Here's the Renfrewshire active travel routes getting funding

Four projects will receive investment totalling £2,067,000 from the Active Travel Transformation Fund 2023-24, which aims to create high-quality active travel infrastructure that will support people to make the switch to more sustainable transport methods and reduce emissions.

The Paisley to Renfrew active travel route has received funding to support its completion as it creates a direct active travel link between the two towns for the first time in decades, and a significant amount of work has already been carried out on the 5km route connecting Paisley Gilmour Street to the Renfrew Ferry via the former railway line.

Clearance works underway at Renfrew to Paisley cycle route (Image: Renfrewshire Council)

Another project provisionally awarded funding is the Gallowhill Link, which will see an underpass created using the disused railway line to provide a safe crossing of Renfrew Road.

It will connect Gallowhill Road into the Paisley to Renfrew route and is part of a series of transport improvements connecting communities and bolstering business growth between Paisley town centre and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

Communities in Bishopton and Erskine will benefit from enhanced active travel infrastructure as a shared walking and cycle route from Inchinnan Drive, along Barnsford Road to the St James Interchange, will connect the communities of Bishopton and Erskine to the key employment sites of Inchinnan Business Park, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport.

In addition, the Hawkhead Road Estate to Seedhill Road active travel link will create a shared cycle and pedestrian path that will link the housing development with Hawkhead Train Station and the local primary and secondary schools.

Councillor Michelle Campbell (Image: Renfrewshire Council)

Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board, said: "This is a fantastic amount of money coming into Renfrewshire to improve our active travel routes across the area as we continue to provide safe, accessible ways for people to walk, run, wheel or cycle, and encourage more people to consider leaving the car for their journey. The environmental and health benefits both physically and mentally are significant.

"The Paisley to Renfrew route will connect the two towns in this way for the first time in decades and the disused railway line being brought back into use to link the route to Gallowhill is a great addition to the overall impact it will have.

"Being from the area, I know how big a difference the shared route from the Inchinnan Drive roundabout to the Airport will make and the new route at Hawkhead will be of huge benefit to residents in the area."

Significant works have already taken place on the Paisley to Renfrew cycle route and work is aimed for completion in early 2024. Hawkhead is aimed for completion by the end of 2023 and the works on the Inchinnan, Hawkhead and Gallowhill projects are due to begin in early 2024.