Plans submitted for major infrastructure projects

Planning applications have been submitted for two major infrastructure projects led by Renfrewshire Council through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

an aerial view of the infrastructure being developed through the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project

Authorities in Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow will consider the details of the £90.7million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which aims to regenerate the Clyde Waterfront as an attractive area supporting residential, industrial, business, retail and leisure opportunities.

artist’s impression of the regenerated Clyde waterfront

It includes construction of the only opening road bridge across the River Clyde and new roads and cycle routes to better link the communities of Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank.

aerial view of the infrastructure being developed through the Glasgow Airport Investment Area project

Plans behind the £39.1million Glasgow Airport Investment Area project have also been submitted to Renfrewshire planning officials.

Construction of a new bridge over the White Cart, realignment of Abbotsinch Road, and new cycle routes form the project proposals to improve connections between the existing Westway, Inchinnan and Airport business parks.

It will also facilitate the creation of a world class business and commercial location in the heart of Renfrewshire, connected by air, sea and land.

If approved, work on both projects is expected to start on site in 2018 with construction completed in 2020.

Extensive engagement with more than 2000 people has signalled strong public support for the projects, with feedback surveys showing 90 per cent backing for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, while 94 per cent of respondents are behind the Glasgow Airport Investment Area project.

The projects are funded through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, an agreement between the UK Government, Scottish Government and eight local authorities across the Glasgow City Region to deliver improved infrastructure, create new jobs, tackle unemployment and drive innovation and growth.

City Deal projects will bring big business boost

Bob Grant, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, believes the Glasgow City Region City Deal projects led by Renfrewshire Council will bring jobs and business benefits to the local area.

He said: “These projects offer tremendous benefits for local businesses and have the potential to transform how we do business in Renfrewshire. These major infrastructure investments will make it easier for employers to do business; easier for employees to get to and from their places of work and open up the potential for future investment.

“Around 1400 jobs are expected during the construction period and a further 11,000 permanent jobs could be created through existing business expansion and new businesses being attracted to the area as a result of the City Deal infrastructure investment.

“Improved connections will also benefit the public and local employers, with 59,000 jobs becoming more accessible to Renfrewshire residents.

“I am very excited at the potential of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area to bring highly skilled jobs to the area. The signs are already there – the First Minister recently announced that an £8.9million specialist centre to develop new manufacturing processes for lightweight materials for the aerospace and automotive industries will be established here in Renfrewshire.

“It has been encouraging to see the public are firmly behind these projects and I look forward to seeing the work get underway. These are key projects in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which has the potential to unlock £3.3billion in private sector investment benefitting the whole region.”

Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside

Project details

• A 184 metre, two-lane opening bridge across the River Clyde, linking Meadowside Street in Renfrew with Dock Street in Yoker and accommodating vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
• A 750 metre Renfrew North Development Road to link Meadowside Street to the A8 at Argyll Avenue in Renfrew.
• New cycle lanes and connections to existing cycleways and active travel paths, connecting from Inchinnan Road, Renfrew through to Yoker Railway Station.
• New bridge approach roads providing access to the River Clyde crossing from existing roads
• Active travel routes of pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes incorporated into all new roads and bridges
• New and improved junctions upgrading existing roads and linking to existing and future developments.
• Landscaping including woodland planting, trees along the proposed roads and hedges to create wildlife habitats

Anticipated project benefits

• Increased business potential on both sides of the River Clyde, gaining access to more customers and suppliers
• Improved journey times between the newly connected communities
• Ease traffic congestion at Renfrew Cross
• Attract £282million in private sector investment
• Create 1015 jobs during the construction period and 629 permanent jobs as a result of new business creation
• Help deliver 1690 new homes
• Bring 83 hectares of land back into use
• Support reduction in greenhouse gas vehicle emissions by more than 500 tonnes in 2020

Glasgow Airport Investment Area

Project details

• Realignment and upgrading of Abbotsinch Road – including 1620 metres of new road  – to establish a high quality gateway into the new investment area
• A new 70 metre, two-lane bridge over the White Cart river from Wright Street to an approach road off Arran Avenue
• Active travel routes of pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes incorporated into all new roads and bridges
• A 2030 metre off-road cycleway connecting the realigned Abbotsinch Road to Inchinnan Business Park
• A 100 metre cycleway and pedestrian bridge spanning the Black Cart
• New and improved junctions and connections to existing cycleways and paths
• Benches and cycle parking at key points along new routes
• Trees planted on the realigned Abbotsinch Road and hedge planting to enhance biodiversity on Inchinnan cycle way

Anticipated project benefits

• Deliver the infrastructure and environmental improvements to facilitate a world class commercial location around Glasgow Airport and existing manufacturing centres in the heart of Renfrewshire
• Support the continued growth and expansion of Glasgow Airport
• Attract £430million in private sector investment
• Create 365 jobs during construction and up to 10,600 jobs as a result of new business creation in the Investment Area
• Create more than 300,000 square foot of new and enhanced development space.
• Brings 60 hectares of vacant and derelict land back into use
• Help deliver 250 new homes
• Reduce HGV traffic on Porterfield Road and Paisley Road as a result of Wright Street link
• Support reduction of greenhouse gas vehicle emissions by more than 200 tonnes in 2020