Greenock business owners have warned that planned changes to parking on West Blackhall Street could deepen pressure on the town centre’s already struggling traders. Inverclyde councillors have rejected removing the controversial cycle lane, instead backing measures intended to increase parking availability, including revised loading bays, shorter stays and new spaces.
Key takeaways
- Up to £82,000 will be spent changing loading bays and creating four parking spaces.
- The maximum stay on West Blackhall Street is set to fall from two hours to one.
- Some short-stay car parks will offer three hours free, followed by a £2 charge.
- Bollards costing about £20,000 will be installed along the cycle lane.
- Traders fear the changes could make the town centre less convenient for customers.
The council says the measures could increase daily parking availability by 45 per cent and make it easier for people to visit nearby businesses. However, several traders believe the changes may fail to address the wider concerns surrounding access to the town centre.
Traders raise concerns over access
Sandra McCorkell, owner of Hearts and Stitches, said customers had told her they were avoiding Greenock because of parking difficulties. She warned that shoppers could instead choose retail parks in Port Glasgow, where parking is free, adding to the challenges facing independent businesses.
Mary Coventry of The Wee Crafty Owl said allowing vehicles to use loading bays after 10am could create complications because many businesses receive deliveries later in the day. She also believes cars using the cycle lane have eased some pressure on traders, and fears bollards will remove that flexibility.
Allan White, owner of Alchemist Coffee Bar, questioned whether a one-hour limit would achieve its intended purpose. He said some drivers might simply move or renew their parking discs, while others could decide they do not have enough time to complete their shopping or use local services.
Council backs revised parking measures
The environment and regeneration committee approved a package of changes designed to be introduced relatively quickly and within existing budgets. The proposals include permitting parking in certain loading bays after 10am, reducing the maximum stay to one hour and adding four spaces.
The committee also agreed to alter some short-stay car parks, providing three hours free before a £2 charge applies for the remainder of the day. The move is expected to reduce council income by up to £30,000.
Bollards are expected to be installed along the cycle lane within about three months to address what the council describes as inconsiderate parking. The wider package could cost up to £82,000, including around £20,000 for the bollards.
Cycle lane removal rejected
Councillors rejected a proposal to remove the cycle lane, which was installed in March 2025 as part of a town-centre regeneration project. Removing it could leave the council facing significant costs, including the possible repayment of external funding and an estimated £1.6m for redesign and construction work.
The project received more than £4m from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, alongside support from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Inverclyde Council. Councillors were told that reversing the scheme could lead to funding being reclaimed.
Campaigner Chris Jewell, whose petition opposing the lane gathered more than 1,000 signatures, criticised the decision not to treat it as relevant evidence. Councillor Graeme Brooks also expressed disappointment after an amendment calling for a report on the lane’s removal was defeated.
Further parking options under review
Inverclyde Council said the regeneration project removed around 40 spaces from West Blackhall Street, although official papers indicate that the overall number of spaces in Greenock has increased through the Jamaica Street car park and additional spaces on West Stewart Street and Laird Street.
Future reports will examine possible changes to the one-way system, the removal of resident parking from some nearby streets and additional parking options. A proposed car park on the former Babylon Nightclub site could provide 28 spaces, but is estimated to cost about £300,000.
The council’s environment and regeneration convener said the agreed measures followed concerns raised by residents, businesses and other stakeholders. Traders, however, remain concerned that changes intended to improve access could instead make the high street less attractive to visitors.
