Work to begin on bridge connecting Paisley with Glasgow Airport

Work is set to begin on a road bridge connecting Paisley with Glasgow Airport as part of a £59m transport project.

The transport project will create the link across Paisley Harbour, a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river and a network of roads, cycling and walking links from the town centre train station and bus interchange to Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan.

A new road from Renfrew Road to the bridge crossing will be created, connecting into the new Paisley Grammar School community campus, alongside dedicated walking and cycling routes.

A safe access route from Garrowhill using the underpass on the former railway line will be constructed using £1.5m provided by Transport Scotland.

It is estimated that the project could boost the local economy by an additional £136m in private sector investment and cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes.

East-West link route from Renfrew Road to road bridge visualisation Renfrewshire Council

Farrans Construction have been appointed to deliver the project with construction planning under way, with the full project expected to be complete and open by 2028.

Renfrewshire 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.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “AMIDS is one of the most significant developments in Renfrewshire’s recent history as it will bring high-quality jobs, world-leading industry and provide a significant boost to the area’s economy so it is important that we provide the appropriate access to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation.

Harbour Road visualisation Renfrewshire Council

“This project will not only provide infrastructure to better connect communities to education and employment opportunities, but it will also significantly improve the offer to organisations looking to locate here with enhanced access to the airport and the fourth-busiest train station in Scotland.

“This will be another flagship project for Renfrewshire following the completion of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which included the new Renfrew Bridge, and will be further proof of the Council’s ability to successfully deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects which bring substantial benefits now and for generations to come.”