Construction firm Farrans has been appointed to deliver a £59 million transport project linking Paisley town centre with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and Glasgow Airport.

The major infrastructure scheme, led by Renfrewshire Council, will include a new road bridge across Paisley Harbour, a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river, and a network of new roads, cycling and walking links connecting the town centre 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 planned Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. Dedicated active travel routes are included in the design, along with a safe access route from Gallowhill using the former railway underpass, funded by £1.5 million from Transport Scotland.

The £59m scheme will be backed by £38.7m from the UK Government’' Levelling Up Fund, with Renfrewshire Council contributing £18.8m.

Construction planning is currently underway, with the project scheduled to be completed and open in 2028.

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Economic forecasts suggest the project could generate £136m in private sector investment, cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes, and create new employment opportunities by supporting existing and new businesses.

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

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

Council Leader Iain Nicolson said the project would play a pivotal role in Renfrewshire's future growth.

"AMIDS is one of the most significant developments in Renfrewshire's recent history as it will bring high-quality jobs, world-leading industry and provide a significant boost to the area's economy so it is important that we provide the appropriate access to Scotland's home of manufacturing innovation.

"This project will not only provide infrastructure to better connect communities to education and employment opportunities, but it will also significantly 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 will be further proof of the Council’s ability to successfully deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects which bring substantial benefits now and for generations to come."