Paisley bridge plan approved

A £59m scheme to improve links between Paisley town centre and Glasgow Airport moves forward, adding a harbour bridge and road connections but excluding a rail link.

Paisley bridge plan boosts Glasgow Airport links

Renfrewshire Council will begin a £59m project to improve transport links between Paisley town centre and Glasgow Airport. The plan includes a harbour bridge, new roads and a network of walking and cycling routes. The project draws £38.7m from the UK Levelling Up Fund with further support from the council and Transport Scotland. Completion is targeted for 2028. A 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river will connect the town centre rail station and bus interchange to AMIDS and the airport. A safe access route from Gallowhill will be created using the underpass on the former railway line.

But the plan does not include a rail link to the airport in this phase. Officials say the network is designed to unlock investment in Renfrewshire by improving access to AMIDS. The scheme shows how road and bridge projects can attract business, but it also raises questions about long term mobility and whether rail will come later.

The choice to prioritise roads and a harbour bridge over rail reflects funding realities. Road projects often win quicker capital and deliver visible benefits, yet they can miss climate and long term mobility goals. By linking Paisley to AMIDS and the airport, the plan aims to drive investment and jobs, but a missing rail component could limit future growth and commuter appeal. If the project delivers as expected, it may shift the local economy; if not, questions will persist about Renfrewshire's transport strategy.

Highlights

The plan invites scrutiny of how transport choices align with a broader mobility strategy.