WORKS have started to create a new cycle path that will connect two towns near Glasgow.

The £1 million project will create a 5km route, which will run parallel to the White Cart, beginning on the banks of the River Clyde at the Renfrew Ferry.

It will also be able to connect into the new two-lane road bridge over the River Clyde to Clydebank and Yoker.

Construction is due to start next year as part of the area’s Glasgow City Region City Deal investment.

From Renfrew, it will work its way through the town centre behind the Town Hall, travel via Robertson and Knockhill Park, before following the former railway track between Wright Street in Renfrew and Abercorn Street in Paisley.

It will then cross the newly reopened White Cart Footbridge at Abercorn Street into the town centre, before finishing at Paisley Gilmour Street train station.

For now, preparatory works are underway to clear overgrown vegetation along the section of the route behind Abbotsinch Retail Park.

Inn time, this will provide walkers and cyclists with access to West College Scotland and the former Chivas site, the proposed location of the new Paisley Grammar community campus.

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Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I was delighted to visit part of the site of the new cycle route as works get underway to create what will be a fantastic link between Renfrew and Paisley’s town centres.

“Ensuring that local people can walk, wheel or cycle throughout Renfrewshire is a key aim of this Council as we look to encourage people to leave their cars, get active and live healthier lives – and this also supports our climate change ambitions by reducing emissions as we strive to become net-zero by 2030.

“I look forward to seeing the work continue to progress throughout the year.”