THE build of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) is progressing well, Renfrewshire Council has said.
Wills Bros Civil Engineering is currently delivering new bridges, roads, and cycling and pedestrian routes to underpin the infrastructure at AMIDS, which the local authority said will open in May 2021.
The project comes as part of the Glasgow Airport investment area project, which is led by Renfrewshire Council and jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13 billion Glasgow city region deal.
Recent work has seen twelve beams spanning 70 metres craned into position across the White Cart river as part of a two-lane link bridge which will connect commercial traffic to the district – reducing the number of HGVs in nearby residential areas.
Junction realignment at the Black Cart river has reached phase two and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Abbotsinch Road to Greenock Road is now on site, ready for lifting into position in November, the council said.
Further to this is the mile-long realignment of Abbotsinch Road, which the local authority said is well under way – with the road being upgraded to take people through the AMIDS site.
The council also confirmed that construction is scheduled to start this Autumn on both the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said, “I am pleased to see the excellent progress being made on completing the enabling infrastructure for development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland. Manufacturing is a hugely important sector to Renfrewshire, to the city region and to Scotland. Development of the district will play a critical role in our economic recovery, creating thousands of jobs and supporting development of new clean, green ways of working.
“The district has already secured significant investment and I’m certain many more manufacturers will be attracted by the flexible development opportunities and the chance to grow their company, upskill their workforce and tap into the latest technologies at Scotland’s home for manufacturing innovation.”
Cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson, added, “I am delighted to see such significant progress in delivering this transformative project, with the partnership between private and public sector working in a positive way to unlock a development that will result in sustainable and inclusive growth for the region.
“The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow city region city deal, contributing £500 million over 20 years to the infrastructure investment fund. The investment in this project through the Deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs, and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to the Renfrewshire area.”
