Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 28 January 2021 15:30
Plans to create a new walking and cycling route between Renfrew and Paisley have taken a huge step forward after it secured almost £1million in Scottish Government Funding.
The Renfrewshire Active Travel Route has been awarded £935,000 as one of 12 projects to receive funding from the Scottish Government’s Clyde Mission Fund.
Running parallel to the White Cart, the 5km route begins on the banks of the River Clyde in Renfrew and links into existing active travel routes providing access to local businesses, parks and community facilities, before finishing at Paisley Gilmour Street train station.
It will provide a safe cycling and walking route between the two town centres for the first time in decades and will provide direct access to Westway Business Park, West College Scotland and the former Chivas site - the proposed location of the new Paisley Grammar community campus.
It will also connect to walking and cycling routes at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), at Glasgow Airport and at the new Wright Street bridge.
The route design was developed following consultation over a number of years with the public, local employers and community partners and is a main priority of the Renfrewshire Cycling Strategy 2016-2025.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Creating safe, accessible walking and cycling routes is a key priority for the Council and this route will not only link two of our largest town centres together, it will improve access to key sites across Renfrewshire including AMIDS, West College Scotland and Glasgow Airport.
“As we continue to develop Renfrewshire as an attractive place to live, work and visit, improving active travel routes for commuting and leisure will only further enhance the area’s reputation and encourage businesses and employees alike to locate to Renfrewshire in the future.”
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “The scenic route will encourage people to walk, wheel or cycle wherever possible which ties in with our aim to support healthy, active lifestyles for residents and visitors to Renfrewshire.
“I know first-hand that this is already a popular route for local people and it’s adaptation into a permanent walking and cycle route will be a fantastic addition to the area. I look forward to it being developed in 2021.”
Formalised in the Programme for Government set out by the Scottish Government in September 2020, the Clyde Mission Fund offers £11.2million to local authorities in the Clyde Corridor to put the river at the heart of the area’s place ambitions.
Successful projects have to contribute to inclusive economic growth, reduce carbon emissions or improve the environment, involve partners and communities in the project and show a real benefit to the local community.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said: “The Renfrewshire Active Travel Route, led by Renfrewshire Council, is one of 12 projects receiving over £11 million of support from the Clyde Mission Fund, creating hundreds of jobs, benefiting places and communities and supporting Scotland’s environmental ambitions.
“Working with the public and private sectors, the Clyde Mission is driving forward a national, place-based, mission to make the Clyde an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth for the city, the region and Scotland.
“This is an opportunity to not only put the Clyde back at the centre of our economy and communities, but also at the heart of our plans for a net zero future.”
The results of a tender process for the works will be presented to the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Board in March 2021 with the route aimed to be completed by the end of 2021.
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.
READ MOREAcclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!
READ MORETreasure Trove Scotland are inviting members of the public to bring their finds to be assessed as part of a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORERenfrew's Robertson Park will host Scotland's top piping talent once again as the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition returns to the town on Saturday 19th July.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREThousands of people across Renfrewshire have benefitted from Winter Connections running for a third year.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREA magnificent collection of artworks has been donated to Renfrewshire's civic collection by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, in memory of her late husband, John Shaw.
READ MOREThe new free summer activities programme for Renfrewshire children, young people and families is now available.
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREThousands turned out to enjoy a day of fantastic live entertainment at Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations on Saturday!
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREComedian, actor, singer and presenter is latest big name to announce date at venue.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREAhoy there mateys! The Pirates of Paisley is this year's must visit FREE summer brick adventure!
READ MOREMuch loved reading programme, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Renfrewshire, celebrated becoming permanent with bell chimes.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MOREThousands turned out to celebrate summer at Barshaw Park on Saturday for Barshaw Gala Day.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MOREFancy grabbing a free reusable takeaway cup and then getting a discount on your next drink from some of our local cafes?
READ MORETwo major community sports projects in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a significant funding boost.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORECheck out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MOREPupils from Auchenlodment Primary School in Johnstone gave their refurbished play park a big thumbs up after it underwent a major upgrade earlier this year.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MOREAfter their first event in March, Clash of the Clans, Clan Wrestling makes its return to Braehead Arena on Saturday 6th September for its second event!
READ MOREThe Armed Forces Day flag will be raised outside Renfrewshire House on Friday in a short service to mark Armed Forces Day.
READ MORECouncillors have agreed a £350,000 contract to carry out repairs to the historic Kilbarchan Steeple Buildings.
READ MORE