A project to improve transport links between Paisley town centre and Scotland’s manufacturing innovation district has received a £38.7 million funding boost.
The Renfrewshire Council project, which includes a 1.7km ‘gateway route’ along the White Cart River, has been backed via the UK Government’s levelling up fund.
The £38.7 million sum is the third highest award of all UK-wide projects being supported in the first round of the fund.
The local authority said that the backing will provide ‘around’ 90% of the funding for the project to develop a network of road, cycling and walking links from the town centre train station to Glasgow Airport, AMIDS and onto Inchinnan.
It added that it will also strengthen the links to the ‘significant’ investment underway in the town centre cultural venues, which includes a £42 million transformation of Paisley Museum and £22 million refurbishment of its A-listed Town Hall.
Renfrewshire Council leader, Iain Nicolson, said, “Development of Scotland’s manufacturing innovation district AMIDS is a huge coup for Renfrewshire, attracting many new jobs and opportunities and it’s vital that we ensure the infrastructure is in place which enables residents in the surrounding areas to be able to access these jobs.
“This project does just that, better connecting communities to education and employment, enabling economic growth, helping to cut congestion and supporting our commitment for Renfrewshire to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“Clearly, our bid to the levelling up fund put forward a compelling case, backed by business, enterprise and education leaders from across Renfrewshire and I’m pleased that we can now progress it and ensure it delivers for our communities.”
