Council papers published ahead of a meeting this week set out an estimated £1.665 million cost to remove the controversial cycle lane on West Blackhall Street in Greenock town centre, a move being sought by some retailers who say the scheme has reduced parking and harmed footfall.
Options and timescales outlined to councillors
The high-level estimate in the report divides the sum between design and construction, with £175,000 set aside for design work and £1.485 million forecast for construction. Officers estimate the work to remove the lane would take about 18 months to complete.
As an alternative to full removal, the paper also considers installing bollards along the cycle lane to deter vehicles from parking on it. That option carries an estimated cost of around £20,000 and, according to officers, could be delivered within approximately three months.
- Estimated cost to remove cycle lane: £1.665m (design £175k; construction £1.485m).
- Bollard installation: £20k, with a much shorter delivery time.
- Removal expected to take around 18 months; bollards about three months.
Background and local reaction
The cycle lane was installed as part of a wider regeneration package for West Blackhall Street, a scheme with a total value of about £6 million. A portion of that funding came from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone active travel programme.
Since its installation, the lane has been criticised by some retailers and members of the public, who have linked reduced footfall to the loss of kerbside parking on the street. In council papers ahead of the meeting, officers note operational issues since completion.
"Since the completion of the works, vehicles have routinely parked on the cycle lane even though there are no waiting/no loading restrictions."
That passage in the report highlights that the lane has frequently been used for parking despite the restrictions, a situation officers say has prevented the lane from being used as intended and has raised enforcement challenges.
Choices for councillors and local consequences
Councillors will be asked to consider a range of measures designed to tackle parking pressures in West Blackhall Street. The options in the report include changing loading bay arrangements and on-street parking restrictions to create more spaces and increase turnover during the day.
One of the central decisions facing elected members is whether to pursue the costly course of removing the lane entirely or to adopt a lower-cost mitigation such as the bollards. The removal option would restore space currently occupied by the cycle lane to general traffic and parking, but at a substantial financial and time cost to the council and, ultimately, taxpayers.
Supporters of retention argue the lane forms part of the wider active travel ambition for the town centre, backed by external funding. Opponents, including some traders, contend that the change in street layout has made trading more difficult and that reinstating parking is necessary to support businesses.
| Option | Estimated cost | Estimated delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| Full removal of cycle lane | £1.665 million | ~18 months |
| Bollard installation | ~£20,000 | ~3 months |
Officers emphasise the figures are high-level estimates. If councillors back removal, further design work would be required to develop detailed plans and final costings. If instead a targeted intervention such as bollards is approved, it would be quicker and far cheaper to implement but may not satisfy those calling for full reinstatement of parking.
The issue goes to the heart of wider debates in Greenock about how to balance active travel ambitions, town centre regeneration objectives and the needs of local traders. Councillors are expected to discuss the report and its recommendations at their forthcoming meeting.
