THE new replica of the Port Glasgow-built Comet paddle-steamer is due to be delivered and installed next week.
Inverclyde Council has been working with Port Glasgow Town Centre Regeneration Forum (PGTCR) on the £545,000 project to commemorate Sir Henry Bell’s paddle steamer which became the first commercially successful passenger steamboat in Europe when it entered service in 1812.
Specialist contractor Aivaf, based in Sheffield, has created the replica which will be put in place between Tuesday and Friday (26 to 29 May). Comet Road, the link road between the Comet Roundabout and Shore Street, will be closed during the work.
The previous Comet replica was built in the 1960s but was dismantled in 2023 after it was deemed beyond repair.
The previous replica following restoration in 2011