PLANS are in place for a new community route between Neilston and Uplawmoor that aims to boost walking and cycling in East Renfrewshire.

Funding from national walking and cycling charity Sustrans is supporting concept design work and landowner consultations for the proposed three-mile path.

The plan is part of East Renfrewshire Council’s Strategic Cycle Corridor programme and a nationwide effort to create more safe travel routes.

Pauline Gallacher, board member of Neilston Development Trust, said: “The community link would be a wonderful recreational route because people could travel in off-road conditions from Neilston all the way to Uplawmoor, which has very nice scenery.

“The route would get adults and children to be active and improve their health. Whether it be cycling, walking, people with prams or wheelchairs, it is about getting residents out into the countryside.

“It would also contribute to national and the local authority’s active travel strategies, as well as Neilston’s Development Trust’s active travel ambitions.”

The project is the first major collaboration between the Neilston and Uplawmoor Development Trusts, who hope the route will lead to new connections between and within the two villages.

The trusts are currently working with consultants to produce a report on the proposed route, which they aim to have published by the end of May.

Pauline added: “If we manage to meet all of Sustrans’ requirements, we can then make an application to take the project onto the design stage.

“We would like to see the route going along the bed of the disused railway line but it’s important to stress that all of these matters are very much up for consultation.

“We want to make sure anyone with an interest in this project has a chance to participate in the discussion.”

Neilston and Uplawmoor residents will be able to discuss the project with experienced landscape and engineering consultants at separate sessions in each village tomorrow night.

Uplawmoor residents can attend a drop-in session at Caldwell Church Hall, in Neilston Road, from 5pm to 6.30pm, while the session for Neilston residents will take place at Neilston Bowling Club, in Kingston Road, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Further updates will be posted on the Neilston and Uplawmoor Development Trust Facebook pages and websites.