The new road serving Paisley Grammar School Community Campus has officially been named New Grammar Road, marking the completion of the first phase of Renfrewshire Council’s major AMIDS South transport project.
New Grammar Road is accessed through a new junction with Renfrew Road and is part of a series of improvements providing safer access to the new school.
The work is the first phase of the larger £59 million AMIDS South project, which will better connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
New Grammar Road will eventually continue west to a new road bridge across the White Cart River. It will join Inchinnan Road and provide better access to the airport and AMIDS.
Paisley Grammar School Community Campus will welcome pupils for the first time on Thursday 20th August, two days later than most other Renfrewshire schools. This will give staff additional time to prepare the new campus before pupils arrive.
Councillor Iain Nicolson, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “The opening of New Grammar Road is another significant milestone, both for Paisley Grammar School Community Campus and for the wider regeneration of this part of Paisley.
“The new road does much more than provide access to a fantastic new school. It improves connections across the area, creates safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling and lays the foundations for future investment through the wider AMIDS South project.
“As we prepare to welcome pupils into their new school, it’s fitting that the road serving the campus now has a name that reflects the proud history of Paisley Grammar School while looking ahead to its future.”
The first phase of the project, being delivered by main contractor Farrans, has transformed the area surrounding the new campus.
It has delivered the section of New Grammar Road serving the school. The remainder of the road will be completed as part of the next phase of the wider AMIDS South project.
The completed section links to the wider Paisley to Renfrew active travel route, which runs behind West College Scotland and connects to the new Gallowhill Link. This provides a safe route under Renfrew Road for pupils travelling to the school.
The council has also delivered improvements along Renfrew Road, including upgraded pedestrian crossings, widened footways, relocated bus stops and road signs, resurfaced roads and pavements, and new pedestrian safety measures.
AMIDS South has been funded through an investment of £18.8 million from Renfrewshire Council and £38.7 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Construction will continue around Abercorn Street and Harbour Road over the coming months as work progresses towards the new bridge.
The next phase will focus on completing the road layout and connections in the area.
Temporary waiting and loading restrictions will be introduced on sections of Abercorn Street, Harbour Road and Hamilton Street to allow the work to be carried out safely.
David Buchanan, Project Manager at Farrans, said: “Our team is making excellent progress at the AMIDS South project, and we are looking forward to meeting our first milestone as planned and opening New Grammar Road ahead of the school term beginning.
“The nature of this site and its position on a main arterial route for the town has made collaboration with local residents, businesses and our client particularly important to minimise disruption.
“We would like to thank the local community for its patience as we continue with our works.”
Ahead of the opening of Paisley Grammar School Community Campus, Renfrewshire Council has issued detailed travel guidance to parents and carers.
It covers walking and cycling routes, school and public transport, drop-off arrangements, parking information and the new road layout around the school.
Parents and carers are being encouraged to read the guidance before the start of term.
Further information about upcoming roadworks and temporary traffic management is available on the council’s website, with more information about AMIDS South at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/AMIDS-South.