Controversial plans for changes to key junctions shelved by Renfrewshire Council

Controversial plans to make changes at two key junctions in Paisley town centre have been shelved by Renfrewshire Council.

The local authority suggested ‘improvements’ at Glasgow Road, Mill Street, Gauze Street and Incle Street and Gauze Street, Cotton Street and Lawn Street last year.

But it has now confirmed it is “not progressing” the proposals – which were slammed as “badly thought out” by Councillor Kenny MacLaren – because of a lack of funding.

Suggestions for the first junction included the addition of a dedicated bus and taxi lane on Glasgow Road, the slip road from Incle Street on to Glasgow Road being replaced by a left-turn at the junction, and the slip road from Glasgow Road on to Mill Street being removed, with no left-turn on to Mill Street.

For the second junction, it was proposed a roundabout replace the current junction, with signal-controlled crossing remaining for pedestrians, and Cotton Street be altered to one road, supporting two-way traffic.

Councillor MacLaren, an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, said: “This was a badly thought out plan, which none of the Paisley SNP councillors I spoke to had any time for – especially when we found out it was to cost £1 million.

“There were claims that local businesses were involved in the early planning which resulted in these plans coming forward, but I heard that local businesses were given a very vague idea of the plans, which included absolutely no drawings of the proposals, so it’s difficult to see how they were in support of this.

“No wonder it’s now claimed that local stakeholders including businesses did not support the final plans.”

Abbey Place Owners Association, which voiced its opposition to the ideas in December – particularly those that would have affected the adjoining Cotton Street – has welcomed the decision.

John Stewart, the group’s depute chair, said: “We are glad that the proposals are not going forward and happy with the current arrangements as they stand.”

According to the local authority, initial plans and drawings were developed and shared with businesses and organisations around the junctions in September and feedback shaped the designs taken forward for wider engagement.

A council spokesperson said: “Due to bus partnership funding not being available to councils in the forthcoming financial year, we are not progressing the planned improvements at two Paisley town centre junctions which were developed to support quicker, more reliable bus journeys.

“Once this is reported to members of the infrastructure, land and environment policy board we will be notifying all stakeholders we engaged with of this outcome and continue to liaise with SPT and bus operators on measures which support improved use of public transport.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback and share their views.

“Our transport team is considering the specific feedback in detail in case there are any future improvements which can be brought forward for detailed consideration and engagement as part of our wider strategic transport and travel planning.”

The decision doesn’t impact work to upgrade the traffic signals introducing bus prioritisation technology on Glasgow Road at the junctions with Lacy Street, Penilee Road and Hawkhead Road.