Black Cart bridge crossing plan is another step closer

Designs to link businesses with airport hub

13.07.2018 A Black Cart bridge is a step closer after designers unveiled blueprints.

Renfrewshire Council wants to create the foot and cycle path over the river to link business parks at Glasgow Airport with Renfrew.

The project is part of widespread regeneration around the terminal as part of the £1billion Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Bosses want to create a state-ofthe-art business quadrant to entice investment to the district.

Planners revealed details of the link in a report to the local authority.

It stated: “The proposed development is located to the east of Abbotsinch Road, in north-west Paisley.

“It is bounded by the White Cart Water to the east and Abbotsinch Road to the west, with Glasgow Airport, Westway Business Park and residential areas surrounding.

“The proposed development will see areas of farmland used to create strategic transport links.

“It includes the construction of a new cycle path running adjacent to and south of Greenock Road.

“It will include a bridge crossing of the Black Cart and tie in to the bascule bridge over the White Cart.”

The bridge would connect Abbotsinch Road to land next to All Hallows Church in Inchinnan.

Firms have already committed to setting-up at the jet hub.

Holyrood announced its Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland will move into the area.

The centre will become a world leader in design and production and will be the only facility of its kind in the country.

The Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre will also open at the site.

Almost £ 60m has been committed to the project, which will work to create new ways to get drugs onto the market quicker.

Experts say it could attract more than £80m in investment over the next decade.

Manchester- based Canmoor snapped up Westway Park for £40m in March.

It is home to international business, including engineering giants Doosan Babcock.

The site is the country’s largest enclosed industrial park and boasts infrastructure space through high eaves, heavy cranage and large power capacity.

Tom White, director at Canmoor, earlier insisted the space will be transformed by the creation through the link to the airport zone.

He said: “We are excited that Westway Park will play a key part of the Renfrewshire City Deal Project.

“This includes the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland and the development of a new bridge over the River Cart, linking Westway with Glasgow Airport.

“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter.”

A decision is expected on the application in September.