Proposals published for Paisley town centre junction improvements

Changes are being proposed at two Paisley town centre junctions to make bus journeys better and deliver improvements for road users and pedestrians. 

Renfrewshire Council has secured Transport Scotland Bus Partnership funding to deliver improvements at the junctions of Glasgow Road, Mill Street, Gauze Street and Incle Street; and at Gauze Street, Cotton Street and Lawn Street. 

Improvements include a bus and taxi lane on Glasgow Road with traffic light technology to give priority to buses running behind schedule. 

The current Gauze Street junction would be replaced with a roundabout to help bus services finishing at Paisley town centre to turn and start their return journey more efficiently. 

There’s also new signal-controlled crossings being added at Incle Street and Gauze Street and two lanes for all traffic turning right at Glasgow Road. 

Initial engagement with businesses and organisations around both junctions considered their needs and the updated plans are now being shared for feedback. 

Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of the Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “It’s important we do everything we can to make it easier for people to use public transport and these improvements will support quicker, more reliable bus journeys for passengers travelling around Paisley town centre. 

“The proposals have been carefully considered to balance the needs of everyone using the junctions and will also deliver improvements for all road users and pedestrians.” 

Other changes would see the Incle Street slip road become a left-turn at the junction, with traffic flowing continuously – supporting slower traffic speeds and creating an improved area outside St Mirin’s Cathedral. 

The introduction of the bus lane will remove the slip road and option for traffic to turn left from Glasgow Road onto Mill Street, with vehicles instead able to use Cotton Street. 

Cotton Street would be altered to one road, with two-way traffic, the current northbound section of the road being closed to traffic, creating extended pedestrianised space at Paisley Abbey. 

Councillor Campbell added: “Businesses and organisations around the junction gave us their initial views and we’ve factored this in wherever possible, adding loading bays and ensuring we maintain the same levels of on-street parking.  

“Now we are sharing the updated plans and asking for any feedback over a four-week period before the project moves to the next stage.”  

Full details of all the changes and what they mean for bus users, road users and pedestrians are available now at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/paisley-junctions 

The Council is contacting residents, business owners and organisations around the junction directly and feedback can be provided before Friday 22 December 2023. 

Following the feedback period, construction work would get underway in 2024, starting at the Glasgow Road junction. 

Feedback can be provided by calling 0300 300 0380, emailing ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk or writing to: For the attention of Transportation & Development Manager, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1BR.