A PROJECT to create new cycle paths between Thornliebank and Clarkston has received £50,000 after making it to the second stage of a design contest.

East Renfrewshire Council’s A727 Toll to Toll project has been shortlisted, along with nine others from around Scotland, in the Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links PLUS competition.

The contest aims to reward bold and innovative projects to restore the balance of Scotland’s streets in favour of people walking and cycling, as well as providing funding to help them develop.

ERC’s proposal would see the creation of dedicated cycle paths and improved walking routes between Thornliebank and Clarkston as part of “an enhanced public realm”.

It would also create improvements for people walking and cycling along the A77 from Newton Mearns and Giffnock to Glasgow by creating segregated cycle ways and connecting to key public transport links in the area.

After receiving the £50,000 backing, the project is expected to begin further development within the next month, with the judging stage of the competition set to take place in April 2019.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “We will look forward to finding out which ideas are taken through to construction.”