AMIDS South update - Econ and Regen Board - August 2025 v4 - to committee
Renfrewshire Council · 26 August 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 26 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 26 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: AMIDS South Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. To provide an update on the progress being made with the AMIDS South Project which will link AMIDS and Paisley Town Centre. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations Board members are asked to: 2.1 Note the contents of the progress update. 2.2 Note the Chief Executive approved the award of the construction contract and final business case under delegated authority authorised at the Renfrewshire Council meeting on 26 June and that the construction contract will be presented and noted to FRCS on 11 September. _________________________________________________________ 3. AMIDS South Project 3.1 The AMIDS South project was awarded £38.7million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the Council committing £18.8million, to create a new road bridge across Paisley Harbour, a 1.7km gateway route along the White Cart river and a network of roads,
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cycling, wheeling and walking links from the town centre train station and bus interchange to AMIDS, Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan. 3.2 In addition, a new east-west link road from Renfrew Road to the new bridge crossing will be created which will connect into the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus, as will dedicated walking and cycling routes. Additionally, a safe access route from Gallowhill using the underpass on the former railway line will be constructed using an additional £1.5million provided by Transport Scotland. 3.3 This project provides infrastructure to better connect communities to education and employment opportunities at AMIDS, but it will also significantly improve the offer to organisations looking to locate here with enhanced access to the airport and the fourth-busiest train station in Scotland. 3.4 Specifically, the project includes: A road bridge crossing at Paisley Harbour for pedestrians, cyclists and road traffic. A gateway route from Paisley town centre along Abercorn Street, Harbour Road and Inchinnan Road to the manufacturing district AMIDS and Glasgow Airport – includes new cycle routes and landscaping An east-west road link from Renfrew Road joining onto the new route, increasing connectivity to the manufacturing district and improving access to the proposed new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus. - It will also connect into the Gallowhill Link which will use the former railway underpass to provide a safe crossing of Renfrew Road. Traffic calming works on Love Street will improve the environment for local residents and pedestrians, the area benefiting from a reduction in traffic flow due to the new routes. Improved walking and cycling on Greenock Road between Inchinnan Business Park and AMIDS. 4. Procurement Process 4.1 The Council used the competitive procedure with negotiation in accordance with the Public Contract Scotland Regulations 2015 and the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts to procure a suitable Contractor to undertake the Construction works for the AMIDS South project. 4.2 The procurement commenced with publication of a Contract Notice on 27 March 2024. Final tenders were invited in July 2025.
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4.3 The AMIDS South project team includes Amey OW Limited the appointed Lead Consultant. The evaluation of Final Tenders identified that the submission by Farrans Construction trading as Northstone (NI) Limited was the most economically advantageous tender and therefore a Contract for the Construction Works for the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District Scotland South (AMIDS S) Project (RC-CPU-22- 352) was awarded by the Chief Executive to Farrans Construction trading as a division of Northstone (NI) Limited as authorised by Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025. 4.4 A report notifying award of this contract will be presented to the Finance Resources and Customer Services Policy Board at its meeting on 11 September 2025. 5. Business Case 5.1 Economic projections have estimated the project could boost the local economy by an additional £136million and cut carbon emissions by 21,700 tonnes, while creating new job opportunities and helping existing and new companies to grow and expand. 5.2 A compulsory purchase process was followed to acquire the land for the scheme and notices have now been issued confirming the Vesting Date. 5.3 The AMIDS South investment including the previously delivered Inchinnan Cycleway Link and contingency allowances totals £59M. This is funded from the following sources: Levelling Up Fund (LUF) £38.7M Council Funding of up to £18.8M, including reallocation of existing resources as approved by Council on 26 June 2025. Transport Scotland, Active Travel Infrastructure funding of £1.5M 6. Construction phase 6.1 Construction related activities are due to commence in September 2025, with overall opening programmed for Spring 2028 with earlier phases tying in with the adjacent Paisley Grammar Community Campus project. 6.2 Aspects such as public utilities diversions and overall bridge construction are crucial to realising this milestone completion date.
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6.3 Lead Consultant, Amey Consulting Limited, are commissioned to provide contract management and site supervision services relating to delivery of the project. A full-time site presence of 5/6 individuals will be provided to undertake the required duties, with Amey Consulting ultimately responsible for management of overall delivery of the project within the terms of the contract, having been involved in this capacity from early conception. 7. Governance 7.1 The project will be report to the City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Board, chaired by the Chief Executive. This officer board will provide oversight, monitoring and governance to the project. Update reports will be brought to the Economy and Regeneration Policy Board as required. 8. Next Steps 8.1 A further update report will be brought to a future Economy and Regeneration Policy Board to update the board on site progress. The award of the construction contract under Chief Exec delegation will be reported to the next FRCS Board. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The AMIDS South project is funded through Levelling Up Funding of £38.7M, approved Council Contribution of up to £18.8M and £1.5M from Transport Scotland via the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund – therefore allocating a total project budget of £59milllion. 2. Financial – none 3. HR & Organisational Development – none 4. Community/Council Planning – Our Renfrewshire is thriving – The AMIDS South project will link our communities and deliver an economic boost. The project aligns with the outcomes of the Renfrewshire Economic Strategy 2020 -2030 and the Renfrewshire Economic Recovery Plan.
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Our Renfrewshire is well – The new safer walking and cycling infrastructure will help encourage active travel by children and young people, as well as adults. Reshaping our place, our economy and our future AMIDS South will link to AMIDS and other investment in cycling infrastructure and education and will provide connectivity and access to new and existing jobs for people in our communities. During the project construction period new jobs will be created. Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all – AMIDS South links our less advantaged communities with education and job opportunities at AMIDS and provides healthy transport options Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – The completed infrastructure will include segregated provision for walking and cycling and will also enable improved public transport links. Working together to improve outcomes – Officers and contractors will work closely with local businesses and a business engagement programme will be established 5. Legal – a compulsory purchase process was undertaken to progress the land requirements for this project. 6. Property/Assets – once completed the new road and bridge will be adopted by the Council’s statutory roads team. 7. Information Technology – none 8. Equality & Human Rights - (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 9. Health & Safety – all health and safety legislation and standards will be followed during construction. 10. Procurement – all contracts are tendered in accordance with Council procurement procedures and will be awarded under Chief Exec delegation (see Council delegation from 26 June 2025) and reported to the next FRCS Board.
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11. Risk – Project specific and Programme level risk registers have been established. These are kept under regular review and reported to the Council’s officer City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Board, chaired by the Chief Executive. 12. Privacy Impact – None. 13. Children’s Rights – None 14. COSLA Policy Position – Not applicable. 15. Climate Risk –Active travel is a key component of the project and links with wider active travel routes and investment in Renfrewshire. A new active travel “safe route to school” will be constructed as part of this project. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Barbara Walker, City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Director