Proposed transport connections that will see a new road bridge over the Whitecart river and a riverside route from Abercorn Street to Inchinnan Road have been approved by councillors.
Renfrewshire Council’s planning and climate change board gave the green light to a series of new routes and links between Paisley town centre and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) on Tuesday.
Located next to Glasgow airport, the AMIDS is Scotland’s home for manufacturing innovation. The links feature options for driving, cycling and walking.
They include:
- A 1.7 kilometre riverside route from Abercorn Street to Inchinnan Road
- A road bridge at the former Paisley harbour
- An east-west road from Renfrew Road to the bridge crossing
- Dedicated walking and cycling along all new routes
- An underpass for walking and cycling at Renfrew Road into Gallowhill
The works are being made possible thanks to a £38.7 million grant made available by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
A survey ahead of the planning application saw 90 per cent of the 250 people responding say they’d use the riverside route and 86 per cent confirming they’d be more likely to walk or cycle in the area following the infrastructure improvements.
Business case projections for the initiative found the completed infrastructure could attract an additional £136m into the local economy and cut carbon emissions by more than 4,200 tonnes.
Councillor Andy Steel, convener of Renfrewshire’s economy and regeneration policy board, said: “Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS is really taking shape and it’s crucial as many people as possible can access the jobs and opportunities it is bringing.
“This project will connect communities either side of the river to their employment and education and enable business growth by improving access for customers and suppliers.
“As well as the economic boost, it will bring environmental enhancements by reducing congestion, making improvements along the river and by offering new walking and cycling options.
“This will all help to cut carbon emissions and support Renfrewshire’s net zero targets.”
Improving walking and cycling routes is a key component of the project, with the underpass beneath Renfrew Road to Gallowhill Road enhancing connections from the east of the town into West College Scotland and the new Paisley Grammar School community campus which is due to be built by 2026.
The Levelling Up funding has also enabled better connections at AMIDS, with works on Greenock Road in Inchinnan nearing completion, providing improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.
UK Government minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “It is great to see this improved transport connection project given the green light to help regenerate Renfrewshire through enhanced eco-friendly travel links.
“This will not just provide the community with better access to jobs and grow the local economy, but also cut carbon emissions and improve wellbeing through more walking and cycling options.”
The project team is aiming to appoint a contractor later this year to complete the new transport connections, which are expected to be in place in 2025.
Detailed designs will be shared with businesses, residents and communities along the routes over the coming months.
Visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/transport-links-amids-south-paisley for more details on the scheme.
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