Inverclyde Council has announced the second phase of planned works on Chapelton Bridge will begin on Monday, 01 April.

The Bridge will be closed until 31 May to allow the bridge to be widened as part of a £650,000 scheme to improve road safety and cut congestion.

The work initially started on 11 February, but was briefly suspended due to a delay in the delivery of the pre-stressed, pre-cast concrete beams which will form the bridge deck.

The project is designed to remove a major bottleneck at Glen Avenue, Port Glasgow.

In November 2018 Inverclyde Council started work to improve road safety and cut congestion by widening the single-lane Chapelton Bridge.

The first phase involved diverting the water, gas and electricity utilities that ran under the bridge. This was finished in December 2018.

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The second phase of the project involves widening the bridge deck itself. The work is expected to be finished on 31 May 2019 and the bridge will remain closed while it is being done.

Chapelton Bridge is the main pedestrian route for pupils going to and from St John's Primary and is also an important bus route.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's Environment & Regeneration Convener, said: "When all the work is finished the bridge will have two wider pavements for pedestrians and will be able to accommodate two lanes of traffic.

"In its current form the bridge is a serious bottleneck if there are any problems on the nearby A8 trunk road network.  Widening it will make it a viable alternative route if the trunk road is closed for essential works or in an emergency.

"We appreciate the patience shown by the local community in the face of the ongoing disruption and the fact that they recognise the long term benefits from widening the Chapelton Bridge. The work has been progressing well and we will re-open the bridge as soon it is complete."

The project is being funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

Councillor David Wilson, SPT Vice-Chair, added: "SPT is proud to be supporting the economic regeneration of Port Glasgow. The widening of Chapelton Bridge is an excellent investment, improving road safety in the area and helping to cut congestion while also making it easier for the travelling public and for the local community."