£59million project will create new road bridge and riverside route to connect Paisley with AMIDS and Glasgow Airport

Work is set to begin on a £59million transport project that will connect Paisley town centre with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport.

Renfrewshire Council’s AMIDS South project has secured £38.7million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the Council committing a further £18.8million. The investment will deliver 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’s train station and bus interchange to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan.

A new road from Renfrew Road to the bridge crossing will also be built, linking into the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. Dedicated walking and cycling routes will be included, alongside a safe access route from Gallowhill via the former railway line underpass, funded with £1.5million from Transport Scotland.

Economic forecasts suggest the project could attract up to £136million in private sector investment, cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes, create jobs, and support the growth of existing and new businesses.

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 a significant boost to the area’s economy. It is important that we provide the right access to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation.

“This project will not only better connect communities to education and employment opportunities, but it will also 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 is further proof of the Council’s ability to successfully deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects that bring benefits now and for generations to come.”

The new infrastructure will complement the recently constructed Renfrew Bridge, which was part-funded by the UK Government and links Renfrew with Clydebank, Yoker and the wider Glasgow City Region.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “Backed by over £38million in Government funding, this flagship project will deliver a major boost for Paisley and for Scotland as a whole.

“It’s exactly the kind of investment behind last month’s announcement of nearly £340million from our Levelling Up Fund to communities across the UK. The new bridge will provide safer, better-connected transport links for local people, businesses and schools, while driving economic growth and creating thousands of new jobs – a key part of our Plan for Change.”

Farrans Construction has been appointed to deliver the project, with construction planning underway. The full project is expected to be completed and open in 2028.

Patrick Murray, Scotland’s Regional Director for Farrans, said: “AMIDS South is a project that will deliver major economic and connectivity benefits for Paisley and wider Renfrewshire, and we are looking forward to getting work started on site.

“Our experienced team recently completed the highly successful Govan to Partick Bridge in Glasgow and we have a long history of transport projects in Scotland, including the Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven in joint venture as SFN, the M80 Stepps to Haggs, and the A737 Dalry Bypass in Ayrshire. We are working through the final stages of preparation with Renfrewshire Council and will soon be engaging with local stakeholders on the ground.”

AMIDS South is the latest step in the Council’s capital investment programme, which has already delivered the award-winning refurbishment of Paisley Town Hall, the renovation of Paisley Arts Centre, and the creation of the Learning and Cultural Hub on the High Street. The transformation of Paisley Museum is also nearing completion, placing culture at the heart of the area’s ambitions.

The Council has also recently made its largest-ever long-term investments in Renfrewshire’s roads, pathways, and schools, with a ten-year £90million programme for roads and up to £170million allocated for future education investment.

For more information on the AMIDS South project, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/AMIDS-South.

Photo: AMIDS South – aerial view
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council

Photo: Harbour Road visualisation
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council

Photo: East-West link route from Renfrew Road to road bridge visualisation
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council

Photo: Abercorn Street visualisation
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council

Photo: AMIDS South bridge crossing visualisation
Photo Credit: Issued by Renfrewshire Council