Renfrewshire Council’s AMIDS South project has received £38.7million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the Council committing a further £18.8million, to create a new road bridge across Paisley Harbour, a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river and a network of roads, cycling and walking links from the town centre train station and bus interchange to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan.

In addition, a new road from Renfrew Road to the bridge crossing will be created which will connect into the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus, as will a dedicated walking and cycling routes.

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Economic projections have estimated the project could boost the local economy by an additional £136million in private sector investment and cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes, while creating new job opportunities and helping existing and new companies to grow and expand.

A safe access route from Gallowhill using the underpass on the former railway line will be constructed using £1.5million provided by Transport Scotland.

Councillors Janis McDonald and Ben Smith talked up the importance of the investment.

McDonald said: “It is an important, practical step towards the realisation of longstanding plans to improve the local infrastructure, particularly around the airport area.

“Many local people were starting to believe that the plans would never materialise.

“Thankfully, the Labour government has recognised it is critical to the area.

“the funding package will immediately bring a wide range of construction jobs, training and retraining opportunities, including apprenticeships, skilled and semi-skilled professions that can help people improve their rearing potential.

“More importantly, the actual changes will help families and communities be better connected with each other, wider Renfrewshire, Scotland and internationally as the airport maximises development opportunities.

“We would want to see improvements to bus, rail and airport and public transport links developed to ensure the potential is supported.

“The airport carries a significant tonnage of cargo, as well as passengers so that will help manufacturing surge too.”