A NEW major £1.5 million pathway project in Renfrewshire, which aims to create a safer route for schoolchildren and residents to travel, has been completed.
The Red Smiddy shared pathway project in Erskine received more than £1.5 million in funding through the Scottish Government's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund in a bid to provide a safer travel route for locals.
The project extended and connected existing walking and cycling routes between the Red Smiddy Roundabout and Southholm Roundabout, creating improved links to Park Mains High School, Erskine shopping area and the wider network of local paths.
Work on the Red Smiddy shared walking and cycling path was completed in the summer ahead of the schools going back.
To mark the completion of the project, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn MSP, and Renfrewshire Council Leader, Iain Nicolson, met with pupils from Park Mains High School to hear how the new route is making a difference to their journey to and from school.
Imogen from S1 lives in Dargavel Village in Bishopton, where the new pathway has provided a new option for how she can travel to school.
She said: “The new pathway means I can cycle to school instead of always having to get the bus so I can be more active. The railings beside the path help make it safer to cycle as well.
“The new pathway will make it easier for people to get around Erskine. A lot of my friends live in Erskine and I’m in Dargavel so the new pathway means I can easily get to their houses.”
Meanwhile, Zacharay from S6, said the new path “opens up places” like Bishopton and Dargavel, making it easier to “get to and from school or friends' houses”.
“The new pathway is quite spacious and joins up with existing pathways which allows people to get around Erskine more easily,” he said.
Flynn said he welcomed the completion of the pathway project, adding that the benefits it brings to local people are already showing.
He said: “This route provides a safer and more accessible option for walking, wheeling and cycling, while supporting everyday journeys for residents and pupils alike. It also strengthens links to key employment areas, including Glasgow Airport, AMIDS and Inchinnan Business Park, connecting people to jobs and opportunities across the area.
“Projects like this demonstrate the value of active travel investment, helping people save money, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce emissions while creating more connected communities.
“That is why the Scottish Government is investing £226 million in active and sustainable travel in 2026-27, including more than £68 million through our Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This investment will help deliver more high-quality infrastructure across Scotland, making it safer and easier for people to choose active travel every day.”
Cllr Nicolson said that it was “fantastic to see this project complete and already making a positive difference to local people”.
He added: “By extending and connecting existing walking and cycling routes, we've created a safer and more accessible link for pupils travelling to and from Park Mains High School, while also improving connections for residents in the community.
“Encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys is an important part of creating healthier communities and reducing our environmental impact.”
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