Cycle lanes network moves a step closer
Plans to introduce temporary cycle lanes on popular commuter routes across Renfrewshire have been revealed by council chiefs.
A week-long consultation has now been launched on the proposals, which would see cycle paths created along nine main routes across the region to support a boom in people taking to the saddle during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Lanes are set to be formed in several locations in Paisley including along Causeyside Street, Barrhead Road, Inchinnan Road, Broomlands and Wellmeadow Street, High Street and Glasgow Road (west).
There are plans to create cycle paths in the Ferguslie and St Mirren areas along the A761, Ferguslie Park Avenue, Blackstoun
Road and Barskiven Road.
Lanes along the Beith Road between Howwood and Paisley town centre, Kilbarchan Road in Johnstone, Main Road in Elderslie, Inchinnan Road in Renfrew, Greenock Road in Inchinnnan, and a route linking Paisley and Renfrew complete the proposals.
Renfrewshire Council has been able to formulate the plans after receiving a £540,000 cash boost from the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People Fund, which offers support to projects making it easier for people to walk or cycle for essential trips during Covid-19.
During a meeting of the council’s emergencies board, officers gave assurance some of the lanes could be made permanent in future if cycling continues to remain popular as restrictions begin to ease.
Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Howwood, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch, welcomed the move and said he was particularly pleased to see plans to improve connections between Howwood and Paisley.
The Independent elected member said: “At the emergencies board I was delighted to welcome a series of nine new arterial cycle paths, one of which is to be on the main route between Paisley and Howwood.
“The funding is only temporary but I was pleased to get assurance the pilot could become permanent on evaluation.
“Post-lockdown, people have decided they get not just physical benefits but mental health benefits from regular cycling too, and this trend looks likely to continue.
“I am certain my Howwood constituents will welcome this new development as it may also encourage cyclists to visit the village which links up with the Semple trail to Lochwinnoch.
“I am unashamedly pro-cycling and this new network will promote a form of transport which is good for ourselves, good for the NHS, and good for the planet, and I hope it becomes a permanent fixture.”
Sustrans - which manages the Spaces for People funding for the Scottish Government - has also provided cash for detailed design work to be carried out on a proposed cycle path between Houston and Bridge of Weir.
The council has said the works required on this route are “more significant” than other projects due to the current road limitations in terms of width and drainage.
More information is online atwww. renfrewshire. gov.uk/ Spaces For People Cycleways and feedback on the plans can be sent to ei@ renfrewshire.gov.uk
The consultation ends at midnight on Sunday.
People have decided that they get not just physical benefits but mental health benefits