Greenock businessman Sandy Easdale has called for urgent action to halt Inverclyde’s long-term population decline and help regenerate the area.

Sandy, 56, has lived in Greenock all his life and runs Britain’s biggest independent bus company McGill’s with his 53-year-old brother James.

He would welcome the construction of a town bypass but accepts that could be a long way off.

Sandy would like to see a more ‘forward thinking’ approach to planning by Inverclyde Council which he believes would reverse the population decline.

Read more: Why is Inverclyde seeing a steady decline in population?

On the subject of the challenges caused by the congested Inverclyde road network and the problems presented for running a bus company, he added: “The roads are a mixture of trunk routes and local and this causes stresses on planning and funding.

“We have to face facts and accept that the desire for any bypasses are a long-term target so we have to better manage what we have in the interim.

“The delays caused to buses bring low productivity and higher fares - a bad combination for those on low incomes.

“Like many areas, planning in Inverclyde just isn’t forward thinking enough and beset by a parochial mindset.

“Changing this will change the population decline into growth.”

Read more: Calls for bypass to combat traffic gridlock in Inverclyde

However, Sandy believes that Inverclyde has more positives than negatives and a potentially bright future if the right steps are taken locally.

He added: “Inverclyde is a very attractive place to live and work. The scenery is world class. The schools estate is very young and well maintained with good attainment levels.

“There are plenty of recreational facilities and clubs including football, rugby and well- regarded water sports clubs.

“The area was heavily industrialised 50 years ago and has been sympathetically regenerated.

“It is classed as the cheapest Glasgow commuter area for property and you do get a lot for your money.

“I believe that these things are cyclical and in the main, the right things are being done.”

(Image: Supplied)

Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Bus Group, believes a focus on public transport by Inverclyde Council is the key to increasing the population of the Inverclyde area - even if it is at the expense of motorists.

He also agrees with Sandy Easdale that council planners need to be more forward thinking.

Mr Roberts added: “There is a need for a bypass around Port Glasgow but, realistically, this is a long-term target.

“The traffic congestion should be addressed as a priority because of its impact on the local economy.

“Frequent delays to buses due to congestion result in lower economic productivity in the region - as well as higher fares.

“This is a combination that will particularly affect those on low incomes.”

(Image: George Munro)

Mr Roberts continued: “Planning in Inverclyde just isn’t forward thinking enough or bold enough.

“Changing this mindset could reverse the population decline and help boost the economy of the region.

“Local government in Inverclyde, in common with many other areas, seeks the benefits of an active travel economy, with greater use of public transport but they are too afraid to upset the motorist to achieve it.

“This is holding back the region and holding back Scotland.”

Sandy and James Easdale, both former Rangers directors, have an estimated worth of £1.45billion, according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List and are the sixth wealthiest in Scotland.

The siblings also have a range of property investments across Inverclyde and elsewhere.

This article was produced as part of a series focusing on the issue of de-population in Inverclyde.