AN extensive programme of roads maintenance across Renfrewshire is set to begin as almost £7 million is invested over the next year.

The spending spree represents the largest single investment for maintenance in the local roads network and is designed to improve key routes.

Bosses at Renfrewshire Council have said the strategic roads network is being prioritised, including Class A and B roads, as well as roads of local significance to particular communities.

They have added that the bumper investment will allow Renfrewshire’s economy to continue to develop whilst also freeing up extra resources for residential roads.

Key work programmes have already been registered with the roads commissioner.

These cover the A8 Glasgow Road, in Renfrew, and the A8 Greenock Road, in Inchinnan, with work scheduled to begin next month.

Cllr Councillor Eddie Devine, convener of Renfrewshire’s environment policy board, visited the site of works on the A8 Greenock Road to provide details of the investment programme.

He said: “As a council, we recognise that improving the roads network is a key issue for Renfrewshire residents and, as such, we have invested accordingly.

“Resurfacing roads such as the A8 Greenock Road will help road users travel quickly and efficiently to their destination, allowing the physical and economic regeneration of the area to continue.

“The £6.7 million expenditure will make a tangible difference to the condition of our roads and will allow motorists and cyclists to use our road links safely and reduce the likelihood of accidents significantly.”

The 2016 Audit Scotland Report on Maintaining Scotland’s Roads highlighted that around 60 per cent of Renfrewshire’s roads are considered to be in an acceptable condition, which is around the Scottish average.

The report also identified that, in recent years, there had been an increase of around two per cent in this figure within the Paisley area.

Council chiefs have said the new investment will allow this trend to continue and create a safer environment for road users.