Work is set to begin on a new £59m transport project that will connect Paisley town centre with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport.
Farrans Construction have been appointed to deliver the project with construction planning under way. The full project is expected to be completed and open in 2028.
Renfrewshire Council’s AMIDS South project includes a road bridge crossing at Paisley Harbour for road traffic, pedestrians and cyclists; a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river from Paisley town centre to the manufacturing district AMIDS and Glasgow Airport; and an east-west road link from Renfrew Road joining onto the new route.
The scheme is designed to improve access to the manufacturing district and the proposed Paisley Grammar School Community Campus.
The £59m project has received £38.7m from the UK government’s levelling up fund, with the council committing a further £18.8m.
It will also connect into the Gallowhill Link, using a former railway underpass to provide a safe crossing of Renfrew Road. Transport Scotland has stumped up £1.5m for this bit.
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.
“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.”
Farrans regional director Patrick Murray said: "AMIDS South is a project which will deliver major economic and connectivity benefits for the town of Paisley and wider Renfrewshire, and we are looking forward to getting work started on site.
“Our experienced team has recently completed the highly-successful Govan to Partick Bridge in Glasgow and we have a long history of projects in the transportation sector in Scotland including Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven in joint venture as SFN, M80 Stepps to Haggs and the A737 Dalry Bypass in Ayrshire. We are working through the final stages of preparation with our client Renfrewshire Council and will be engaging on the ground with local stakeholders shortly."
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