Active travel route Greenock harbours launch. From left, Councillor Michael McCormick, Chris Brace, from Sustrans, and Brian Lavalette, from Peel L&P, at the Cartsburn entrance at the Scotts Dry Dock.

A new coastal path through the heart of Inverclyde is providing an attractive route for people travelling on foot and on wheels.

Work recently finished on the cycle and footpath in Greenock stretching between the Beacon Arts Centre and Cartsburn, through the East India and Victoria harbours.

The new route has been delivered by Inverclyde Council with Scottish Government funding administered by Sustrans Scotland,  and support from Peel L&P, which owns part of the land the route goes through and has granted permission for its use.

Lighting is also being installed along the route thanks to funding from SPT.

The coastal path is open to people walking, wheeling, cycling and using mobility scooters.

As well as providing a scenic route for people on foot or wheels, the track also links the west and east sides of Inverclyde by becoming part of National Cycle Network Route 75 (NCN75).

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “We have some of the best views in the country so we should be showing them off and this new coastal route does exactly that while encouraging people to use alternative forms of travel, such as walking, cycling or by wheel, for the benefit of the environment and their health.

“Residents and visitors alike now have a clear and comfortable path to travel through Greenock and Inverclyde and of course we hope by having welcoming routes like this that they will also stop off and enjoy the many attractions and wonderful local businesses we have along our waterfront and in our town centres.”

Work on the new route started late last year and was recently completed.

Chris Brace, Network Delivery Manager at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased to see work complete on this important link along National Cycle Network Route 75 in Greenock, supported by funding from the Scottish Government.

“The new route consists of two segregated, traffic-free, paths for walking, wheeling and cycling between the Beacon Arts Centre and Cartsburn, as well as an improved access point at the EE Customer Contact Centre and upgraded fencing at the harbour.

“We hope the new path will be a vital amenity for the local community, making it easier and safer for everyone in Inverclyde to make healthier, happier and more sustainable choices for their everyday journeys.”

Brian Lavalette, property director for Scotland at Peel L&P, said: “Creating sustainable, accessible, and inclusive communities within unique waterfront settings is at the heart of each of our Peel Waters developments.

“This new coastal route will encourage sustainable active travel, benefiting the health and wellbeing of our local communities. We are looking forward to this new scenic route being used to connect up Greenock Harbours with other neighbourhoods which will help drive inclusive growth for local businesses, the town and the region.

“We are very pleased that this route is now open and by working in partnership with Inverclyde Council and our other partners, we have been able to create more opportunities for our local community, which celebrates a unique part of Scotland and its fantastic waterfront location.”

Work on the lighting along the new route is currently ongoing and due for completion at a later date.

SPT vice-chair and Inverclyde Councillor David Wilson said: “SPT is delighted to be supporting this active travel project as part of our capital programme.

“This investment along the national cycle route will help encourage more people to become physically active and provides a safe traffic-free environment, ideal for families and young kids.”

For more information about cycling, cycle routes and other things to do and see in Inverclyde, visit www.discoverinverclyde.com.