GOUROCK candidate Chris McEleny has pledged that a new town bus service will be introduced if he is successfully re-elected in tomorrow’s by-election. 

Mr McEleny previously served as an Inverclyde councillor for a decade, during which time he says he built up a strong working relationship with many of the area’s businesses, including McGill’s Buses. 

The Alba Party candidate says that after recent productive discussions with McGill’s, the locally based bus provider has indicated a willingness to introduce a new Gourock 'town hopper' service.

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The promise of a new service follows the axing of the 540 bus service last year, which ran from Clynder Road in Greenock's east end down to Gourock railway station and connected the upper part of Gourock to its town centre.

Chris McEleny with McGill's Group CEO Tony Williamson. (Image: George Munro)

Mr McEleny has vowed to push for improved traffic management in Gourock if he’s elected when the votes are counted on Friday, and says that McGill’s will implement the new service if his push is successful.

The new bus would serve McInroy's Point, Kempock Street, The Pierhead, Shore Street, Midton and Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Mr McEleny has welcomed the commitment from McGill’s, saying: “Firstly, I would like to thank McGill’s for listening to the proposals I brought to them in behalf of the people of Gourock.

“The decision to create this new bus service is only possible thanks to their commitment to Gourock and their investment in our town. 

“Over the years McGill’s have invested substantially in new buses but Inverclyde Council hasn’t stepped up to the plate to make the improvements required to traffic management to make them viable. 

“I am delighted that if I am re-elected tomorrow, thanks to working closely with McGill’s, I will be able to press on immediately to deliver a vital bus service for Gourock.”

Tony Williamson, chief executive of the McGill's Group, said: “McGill's made many representations to Inverclyde Council over the years to try and manage traffic and parking in Gourock but there has been no action by the council to alleviate the congestion, which gets worse every year.

“The key problem here is the residents of upper Gourock, who don't have access to a car and are unable to easily access the town centre or the hospital.

“Councillor candidate Chris McEleny has worked closely with McGill's on this issue and has promised to push for improved traffic management in Gourock should he be elected as councillor.

“On that basis, McGill's would be willing to commit to introducing a Gourock town hopper service.” 

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We are always looking at ways to improve connectivity right across Inverclyde to help make the area an even better place to live, work, visit and do business and to make it easier for people to access public transport in keeping with our own environmental ambitions so we welcome feedback as to areas where there are issues and how improvements could be made.

“Indeed, we have had meetings with representatives from McGill’s to get a better understanding of issues they face and how we can work collaboratively to further enhance local transport links, and whilst we have not facilitated any changes so far in Gourock we have worked with them addressing concerns in Inverkip.

“We recognise McGill’s as a key public transport partner, not to mention one of the area’s largest private sector employers, and are open to any sensible suggestions as to what improvements could be considered within the constraints of available funding and resources.

“In the meantime, we are progressing a number of projects across Inverclyde, including in Gourock with the ongoing development of design proposals for a one-way system for Kirn Drive in response to feedback from residents.”