Initial works begin on Monday 27 July 2026 with lane closures around the Bullring Roundabout. From Monday 3 August 2026, the A78 High Street flyover and a section of the A8 between Wallace Place and the eastern side of Dalrymple Street opposite Tesco will close.

Traffic will continue to reach the A8 and Greenock town centre in both directions via a contraflow system between Container Way and the western side of A8 Dalrymple Street, across from the Municipal Buildings.

The closures will enable demolition of the High Street flyover and the south side of the Bullring Roundabout, which will be replaced by low-level, signal-controlled junctions as part of the wider town centre redevelopment.

Temporary arrangements at the Bullring are expected to remain in place until July 2027, after which traffic management will switch to allow demolition of the roundabout's north side.

All roadworks are scheduled to finish by late 2027. Further details on the second phase will be provided closer to the time.

An alternative route will operate for the duration of the works between Ratho Street and Barr's Cottage.

The Central Greenock project is predominantly funded by the UK Government and is being delivered by Inverclyde Council with main contractor Balfour Beatty.

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The programme aims to open up the town centre, improve access for pedestrians and drivers, and remove outdated infrastructure. Earlier activity included the demolition of Hector McNeil House, with the eastern section of the Oak Mall now being taken down before the A78 flyover above the shopping centre is removed.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: "The Central Greenock project is really gathering pace and this is another significant milestone in the modernisation of the town centre and comes on the back of the recent Pride in Place Plan launch which will see a further £20m invested in Greenock over the next decade.

"We know how frustrating roadworks can be and there will inevitably be disruption during this vital phase of the project but every effort is being made to keep the disruption to an absolute minimum and, crucially, ensure Greenock Town Centre remains open for business throughout.

"It's important that people plan ahead and leave extra time for their journeys."

From Monday 27 July 2026, the Bullring Roundabout and Hunter's Place car parks will close to vehicles and pedestrians. Wallace Place, including the A8 slip road, will be shut to traffic from Monday 3 August 2026.

Pedestrian access will be maintained, including to and from Central Library, the Greenock Fire Museum and the Municipal Buildings, but there will be no onward route to Hunter's Place.

The primary pedestrian diversion will use the crossing at William Street, then Dalrymple Street and the Bullring, onto Container Way, returning via Dalrymple Street to Hunter's Place.

Residents living on or near the main diversion corridors will receive letters from next week outlining the changes.

In advance of the main phase, alterations have been made to the local road network, including realigning Ratho Street, installing a new pedestrian crossing on Dunlop Street at Notre Dame High, and adding mini-roundabouts on Dalrymple Street and Container Way on either side of Laird Street to aid traffic flow.

A further temporary mini-roundabout will be put in at the top of Sir Michael Street at the junction with Regent Street and Roxburgh Street from Monday 13 July 2026, with work expected to take one week. Temporary three-way traffic lights will operate throughout these works.