Work underway to connect Howwood to Paisley via new cycle route

Work is now underway on a new cycle route from Howwood to Paisley as part of drive to enhance active travel opportunities in Renfrewshire.

Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 17 June 2021 13:37

The new 35-minute, 10km cycle will connect the village of Howwood and Paisley town centre, via Spateston, Johnstone and Elderslie, and will provide a safe route for cyclists travelling between the communities.

Using feedback from initial engagement with residents, businesses, community groups and elected members, the final route will maintain both existing westbound lanes on Main Road, Elderslie (left and straight on) at Glenpatrick Road and there will be no change to Main Road, near Elderslie Post Office, to ensure that parking is maintained.

Starting on Midton Road, Howwood, close to the junction with Bowfield Road, cyclists travel along a scenic stretch with painted bicycle markings on the road, passing Howwood Park and St Anthony's Primary School and connecting onto Beith Road via Linnet Avenue, Martlet Drive and Hallhill Road.

On Beith Road, the route is initially a shared path signposted for cyclists and pedestrians before becoming a two-way cycle track near Cochrane Castle Primary School, the route segregated from road traffic with bollards.

Cyclists travelling toward Paisley will use Overton Road and then a crossing on Thornhill before continuing on Main Road. Cyclists travelling in the opposite direction toward Howwood will use a shared path and then onto Broom Terrace for a length before moving back to Beith Road via a path link.

The cycle route continues past Johnstone Train Station and onto Main Road, Elderslie, becoming segregated cycle lanes on both sides of the road between Beith Road and Glenpatrick Road. It then connects onto National Cycle Route 7 via a new zebra crossing just before Elderslie Golf Club, the route continuing to Paisley Canal train station on the existing traffic free route.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted to see work begin on the new cycle route from Howwood to Paisley.

“We’re committed to supporting local people to walk and cycle wherever possible and this new safe cycle route will connect a number of our communities and also link with the National Cycle Route 7.

“We’ve listened to feedback on the initial designs and made changes to ensure they work for everyone and I’d encourage you to continue to feed back your thoughts to us as the route is implemented.”

Work began on Monday 14 June 2021 and is expected to last around ten weeks.

The route is funded through the Scottish Government Spaces for People Fund, supported by Sustrans Scotland, which aims to create temporary cycle routes as part of the area’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

For more information on the route and to provide feedback, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/SpacesForPeopleCycleRoutes.