CALLS have been made to upgrade the listing of a Renfrewshire monument.

The 1820 Martyrs Monument in Woodside Cemetery, Paisley, commemorates those who were executed in the aftermath of the Radical War and is currently C-listed.

But councillors have decided to write to Historic Environment Scotland (HES), asking for this to be reviewed.

The Radical War was a week of protests and riots across Scotland in April 1820. The government at the time feared civil unrest due to the rising cost of living and levels of unemployment.

The Paisley connection is the gathering at Miekleriggs Muir in September 1819. It was at this time that rioting took place in the town and the Riot Act was read several times within one week.

Councillor John McNaughtan, who represents Paisley East and Central, insists the Woodside structure should be at least B-listed, given the event’s “national importance.”

His motion asking for officers to write to HES received unanimous backing at the latest full meeting of Renfrewshire Council.

“We would like to see the monument’s listing move up from C to B,” said Councillor McNaughtan. “But there are even some arguing it should be Category A, as the 1820 uprising was the first general strike in Scotland.

“It should certainly be better recognised than it is at the moment.

“Renfrewshire Council agreed unanimously to write to HES, requesting that the category C listing of the 1820 Martyrs Monument be reviewed. It was felt that the historical significance of the 1820 events in Renfrewshire merited greater recognition.

“Individuals might want to email HES in support of upgrading the listing category of our monument.”

The other martyrs memorial at Woodside, which commemorates two covenanter martyrs, James Algie and John Park, is B-listed.