The new shared walking and cycle route runs from Inchinnan Drive, along Barnsford Road to the path through Paisley Moss nature reserve just before St James Interchange and provides safe access to key employment sites including Inchinnan Business Park, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and the Airport.

The route was upgraded following investment from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Transformation Fund (ATTF) which aims to create high-quality active travel infrastructure that supports people to make the switch to more sustainable transport methods and reduce emissions.

In addition to Barnsford Road, ATTF funding is also supporting the completion of the Paisley to Renfrew active travel which is creating a direct active travel link between the two towns for the first time in decades - with the 5km route connecting Paisley Gilmour Street to the Renfrew Ferry via the route of the former railway line.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted to see the completion of this active travel route as it will connect Erskine and Bishopton more closely with some of our key employment sites in Renfrewshire, not least the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland which continues to grow exponentially.

“The Paisley to Renfrew route should be completed in the near future too which is fantastic and across Renfrewshire we are aiming to provide safe, accessible routes for everyone to use for commuting and exercise.

“As we tackle the climate emergency, we need to provide people with the best possible infrastructure if we want them to consider reducing their car use so routes like these are essential to making it easier for people to switch.”

The Scottish Government allocated £20 million as part of its active travel funding for 2023/24 to enhance walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday transportation and the Active Travel Transformation Fund directly provides investment to local authorities to support the implementation of ambitious active travel infrastructure projects throughout Scotland.