PLANS to use an old railway line to create a new path linking Neilston and Uplawmoor for walking, cycling and wheeling are firmly on track.

Older residents may remember the days when steam trains from Glasgow ran through Neilston to Uplawmoor, before the link was dismantled in the early 1960s.

And, as the track bed is still visible in places, community leaders are keen to open a new off-road and fully-accessible path so the villages can be better connected once again.

Members of the Neilston Development Trust (NDT) and Uplawmoor Development Trust (UDT) are helping to drive the project forward, with meetings taking place just before the coronavirus lockdown to give local residents the chance to have their say.

According to NDT, the responses were “overwhelmingly positive.”

Sustrans, the national cycling and walking charity, has funded work on concept design, as well as landowner and community engagement, through its Places for Everyone programme, funded by Transport Scotland.

Approval has now been received to move on to the next design stage, which will involve more focussed discussions with people in both communities.

Pauline Gallacher, of NDT, said: “Active travel within Neilston and beyond has long been a focus for us, so we’re very excited to see this link developing.”

Martin Houston, of UDT, added: “We are delighted to be working closely with NDT on this exciting project to bring the two villages closer together.”

Experts at East Renfrewshire Council have also been supporting the project.

John Shelton, of the council’s roads and transportation department, said: “This project has made great progress."

To find out more, email pauline.gallacher@neilstontrust.co.uk.