A NEW £280,000 cycle route to Glasgow Airport aimed at employees has been officially opened.

The pathway includes a 2.5km route through the airport campus, which links Inchinnan Road with Barnsford Road.

A 1.5km section also travels through the Paisley Moss nature reserve, which runs adjacent to the airport’s runway.

Mark Johnston, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “As one of the largest employers in the Renfrewshire area, it is important that we provide the near-5000 people who work at the airport with attractive, sustainable transport options.

“Almost 50% of the people who work across the campus live within a four-mile radius of the airport, while more than 25% live within two miles. "Providing a sustainable and healthy surface access alternative to encourage people to swap four wheels in favour of two makes sense and we are seeing the benefits already with a steady increase in the number of airport staff cycling to work since the route was developed.

"Our cycle parking bays are always busy and I see more staff and members of the public walking and cycling the route on a daily basis."

The route, which was officially opened by Renfrewshire North and West MSP Derek Mackay, also aims to support City Deal transport plans for the campus.

The transport hub was also presented with Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly Employer Award.