Public show strong support for proposed City Deal projects

1,500 residents have their say during consultations

Council chiefs have revealed that the public a re firmly behind Renfrewshire’s City Deal projects.

Renfrewshire Council held engagement events over seven months last year, including nine separate public exhibitions and numerous meetings with community councils.

Almost 1,500 people took the chance to have their say and help shape proposals for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside and Glasgow Airport Investment Area projects, which are funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Surveys completed by people attending the latest events in December revealed local support for the proposals remains very strong.

A resounding 85 per cent were supportive of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, with eight per cent undecided and only seven per cent not supportive.

The Glasgow Ai r p o r t Investment Area project received the support of 81 per cent of respondents, with 14 per cent undecided and only five per cent not supportive.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “We held these events because we believe it’s important local people and businesses are involved at every stage of the process.

“Almost 1,500 people have now taken the chance to speak faceto-face to the project teams, find out about progress and raise any concerns they might have.

“I’m delighted to say that feedback has been incredibly positive, with the vast majority of people agreeing these major infrastructure projects will benefit their communities and bring huge opportunities to Renfrewshire and across our wider Glasgow City Region.”

He added: “These projects will attract investment, create jobs and help businesses thrive as well as giving people better access to facilities.

“There is no doubt they will be a tremendous boost for our communities and it’s very clear that people are strongly behind them.”

Activities have been carried out to inform the public and encourage them to share their views.

Renfrewshire Council also distributed more than 5,000 flyers and posters were displayed in communities throughout the three authorities.

Almost 500 surveys gauging public opinion on the projects have now been completed, with the results showing the vast majority of respondents are supportive of the plans and positive about what they mean for the future.

Almost 90 per cent agreed the new opening bridge across the Clyde, and works associated with it, will create jobs and help businesses expand.

And 84 per cent also agreed the project will improve their access to healthcare and education facilities, employment and public transport on the other side of the river.

While an overwhelming 85 per cent said significant employment opportunities will be created by the development of sites for business next to Glasgow Airport and the accompanying realignment of Abottsinch Road.

The positive feedback was not confined to the opportunities for businesses and the prospect of better access to jobs and services for local people.

More than 90 per cent of respondents also agreed the new off-road cycle routes would encourage more people to get on their bikes.

Local people will have another opportunity to comment on and help shape these projects at events scheduled to be held in May, ahead of an application for planning permission this summer.

The latest information on all of Renfrewshire’s City Deal projects can be found on the website at www. renfrewshire. gov. uk/ citydeal.

These City Deal projects will attract investment, create jobs and help businesses thrive