Driven to despair over ‘missing’ roads as Renfrewshire Council announce repair plans

Almost 255,000 square metres of road are set be repaired, with more than 34,000 square meters of footway work also included on the schedule.

But many residents and community leaders have insisted there are roads which are consistently being missed from the list, with some saying certain areas are being “short-changed” by Renfrewshire Council.

READ MORE: Johnstone pub boss toasts success of Renfrewshire Council’s scheme

In Johnstone, the roads included in the programme are Quarry Street, Bankside Avenue, Cochranemill Road, Craigview Avenue, Quarrelton Road and a section of Beith Road.

But some residents have pointed out that John Lang Street – just round the corner from Bankside Avenue and a popular spot for train commuters to park – is missing from the list, despite being covered in cracks and potholes.

Many feel Johnstone has been 'short changed' by the repairs. This map shows which roads are to be repaired.

Meanwhile, villagers in nearby Kilbarchan, where five roads will be getting revamped, are angry that crater-covered Fulton Crescent is not in the schedule.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, agrees there are problems with the programme.

He told The Gazette: “It seems that the council does not have the resources to do all the work they want to. I do not think they have enough staff.

“When repairs are done, I do not think they have enough inspectors to check they are of a high standard.

“I have had complaints from my constituents about repairs which have clearly been sub-standard.

“They [the council] need to have a more systematic approach to make sure roads are not getting missed out.

“Fulton Crescent is an example of a road which needs a lot of attention.

“ I do think the materials being used need to be looked at as well, as I’m fairly sure the council still uses tarmacadam, which has been used for the past 50 years. Lots of councils are now looking at a plastic infill.

Cllr Derek Bibby (pictured in Johnstone) feels the villages have been ignored

“I just think more roads need attention than the council has resources.”

Every area of Renfrewshire is having at least some roads repaired, apart from Houston, which does not have any work scheduled.

Roads in Kilbarchan which are on the list include New Street, Wheatlands Drive, Church Street, Glentyan Avenue and Kibbleston Road.

In Howwood, Hill Road/Semple View and Midton Road will have some repairs done, while Calder Drive, Braehead Avenue and Calderpark Street in Lochwinnoch are also on the list.

Fulton Crescent, in Kilbarchan, is not included on the repairs schedule

Mackiesmill Road and Kings Crescent are the only two roads in Elderslie to be getting work done, while there are only two roads in Bridge of Weir receiving attention, which are Warlock Road and Hazelwood Road, and two in Brookfield, The Beeches and Burnside Avenue.

In Linwood, only Barrochan Road and Kilbrennan Road will be getting work done. In Renfrew, Cockels Loan, Sandy Road and a stretch of the A8 are included.

Erskine is set for extensive work

Parts of Ferry Road, Greenock Road, Stuart Road, Teviot Drive, Ettrick Drive and Carrick Road in Bishopton will be repaired this financial year, while Old Greenock Road, Park Road, Banchory Drive, Broompark Drive and Ballater Drive will be looked at in Inchinnan.

Outside of Paisley, which will be getting the most repairs carried out, Erskine is the town receiving the most attention, with 12 roads getting fixed up, including Mains Drive, Old Greenock Road, Sempill Avenue, Garnieland Road, Kilpatrick Drive and North Barr Avenue.

Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents Johnstone North and surrounding villages, said: “Yet again, the villages have been short-changed. People will be underwhelmed.

“The budget, with its roads investment headline, claimed this would transform the lives of people in Renfrewshire. Following the publication of the programme, this statement will now be treated in equal measure with both derision and anger in the villages.

Motorists want to see large cracks in John Lang Street being repaired

“In particular, Howwood – which was the only area of Renfrewshire completely left out of last year’s programme – will get the crumbs off the table, with two roads being included for resurfacing for the coming year.

READ MORE: More than 50 footways on Renfrewshire Council’s ‘hit list’

“Lochwinnoch will see three repaired. Contrast this with Erskine, where there will be 12 roads resurfaced.

“Even Johnstone lags behind Erskine, with only six roads included.”

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