Bridge connection is history in the making

Work is set to begin on a new bridge over the White Cart River which will connect Paisley town centre with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport.

- EDEL KENEALY

The bridge will create a road and pedestrian link across Paisley Harbour as part of a £59million transport project which will also create a network of roads, cycling and walking links from Paisley Gilmour Street train station and Paisley bus interchange to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan.

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

Farrans Construction have been appointed to deliver the project, with construction planning now underway, with the full project expected to be complete and open in 2028.

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

It's estimated up to 18,000 full-time equivalent posts could be created over the next decade as a result of what's planned.