A PROJECT to deliver a new "strategic" cycle corridor along a busy road in East Renfrewshire has almost reached completion of phase two of its works.

The new cycle path will run between the M77 overbridge near Newton Mearns to the Malletsheugh junction.

The work is being delivered as part of an East Renfrewshire Council project and funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

As part of the works nearing completion, Gavin Newlands MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North along with the chair and chief executive of SPT visited the site.

Gavin Newlands MP said: "I was delighted to meet with SPT and see first-hand the fantastic active travel upgrade of the A77 infrastructure.

"The upgrades included widened shared space and segregated walking and wheeling infrastructure, with specifically designed junctions it is the ideal solution that could be replicated across Scotland at suitable locations.

“Active travel improves health, promotes economic growth, and improves quality of life and the environment, and significantly cuts carbon emissions.

“For Scotland to achieve its net zero ambitions we must shift demand from cars and roads onto bikes and paths.  

"If we are serious about making walking and wheeling attractive and getting people out of their cars and tackling climate change, investment in new infrastructure and new facilities is essential. 

"Scotland is leading the way in active travel with a commitment to invest £320m, that is 10% of their total transport budget on active travel by 2024-25.”

SPT chair Stephen Dornan added: “This project in East Renfrewshire is an excellent example of projects that SPT’s capital funding investment supports and delivers for people living and working in local communities across our region.

“We are working with all our local authority colleagues to provide better, safer active travel options which more people can enjoy.”

Phase one of the project was entirely funded by SPT and runs from Barrhead to Uplawmoor, costing £650,000 for the 600m stretch of delivering a three-metre wide shared-use path between North Hillhead Road and the M77 overbridge.

Phase three of the works will link Netherlee to Eaglesham and the Whitelee Wind Farm, which is due to start this financial year.