Renfrewshire Council is set to receive £272,000 from the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Improvement Fund as part of a national effort to reduce road casualties.

A total of £10m will be allocated through the fund, split amongst Scotland’s 32 local authorities, with the aim of “lowering risks and reducing casualties on local roads.”

An additional £4 million will fund initiatives to protect pedestrians and cyclists across Scotland through the roll out of 20mph speed limits. A 20mph Implementation Guide has been made available to local authorities.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:

“Road safety is a top priority for the Scottish Government, which is why we are making a record investment of £36 million this financial year toward initiatives that reduce road casualties.

“This £14 million investment underlines our commitment to helping our road safety partners implement schemes that protect the public. I’m pleased to see all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities receive this support as we work toward our ambitious safety goals.

“The release of our 20mph Implementation Guide will help local authorities introduce lower speed limits consistently across Scotland, creating safer streets for everyone.

“Our goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030 is unwavering. I am resolute in my determination to save lives and ensure a safer Scotland for all.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said:

“We are committed to improving road safety in Renfrewshire by tackling issues such as speeding, and by encouraging good road user behaviour for the benefit of all our residents - in line with our road safety policy and accident investigation and prevention programme.

“The money allocated by the Road Safety Improvement Fund will be targeted in places where, for example, there is a greater history of speed-related incidents resulting in personal injury or severity of collisions.

"A number of places in Renfrewshire will benefit from the funding including areas in Gallowhill and Erskine. The proposed measures delivered as part of the programme could include junction realignment, anti-skid surface treatment, additional road signage and physical traffic calming.

“The work that will be delivered through this funding, alongside our wider road safety and infrastructure programmes, will help to improve road safety in Renfrewshire.”

There have been a number of road related incidents in Renfrewshire in recent months, including the tragic death of Stephen Craig, 50, who died on September 18 after being hit by a car on Hawkhead Road in Paisley.