A new shared path in Erskine has connected existing walking and cycling routes, giving pupils and residents another way to travel through the area.
The Red Smiddy project received more than £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. It links the Red Smiddy Roundabout and Southholm Roundabout, with connections to Park Mains High School, Erskine shopping area and other local paths.
Work was completed in the summer, before schools returned. Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Stephen Flynn and Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson met Park Mains pupils to hear about their journeys.
Imogen, an S1 pupil who lives in Dargavel Village, Bishopton, said: “The new pathway means I can cycle to school instead of always having to get the bus so I can be more active. The railings beside the path help make it safer to cycle as well.
“The new pathway will make it easier for people to get around Erskine. A lot of my friends live in Erskine and I’m in Dargavel so the new pathway means I can easily get to their houses.”
Zacharay, an S6 pupil, said: “The new pathway is quite spacious and joins up with existing pathways which allows people to get around Erskine more easily. It opens up places like Bishopton and Dargavel making it easier to get to and from school or friends’ houses.”
Flynn said: “I welcome the completion of the Red Smiddy Roundabout to Erskine Active Travel Link project and the benefits it is already bringing to local people.
“This route provides a safer and more accessible option for walking, wheeling and cycling, while supporting everyday journeys for residents and pupils alike. It also strengthens links to key employment areas, including Glasgow Airport, AMIDS and Inchinnan Business Park, connecting people to jobs and opportunities across the area.”
Nicolson, who is also a local ward councillor, said: “It’s fantastic to see this project complete and already making a positive difference to local people. By extending and connecting existing walking and cycling routes, we’ve created a safer and more accessible link for pupils travelling to and from Park Mains High School, while also improving connections for residents in the community.”
Photo: Park Mains High School pupil Zacharay (S6) meets Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Stephen Flynn MSP at the completed Red Smiddy shared path in Erskine.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Headline photo and this photo: from left: Back row, from left: Ravi Grandhi of Transport Scotland; Park Mains High School pupils Faith (S2), Jessica (S5), Austin (S4), Robbie (S2), Zacharay (S6) and Imogen (S1). Front row, from left: Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Stephen Flynn MSP and Renfrewshire Council leader Cllr Iain Nicolson.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
Photo: Stephen Flynn MSP and Cllr Iain Nicolson walk along the new path with pupils from Park Mains High School.
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council