of Greenock, providing cycling and walking opportunities for residents and visitors.

"I am keen to look at all potential developments including the possibility of a velo rail section, which would be a unique attraction for Inverclyde.

"This is the kind of initiative which can attract much needed external funding to Inverclyde."