Rip it up and start again . . . that’s now the message from ruling SNP councillors over the cycle path shocker that's costing tens of thousands of pounds.
The unexpected twist follows Labour calls to scrap the main Howwood to Paisley cycle lane as a “death trap”.
It comes as a petition to stop the path in its tracks has hit 1,300 names and will be lodged with Renfrewshire Council tomorrow.
The 10km route is one of nine in Renfrewshire being built with £545,000 of Scottish Government cash.
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It’s already caused chaos in Johnstone - now Elderslie is waking up to the disruption.
SNP Councillors Andy Steel and Jacqueline Cameron have just tabled a motion to Renfrewshire Council to scrap the route.
The move has now increased growing public and political pressure on councillors to make a U-turn.
Renfrewshire Council agreed the route claiming it had carried out consultation.
But it received a scathing backlash from communities who said they knew nothing of the plan.
Councillor Steel said yesterday: “Concerns raised by constituents have taken months to be addressed and many suggestions from the local community were ignored after the consultation exercise.
“It’s for these reasons Councillor Cameron and myself have put a motion to the next full council meeting requesting that these sections be taken back to the drawing board for further consideration.
“We need to take recognition of concerns and look for better solutions.”
Last week Labour Councillor John Hood branded it a confusing death trap, revealing the congregation of Elderslie Parish Church would no longer be able to park outside in the street.
He also told how the road has become so narrow that central safety islands have been removed.
Now the SNP wants council officers to carry out a proper consultation and ask locals what they want.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron said: “We want the community to be clear that we have listened to their concerns, understand that they
didn’t feel fully consulted or engaged and that their local knowledge is vital to getting the design of the cycle path right so that it meets the requirements of cyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike.”
Renfrewshire Council got the cash via Sustrans Scotland group for the Howwood to Paisley corridor and eight others.
They are Glasgow Road (West), Barrhead Road, Causeyside Street, Central Paisley and West, Inchinnan Road, Greenock Road to Inchinnan, Inchinnan Road in Renfrew and Paisley to Renfrew.
Councillor Steel said he was “not comfortable” with the route, adding: “The section on Beith Road, Johnstone continues to raise issues over safety, maintenance and flooding, months after being installed.”
He also showed potholes and debris on the section through Johnstone and is incredulous cyclists would want to use it.
The council - which has chosen not to comment on this latest twist - alleged it had used “feedback from initial engagement with residents, businesses, community groups and elected members” before workmen moved in.
The motion to down tools, rip it up and start again will be head at the full meeting of Renfrewshire Council on March 3.
Resident Angie Kaplan, started the petition, and said: “This has been achieved by all our community and I applaud you all either for signing the petition or indeed providing comments and solutions in making this road safer.
“With Elderslie Main Road now also being included in this detrimental plan, we need to insist that plans be paused, discussed and reviewed before any further changes are made at a detriment to road users.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman declined to comment.
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