THE decision to ditch boundary change plans which would split Johnstone and the villages has been described as a "victory".

Councillor Andy Doig is celebrating after the boundaries for the next Scottish Parliamentary elections were announced.

He celebrated with his fellow councillors who he says presented a ‘united front’ to oppose local proposals.

The boundary changes by the Scottish Boundary Commission Scotland would have seen the current Johnstone North ward split, with three villages Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Howwood moving to a new Renfrewshire South.

The independent councillor spoke at a public hearing held in December last year and suggested counterproposals to keep the area together.

He said: “This is a great victory for the people of Johnstone and the villages, and it is testimony that at the hearing we fielded a united front of all the talents, Cllr Iain McMillan of Labour, Cllr Andy Steel of the SNP, and myself, who all opposed these plans.

“In addition, I made counterproposals not only to keep Johnstone together but to contend Paisley and Renfrew needed separate representation as well.

“Boundaries Scotland have listened to much of the core points of my argument, and indeed the Chair of Boundaries Scotland said in the national press that she was ‘very pleased with the quality of arguments and the varied suggestions submitted’."

Councillor Doig went on to say: "The West of Scotland proposals which were so controversial attracted more than two-thirds of the nationwide consultation.

“Essentially, Johnstone and the villages, with Linwood, Bridge of Weir and villages from the north of the county, are kept together as the new Renfrewshire West seat.

“Paisley remains much as it is, and the new Erskine and Cardonald seat keeps Renfrew, Erskine, and Inchinnan together while adding in Cardonald, which I argued fitted in better with us than with Glasgow."