Disgruntled residents are on collision course with council chiefs over a travel consultation.

A number of people in Newton Mearns, Clarkston and Giffnock have hit out at the local authority after it ordered a study into how transport in Barrhead could be improved, without taking other areas into consideration.

Engineering firm AECOM was appointed by East Renfrewshire Council to undertake the Transport Accessibility Study of the Barrhead South area, giving residents the chance to use an online tool and interactive map to give their opinion.

A consultation was also held at the Barrhead Foundry, where residents could identify areas where improvements are needed.

However, those living in other towns and villages within East Renfrewshire say they feel left out.

Ros Montgomerie is particularly angry about a lack of transport links between Newton Mearns and the nearby Silverburn shopping centre.

She said: “Transport from Newton Mearns to Silverburn is non-existent.”

Concerns were also raised about poor transport links between Clarkston, Giffnock, Newton Mearns and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, to which East Renfrewshire residents are often referred following an appointment with a local GP.

One resident said: “At least Barrhead has excellent ‘across town’ bus services that feed to Paisley and onwards. Newton Mearns has First bus services that run madly off timetable and a train service with little parking.”

Another resident added: “The bus service in Newton Mearns is a disgrace. The council allow huge new building programmes but obviously, as they are all luxury homes, they must assume cars will be used, as they have not addressed the public transport system.”

However, despite the current focus on Barrhead, council chiefs have said plans will also be drawn up to improve transport links across other parts of East Renfrewshire.

A spokesperson said: “A key element of our £44million Glasgow City Region City Deal investment is improving connections between the communities of Barrhead and Newton Mearns to improve access to services, leisure and jobs. This transport accessibility study will provide invaluable feedback from the community and will ultimately shape plans for improving links within East Renfrewshire.

“We are already exploring ways to improve walking and cycling networks across the authority through the council’s Active Travel Plan.

“Residents will have the opportunity to have their say on our updated local development plan next year, which seeks to maintain and improve connectivity within East Renfrewshire and linking to the wider city region.

“We work in partnership with transport providers such as SPT, who would make decisions on introducing any new or amended bus routes, with consideration given to commercial viability.”