East Renfrewshire City Deal projects

Watch a video about the project which was produced in January 2024. Please note the timescale for completion has been changed until Spring 2026. 

Work to upgrade and improve Aurs Road between Barrhead and Newton Mearns started on 8 January 2024. To facilitate these significant improvements, the road will be closed until spring 2026.

Aurs Road is closed from the junction of Springfield Road in Barrhead to the junction of Stewarton Road in Newton Mearns. Diversion routes are in place via Stewarton Road, Nitshill Road and Darnley Road. Pedestrian access to the main path on either side on Aurs Road will be closed for the duration of the works.

Aurs Road will be transformed - from a winding, single carriage road to a safer, straighter road with a new active travel route and stunning waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir. This will:

• form a safer, more direct local route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns by straightening out two sections of the road and replacing a weak road bridge

• create an impressive waterside promenade with views overlooking Balgray Reservoir as part of a 2km active travel path connecting Barrhead and Newton Mearns to and through Dams to Darnley Country Park and providing a safe link for walking, wheeling and cycling

• create a long-awaited 4km circular walking and cycling route around Balgray Reservoir for park visitors for the first time

•  pave the way for new visitor facilities at Dams to Darnley Country Park

The £22.68 million project is funded through investments from the Glasgow City Region City Deal (with contributions from the UK Government, Scottish Government and East Renfrewshire Council), Transport Scotland through Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme, the Scottish Government's Bridge Fund and developer contributions.

Read our FAQs for more about the development including details of diversions and local restrictions. 

Visitor facilities may include:

• Cafe
• Outdoor education opportunities
• Play area
• Car parking
• Watersports

To be delivered in partnership with Network Rail.

The railway station will provide:

• Improved access to jobs and services for the existing community of Auchenback and residents from the new housing developments
• Excellent travel links and a direct public transport link to Dams to Darnley Country Park

• Construction of modern, flexible commercial units of 72 sqm (995 sq ft) at Crossmill Business Park, Barrhead.
• 17-acre former factory site now suitable for business, retail and leisure opportunities.

This project was also funded and supported by Scottish Ministers, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

Visit The Greenlaw Works webpage for more information about flexible new workspace in Newton Mearns.

Email The Greenlaw Works team to arrange a viewing.

Improvements to Balgraystone Road (opposite St Luke's High School in Barrhead) are now complete. They have:

• opened up new residential development opportunities, including access and utility services to support the regeneration of Barrhead, the first phase of which will include a development of 39 council homes
• improved access to Dams to Darnley Country Park and the proposed new rail station, enabling a rail and bus interchange
• provided better connections for walking and cycling to Dams to Darnley Country Park
• supported the wider long term economic objective of delivering a new sustainable community in Barrhead South of up to 1050 new homes within the next 10 years