Rat running is a growing problem on Paisley roads close to where children play, campaigners have warned.

A decision to move a number of bus stops has caused a backlog in Neilston Road, with one Paisley councillor claiming these can be as long as 400 yards.

The change often means that, during rush hour, buses on opposite sides of the road stop side-by-side – making it a tight squeeze for other vehicles to pass.

Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast for Labour, described the switch as “ill-advised.”

He said: “I was stopped at the Clachan Bar and it was all because of the lights and the buses stopping at the same time.

“It was absolutely mental.

“It’s causing folks to dive round up Braids Road and any road they can.”

Commuters often detour by turning onto Braids Road and Falside Road before returning to Neilston Road, causing unrest among residents in the area.

Cllr Devine added: “People are not happy with the hold-ups and the cars are starting to use their streets as rat runs.

“When you go up Braids Road, it’s a busy street – but Brodie Park is up there and there’s a kids’ swing park up there and tennis courts. It’s an area frequented by children.

“The people in Braids Road want speed bumps or cushions to slow the traffic down.

“It’s been ill-advised to move the bus stops and it’s been a waste of money.”

Shirley McLean, chair of Glenburn Tenants' and Residents' Association, said: “Not only have you got two buses stopping side-by-side but you’ve got an accident waiting to happen at Aldi with traffic going in and out.

“The residents are certainly seeing an increase in the volume of traffic in Braids Road."

Both Cllr Devine and Ms McLean said there had been no public consultation carried out by Renfrewshire Council regarding moving the bus stops, which would have allowed people to voice their concerns.

Ms McLean said: “There was no consultation about the bus stops getting moved, it just happened.”

Renfrewshire Council has explained that the positioning of bus stops is a statutory duty of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – with no opportunity for public consultation.

A joint statement from the council and SPT said: “The relocation of the stops on Neilston Road was part of a Renfrewshire Council grant-funded project, which Strathclyde SPT is supporting through its capital projects budget.

“SPT advises and assists with the relocation of the bus stops and there is no statutory requirement to consult on the positioning of bus stops.

“The adjustments help to speed up journey times and provide a better service, in turn ensuring services remain economically viable.

“The programme has also invested in upgrades to bus shelters and has built high access kerbs to help people get on and off the bus more easily.

“The bus stop on the northbound side of Neilston Road, near to the traffic signals at Lochfield Road, had been causing traffic queues to form and the repositioning of the bus stop further north should reduce any delays.

“We are committed to road safety and are actively looking at traffic calming measures on Braids Road.”