Bakers Street reopens after £3million realignment scheme
Work to realign Bakers Street (known locally as Bakers Brae) in Greenock is now complete and the road has re-opened to traffic.
The work is part of a £3million scheme to improve road safety and promote industrial regeneration in the area. It involved realigning Bakers Street between Ingleston Street and Drumfrochar Road to remove a dangerous bend. Buildings at the east end of Drumfrochar Road were also demolished to make way for the new stretch of road.
The traffic lights at the junction of Baker Street and Ingleston Street, have also been improved with revised signal timings. Kerbs have been lowered and a major programme of tree planting and landscaping is underway.
The work will improve sightlines for drivers and make it safer and easier for pedestrians to move around the area.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Convener of Inverclyde Council’s Environment & Regeneration Committee, said, “This work will improve traffic flows in and around the area and improve road safety. Previously lorries had to cut across the carriageway to negotiate the bend in the road.
“Bakers Brae is an important route into Greenock. The poor road layout, combined with vacant and derelict buildings lining the road, gave a poor impression of the area and stifled local investment and economic activity.
“This major investment will really enhance the entire area by improving access for commercial vehicles, improving safety for drivers and pedestrians and creating a green buffer through the tree planting programme.
“We very much appreciate the patience that drivers and local residents have shown while work has been underway on this important project and it’s wonderful that they will now start to see the benefits.”
The £3 million scheme was funded by Inverclyde Council with a £300,000 contribution from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).