Work on the £4 million road scheme at Inverkip is now complete. The project adds new traffic signal controls at the Main Street and Kip Marina junctions to tackle longstanding safety concerns on the trunk road, and creates a T-junction at Brueacre to provide access to the power station site earmarked for up to 650 homes and more than 500 jobs.

The programme is the third major Glasgow City Region City Deal project delivered by Inverclyde Council, supported by £3.6 million of external funding — £1.8 million each from the UK and Scottish governments — with a £570,000 contribution from the council.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration, said: "This is a transformational project delivering important road safety improvements on the busy A78 trunk road while creating the required infrastructure to pave the way for a major housing development at the former Inverkip Power Station site, which would also create hundreds of jobs.

"These improvements have been years in the planning and much talked about so to be here now marking the completion of the project is a significant moment.

"It's thanks to financial support from both the UK and Scottish governments and partnership working with our partners and contractors that we've been able to deliver these upgrades.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while these important works were carried out and for understanding the long-term aim of improving road safety and laying the foundations for further investment in Inverclyde."

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The Inverkip scheme follows two other City Deal-backed developments: the £20 million Greenock Ocean Terminal visitor centre, delivered in 2023, and £11 million of improvements at Inchgreen Marine Park, both largely funded by the Scottish and UK governments.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "The completion of this project paves the way for the transformation of the Inverkip Power Station site into a thriving coastal community, featuring hundreds of new homes.

"It is supported by our £520 million investment in the Glasgow City Region Deal.

"The Deal aims to create 29,000 jobs in the region by boosting housing, transport, business growth and innovation across Greater Glasgow and Clyde."

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "It is great news that this important road safety and regeneration project has been completed.

"Backed by £1.8 million UK Government funding - part of our £520 million commitment to the Glasgow City Region Deal - this improved road infrastructure will not only make journeys safer and smoother but also renew the economy by helping deliver hundreds of jobs and homes.

"In total, the UK Government is investing more than £2 billion in dozens of important local and regional projects in Scotland, creating opportunities the length and breadth of the country."

The junction upgrades were delivered ahead of schedule. Trunk road operator Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, also undertook phased resurfacing to further enhance the route for road users. Construction began at the end of March 2025 and was carried out by main contractor Balfour Beatty.

Stephen Hardie, portfolio director for Balfour Beatty, said:

"This project has demonstrated the real impact that well-planned infrastructure can have for local communities, helping to unlock a major regeneration opportunity for Inverkip.

"Our teams have worked diligently to deliver the scheme efficiently and safely, and we are proud to have contributed to a project that will bring lasting economic and social benefits to the area."

The road improvements aim to enable redevelopment of the former power station site, with potential to deliver:

- 650 residential properties

- 400 construction jobs and 120 follow-on roles

- £28 million construction gross value added (GVA)

- £4 million annual ongoing operational GVA for Inverclyde and £6 million for the wider city region

Inverkip is a regional regeneration priority focused on bringing vacant and derelict land back into use, opening a significant opportunity site, meeting housing need to support population growth, and securing economic and environmental gains.