City Deal
Two Inverclyde-based projects as part of the £1bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal scheme have received official approval.
For, strategic business cases for a project to improve the A78 at Inverkip and another to expand Greenock Ocean Terminal have been approved by leaders operating the City Deal across eight Scottish councils.
The Inverkip project will open up the former power station site for housing. The business case, presented to the board, was agreed and unlocks funding to develop the design phase of the project.
The business case, developed by partners Inverclyde Council and Scottish Power, highlights that the project addresses the restricted network and junction capacity on the A78 trunk road at four locations in and around Inverkip.
It will release investment and help secure the development for the brownfield former power station site to deliver 600 new homes and 6,000sqm of commercial space.
The Inverkip infrastructure project also aims deliver access and safety improvements in Wemyss Bay and Inverkip.
The second project, at Greenock Ocean Terminal, also received approval from the City Deal board. The project, delivered in partnership between Inverclyde Council and Peel Ports, aims to increase the quayside to further cement Inverclyde as the cruise liner capital of Scotland.
Expansion of the cruise ship business, which reached the 100,000 cruise passenger mark this year, is limited by the existing quayside at Greenock’s Ocean Terminal.
Now, as part of the City Deal, Inverclyde Council and Peel Ports, owners of the terminal, have set out the business case for expansion to secure future cruise liners into Scotland and deliver a new visitor facility.
Speaking after the approval from City Deal board, Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “This is a significant milestone in the delivery of two key strategic projects for Inverclyde.
“With the support of seven other Scottish Councils and both the Scottish and UK Governments, Inverclyde is making sure we are getting benefit for our local area while playing a key part in delivering investment and improvements which benefit the west and the rest of Scotland.
“The site at Inverkip is a major project for the town, but also for Inverclyde and for the west of Scotland. It takes a former brownfield site and opens it up to development, while providing much needed access and safety improvements for our local communities in Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.
“Greenock’s Ocean Terminal project and making sure that Inverclyde continues to be the cruise liner capital of Scotland has local and Scotland wide benefits. We are seeing more and bigger vessels visiting our area. That’s good for the local economy when our local businesses identify and pursue creative opportunities to capitalise on the increases in passengers and crew visiting our area. Crucially, we are a fantastic gateway to Scotland for thousands of people every year, who continue to value and recognise the welcome offered by our area. The expansion plans will further cement that reputation for Greenock, for Inverclyde and for Scotland.”
Andrew Hemphill, Port Director Peel Ports Clydeport added “Peel Ports are delighted with the growth in the cruise market and the potential it delivers for Inverclyde and Scotland also.
"Once the full details of the City Deal have been fully developed and approved, the funding will allow us to investigate the potential as we develop the detailed design phase of the project. We look forward to growing the cruise market and making Inverclyde the cruise liner capital of Scotland."
Approval was also given for a full business case for a £5.2m project by Glasgow City Council aimed at supporting growing businesses in the Clyde Valley and an outline business case for Cathkin Relief Road developed by South Lanarkshire Council.
The City Deal will bring tens of thousands of jobs to Glasgow and the Clyde Valley over the next few decades through 20 major infrastructure projects; drive innovation and growth through the support of key sectors such as life sciences; and address challenges in the region’s labour market.
Both the UK and Scottish Governments are giving Glasgow and Clyde Valley local authorities £500million each in grant funding for the City Deal, and the councils will borrow a further £130million to use for capital investment.
The City Deal is expected to give Glasgow and Clyde Valley a permanent uplift in its GVA of £2.2billion per annum (4.4%); generate 15,000 construction jobs during the construction period and 28,000 permanent additional jobs once construction is complete; and will unlock £3.3billion of private sector investment.
In addition to Inverclyde Council, the local authorities participating in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal are: East Dunbartonshire Council; East Renfrewshire Council; Glasgow City Council; North Lanarkshire Council; Renfrewshire Council; South Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council.