New bridge, road and improved cycle routes to be built in Paisley

A new bridge, road, and improved cycle routes are set to be built in Paisley next month.

The major works are part of a £145m investment in new transport connections to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and a “state-of-the-art” secondary school.

Renfrewshire Council is leading the programme, which will see the creation of a new road and junction next to the site of the former Chivas building on Renfrew Road.

The council said it will significantly improve access to Shortroods, AMIDS, and Glasgow Airport from Paisley town centre, Renfrew and the M8 motorway.

The project will serve the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus and connect to a new road bridge at Paisley Harbour for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists across the White Cart River.

The new road will be a 1.7km gateway route along Abercorn Street, Harbour Road, and Inchinnan Road, linking the town centre to AMIDS and Glasgow Airport.

A new walking and cycling route called the Gallowhill Link will also be created using the former railway underpass at the retail park to safely cross Renfrew Road.

Renfrewshire Council is investing £59min new transport connections Renfrewshire Council

The council said a number of improvements to walking and cycling routes on Greenock Road between Inchinnan Business Park and AMIDS have already been completed.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said the investment is an example of the council’s “ambition”, and he said it will “transform Renfrew Road and this section of the town”.

“Communities from across the White Cart river will be more connected to the town centre, pupils will have easier access to the new school and opportunities for work, leisure and education will be more readily available for local people,” Cllr Nicolson said.

“The project will make it easier to access AMIDS which is one of the most significant developments we have ever undertaken and is already attracting high-quality jobs and world-leading industry to Renfrewshire.

The Council’s AMIDS South project has received £38.7m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the council committing a further £18.8m.

As well as infrastructure investment, AMIDS South will also generate economic benefits through local apprenticeships, graduate roles, work experience placements, subcontracting opportunities for local businesses, as well as school, college, and community group visits and public events.

Cllr Nicolson said it will provide a “significant boost to the area’s economy”.

Farrans Construction has been appointed to deliver AMIDS South, and the new road and junction are scheduled for completion by summer 2026, with the entire project due to be finished by Spring 2028.

The first set of works on Renfrew Road will begin on Monday, November 3 from just before the roundabout at the former Chivas site to the entrance of West College Scotland and will include an outside lane closure on both sides of the road.

This first phase of works will be in place for 25 weeks, as part of a 52-week programme of works on Renfrew Road.