THE massive £21m Levelling Up project to transform Greenock town centre will start within the next six months with the eastern side of the Oak Mall being bulldozed.

A new report from senior Inverclyde Council officials sets out a new timescale for the major revamp, which the UK Government is funding with over £19m.

After the investment was secured earlier this year officials had initially stated that their aim was to get construction underway in October 2023 and completed by around March 2025.

Now work is expected to start in the spring or early summer, with almost half of the indoor shopping centre being flattened.

The development aims to open up space and reconnect the town centre by getting rid of the current A78 flyover which cuts through High Street.

Greenock Telegraph: A78 Flyover in Greenock town centre at High Street

The main road will instead be lowered to ground level and the Bullring roundabout will disappear, to be replaced by a low-level road.

Bosses plan to start the road revamp in the second half of next year, with all of the work being completed by early 2026.

Officials say the regeneration scheme will make Greenock more attractive, bring in visitors and 'create new opportunities'.

The area of the Mall which will be opened up has been earmarked for a new 'learning quarter' and possible college campus, with the Hector McNeil House building, which houses the health and social care partnership, also being torn down.

Elsewhere there are plans for a new cultural quarter in the town centre around the old sugar refinery Glebe Building.

Municipal Buildings bosses have been working with Transport Scotland and the owners of the Oak Mall since the funding bid was approved and contractors have now been appointed to carry out design work.

There will be a new signalised junction replacing the roundabout at the intersection of the A8/A78, with two options put forward, it has been revealed.

One of them has a 'compact footprint' favouring 'active travel' and the second, larger option is for 'a fully compliant junction in terms of growth'.

The council report confirming timescales for the project is now set to be presented to councillors.

It says: 'The delivery of the project in respect of timescales is key from a Levelling Up Fund perspective.

'The latest programme indicates demolition of the Mall elements commencing in quarter two of 2024 and the roads demolition/contract commencement starting in quarter three of 2024 with contract completion in quarter one of 2026.'

Local authority chiefs had planned to open a display about the project in the old M&Co shop in the Mall, but say this has 'fallen through' and they are now looking for another empty unit or space to showcase the details.

Meanwhile elected members will be briefed on the progress of the project at a meeting of the environment and regeneration committee to be held on January 18.