A LEADING Inverclyde businessman has called for a bypass to be built for Port Glasgow and Greenock to encourage more people to live in the two towns.

Shock new figures how that the population of the area is in long term terminal decline.

According to the Scottish Government Inverclyde suffered a 5.6% reduction in its population between 2011 and 2021.

A further drop is expected by 2028 with Inverclyde one of only two councils in Scotland projected to have more people leaving than arriving.

Gavin McDonagh, former President of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, believes daily rush hour gridlocks between the two town centres is deterring people from living in the area and forcing others out.

Instead many are choosing to buy homes in nearby towns like Bishopton and Erskine where motorway access is easier.

He believes a bypass similar to the M77 on the southside of Glasgow and the three towns in Ayrshire would revitalise Inverclyde and encourage more to live there.

The M77 completed in 2005 replaced the old Ayr Road and A77 routes.

It allows traffic to travel to and from Ayrshire while avoiding the south side of Glasgow and easing congestion during rush hour traffic for commuters.

The A78 bypass completed in 2006 serves the towns of Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan taking heavy traffic away from the centres.

Gavin, 66, is Managing Director of Inverkip Marina ownership firm Holt Leisure Parks and a member of Inverclyde Council’s Repopulation Committee.

He said: ”I have been banging the drum about gridlock in Greenock and Port Glasgow for years. If we are looking at at re-population then the first thing that you must sort is transport.

“The authorities need to get the road network sorted out. The best thing we could do is build a bypass.

“It would take away much of the congestion we find in Greenock because you are by passing it.

“The M77 and three towns are perfect examples of successful re-routing to stop the backlog.”

Gavin says any bypass would connect Inverkip to Newark Castle at Port Glasgow via Loch Tom.

He believes it would provide access to Spango Valley and the site of Inverkip Power Station where various developments including new housing are planned.

Gavin also wants to see improved and updated traffic controls between Port Glasgow and Greenock and fewer traffic lights.

He says there are 21 separate sets between the two towns which add to the delay and congestion particularly round Greenock’s Dunlop Street and Grey Place.

Gavin added: ”It can take at least 40 minutes to navigate both towns during the morning and early evening rush hours with the same issues on a Saturday.

“Both arteries in and out of the town are clogged on a daily basis.

“People are not going to live and work in Inverclyde if you have that extra time at the end of your day getting home.”

During the 4.30pm rush hour he says it can take upwards of an hour to travel from Inverkip to Newark Castle, Port Glasgow.

He does not believe that the UK Government levelling up funded redevelopment of Greenock town centre planned over the next two years will make any difference.

Inverclyde has been handed almost £20million of UK Government Levelling Up cash to improve the town centre and open up access by road.

The project involves the partial demolition of the Oak Mall shopping centre and realignment of the A78 which cuts through the heart of the town.

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

The Hector McNeil council building which houses health and social care, will also be demolished along with around 40 percent of the shopping mall.

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

Work is due to begin soon, despite some delays, with a completion deadline of March, 2026 However Gavin says Greenock needs something more drastic to make the town more accessible.

He added: “There needs to be a serious look at the road network and some radical action.”

Gavin would also like to see more housing in the town particularly detached and semi detached properties.

He says a bypass would encourage builders to build houses because of the better road connections.

Gavin added: “Inverclyde is an ageing population. youngsters are moving out of the area into areas which have better road connections like Bishopton.

“Glasgow and Edinburgh is where the work is.

“There needs to be a free flow of traffic in the morning and evenings or else people will just go elsewhere.”

Scotland’s road networks are the responsibility of government agency Transport Scotland.

Their spokesperson said: “There are no plans for a new bypass between Greenock or Port Glasgow to the M8. The Scottish Government remains committed to the A8, A78 and the wider connectivity of Inverclyde.

“That is why the Scottish Government has invested well over £19million in the maintenance and operation of the A8 since 2007.”