Inverclyde hit by 1,850 days worth of roadworks in 12 months

A Telegraph investigation has identified 11 'traffic cone' blackspots on an eight-mile stretch of the A8 west of Langbank in the past 12 months.

The figures, from watchdog body the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, detail 321 separate roadworks schemes on that stretch, which were scheduled to last a total of 1,851 days.

Government body Transport Scotland, which runs the country's trunk road network, is listed as responsible for a total of 227 of them - 70 per cent of all works.

(Image: George Munro)

Other organisations carrying out repairs and improvements, such as pipe and cable laying, included BT, Network Rail and Scottish Water.

Greenock had four roadworks blackspots in the past 12 months according to the figures, in  Dalrymple Street, Rue End Street, East Hamilton Street and Main Street.

Logjams could also be found on Port Glasgow Road, Greenock Road and Glasgow Road.

The data, obtained under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, covers the period from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.

Inverclyde businessman Drew Gallagher said he was not surprised by the figures, and says the Scottish Government must take responsibility.

(Image: Cardwell Garden Centre) The 51-year-old, managing director of Cardwell Garden Centre, fears the constant stream of roadworks may be deterring people and firms from locating to Inverclyde and contributing to the area's long term population decline.

(Image: George Munro) He added: "I drive the road every day and see it constantly.

"They need to get rid of the roadworks and get the traffic moving, both on work days and at weekends.

"The other day I saw a whole section on the A8 to the Ferguson shipyard closed and a diversion in place.

"I understand that roadworks need to be done, but what we are seeing is carte blanche closure of roads, without warning or consultation."

He added: "There needs to be more and better planning.

"For example, off-peak roadworks at night, and not just on the M8.

"It needs to be planned works, with the local business economy in mind

"Inverclyde has so much to offer, but that is being hampered by its road network."

Drew has previously backed calls for an M77-style bypass to relieve pressure on Port Glasgow and Greenock to bring  more industry into the town and encourage young people to remain.

He has seen a 20 per cent drop in footfall in the last year to his own business, which he says is linked to the population decline and poor road links.

Drew also fears that the closure in 2023 of Amazon's operation in Gourock, and resulting job losses, was due in part to the state of the road network.

Gavin McDonagh, a former president of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, also believes daily rush hour gridlocks are deterring people from living in Inverclyde, with many choosing to buy homes in nearby towns, such as Bishopton, where motorway access is easier.

(Image: George Munro) Gavin, managing director of marina ownership firm Holt Leisure Parks, is particularly concerned by the numbers of traffic lights and recently counted 21 sets between Greenock and Port Glasgow.

He added: "The numbers of roadworks seems exceptionally high.

(Image: George Munro)

"With the issue of depopulation, we have got to make sure that Inverclyde is accessible.

"We have challenges enough with the increasing numbers of  traffic lights being put in.

"It is clear that the road structure is outdated. It wasn't built to cope with the the level of traffic it now enjoys.

"There needs to be an overview of the road structure in Inverclyde. Somebody needs to sit down and look at the whole lot, not just one wee part."

Colin Napier, service delivery director at McGill's Group, says the continuing roadworks are having an impact on their business, which is one of Inverclyde's biggest employers.

He added: "The figures obtained by the Telegraph are remarkable - but sadly, will probably come as little surprise to those who live and work around Inverclyde.

"Maintaining a good road network is crucial to the local economy.

"We recognise that roadworks will sometimes be necessary to ensure infrastructure is kept at a decent standard.

"However, the last year has been particularly bad, and this has had a huge impact on our buses being able to get through the resulting congestion. 

"All too often, it looks like a joined-up approach on where and when roadworks will take place, to ensure minimum disruption, has been sadly lacking.

 "If government and local authorities concentrated on ensuring there was a road network in place that buses could navigate easily, then it would be the single biggest measure that could attract more people to using the bus - far more important than fanciful ideas about public ownership or franchising that would come at huge cost to taxpayers."

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

However the work has been bedevilled by delays.

The Bullring roundabout will be removed as part of improvements to the Greenock road network - but work isn't due to get under way until next year. (Image: Google Street View)

The project involves the partial demolition of the Oak Mall shopping centre and the 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.

However, as the Telegraph revealed last month, work is not now due to start to early 2025, with a completion deadline of autumn 2026.

Transport Scotland acknowledged the problems being caused by roadworks in Inverclyde.

A spokesperson said: “We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

 “We’ve invested more than £2.9 million maintaining the A8 trunk road in Inverclyde since April 2023. Those works are vital in ensuring that the trunk road network remains safe and fit for purpose.

"The planning and delivery of the works are designed to minimise the disruption to the travelling public and this is done through liaison with key stakeholders.  

Inverclyde has seen more than 1,800 days of roadworks in the last 12 months. (Image: George Munro)

 “There are legal obligations on both utility firms and roads authorities to plan and undertake road works in a manner that is safe and efficient, with a specific duty to cooperate and coordinate works respectively. 

"All works must be entered in the Scottish Road Works Register, which flags potentially clashing works. 

"These are then discussed at regular coordination meetings held between roads authorities and utility firms.

"This allows the bodies involved to serve the balance between keeping homes and businesses in supply, and reducing the impact of the works themselves.”