PLANS for multi-million pound infrastructure projects which aim to transform Renfrewshire are expected to take a major leap forward next week.

Councillors will meet on Monday to discuss a contract which, if approved, will see work start on two major City Deal projects.

The contract, worth more than £600,000, would see overwater ground investigations begin on both the Clyde Waterfront and the Renfrew Riverside and Glasgow Airport Investment Area projects.

The work involves gathering geotechnical and environmental information needed to develop the designs for both projects, which will see a new bridge across the Clyde to link communities north and south of the river, a new bridge across the White Cart River, the realignment of Abbotsinch Road and the creation of new cycle routes.

Public engagement events held last month revealed overwhelming support for the projects, with early indications showing that around 80 per cent of responses were positive.　

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “Our public engagement events in December showed that local people are incredibly enthusiastic about these projects and eager to see them take shape.

"Hundreds of visitors came along to the events in Renfrew, Paisley, Clydebank and Yoker to speak to the project teams and the feedback from the public was overwhelmingly positive.

“These new bridges, improved roads and new cycle routes will benefit people in every community within Renfrewshire and across our wider city region, not only in the jobs they will create, but also in building our economy for the future.

"By improving connections between communities and places of business, these projects will provide local people with better access to jobs, education opportunities and health, entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as giving companies better access to their customers and workforce."　

The £91 million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside initiative and the £39 million Glasgow Airport Investment Area venture are two of three major infrastructure projects that aim to secure Renfrewshire’s long-term economic future. 　

Along with the £144 million Airport Access Project – providing the long sought-after direct rail link between Glasgow Airport, Paisley and Glasgow city centre – they are expected to attract inward investment, create jobs and cement the region’s place as the economic powerhouse of Scotland.　

All three projects were approved by Renfrewshire Council in November, with City Deal funding green-lit by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet last month.