CYCLISTS will soon have a dedicated way to travel from Howwood to Paisley now that a new route has started to take shape.

Work to create the 35-minute, 10-kilometre cycleway connecting the village to Paisley town centre began on Monday and is expected to last around 10 weeks.

The route was developed following engagement with the local community, including businesses, community groups, schools, elected members and residents.

Starting in Midton Road, Howwood, close to the junction with Bowfield Road, the route will see cyclists travel along a scenic stretch with painted bicycle markings on the road, passing Howwood Park and St Anthony’s Primary and connecting onto Beith Road via Linnet Avenue, Martlet Drive and Hallhill Road.

In Beith Road, the route is initially a shared path that is signposted for cyclists and pedestrians before becoming a two-way cycle track near Cochrane Castle Primary, with the route segregated from road traffic by bollards.

Cyclists travelling toward Paisley will use Overton Road and then a crossing on Thornhill before continuing along Main Road.

Those heading in the opposite direction toward Howwood will use a shared path and then Broom Terrace for a length before moving back to Beith Road via a path link.

The cycle route continues past Johnstone train station and onto Main Road, Elderslie, becoming segregated cycle lanes on both sides between Beith Road and Glenpatrick Road.

Both existing lanes at Glenpatrick Road will remain and there will be no change to Main Road, near Elderslie Post Office, to ensure that parking in this area can be maintained.

The route then connects to National Cycle Route 7, via a new zebra crossing just before Elderslie Golf Club, before continuing to Paisley Canal train station on the existing traffic-free route.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, convener of Renfrewshire’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board, said: “I’m delighted to see work begin on the new cycle route from Howwood to Paisley.

“We’re committed to supporting local people to walk and cycle wherever possible and this new safe cycle route will connect a number of our communities and also link with the National Cycle Route 7.

“We’ve listened to feedback on the initial designs and made changes to ensure they work for everyone and I’d encourage you to continue to feed back your thoughts to us as the route is implemented.”