VOTERS are being urged to have their say on controversial plans to redraw electoral boundaries in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

There are currently three parliamentary constituencies covering these areas – Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Paisley and Renfrewshire South and East Renfrewshire.

However, a shake-up proposed by the Boundaries Commission would see Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor being incorporated into a constituency containing the whole of Paisley and the southern half of Renfrew.

There would also be a new constituency covering the rest of Renfrewshire, the northern half of Renfrew and the Kilbirnie area of North Ayrshire.

A previous consultation on the proposals – part of a move to reduce the number of Scottish MPs from 59 to 53 and the number of MPs across the UK from 650 to 600 – led to around 1,500 written submissions.

Now the Boundaries Commission is to stage a further four weeks of public consultation to give people another chance to have their say.

The SNP has already criticised the proposals, branding them “completely unacceptable and undemocratic.”

Members of East Renfrewshire Council have also expressed concerns.

A spokesman said: “The proposals put forward by the Boundaries Commission for Scotland, which would lead to the current East Renfrewshire constituency being split in two, were considered by councillors in December last year.

“It was agreed not to support the proposals and a revised plan was suggested which would only result in a slight reconfiguration of the existing boundary.

“In addition, if the proposed boundary changes were introduced, councillors agreed that any names chosen for the new constituencies should protect the identity of East Renfrewshire, particularly in respect of the constituency covering the eastern part of the authority, where the majority of the electorate stay in East Renfrewshire.

“We await the outcome of the review in due course.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman added: “It is important that local people have the opportunity to make their views known during this latest phase of consultation by the Boundary Commission for Scotland.

“The consultation period allows for comments on suggestions made in earlier consultation programmes and public meetings.

“In our area, it is proposed there will be two constituencies – Paisley and West Renfrewshire.”

Isabel Drummond-Murray, secretary to the Boundaries Commission, said: “After the secondary consultation period, the Commission will consider all the information that has been submitted and expects to consult on any revised proposals for constituencies later this year.”

Final recommendations are set to be submitted in September 2018.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.bcs2018.org.uk.