Plans have been unveiled to turn an eyesore town centre tenement block into a bus station.

An engineer and a local MSP have teamed up to come up with what they say is a workable plan to give Paisley a bus terminal.

The town has no dedicated area for bus passengers, who have to make do with main stops under the Piazza shopping centre in Central Road and along the busy front of Gilmour Street train station.

Now Gary Kerr, a local businessman and engineer, has come up with a plan for a transport hub that has the backing of MSP George Adam.

Mr Kerr says a rundown tenement in Incle Street, which is so neglected parts of its roof are missing, could be demolished to provide an ideal location for a bus stop, right next door to Gilmour Street Station.

From there it is only a short bus journey to Glasgow Airport, so he thinks the location could provide a modern integrated hub.

Mr Kerr said: "For the past year George has helped me push ahead with the plans for the station.

"We have been talking about it to the decision makers in Renfrewshire, including the council, but I decided I would do the groundwork and draw up plans to show the idea was not only viable, but a great chance to reinvigorate the town."

He says he has had a great response from the public after he posted his thoughts on the internet.

He added: "I aired the plans on Twitter and was amazed by the response. I have dozens of people wanting to establish a group to develop the idea into a reality.

"This is just one step to getting Paisley back where it belongs, as one of Scotland's biggest and most influential towns."

Mr Adam, Paisley SNP MSP, said: "I have known Gary for years and I know how much he wants to ensure Paisley can develop into the sort of town that can be an example to all."

He added: "Through Gary's engineering experience he has developed these plans for a bus station behind the old Arnott's site in Gauze Street.

"The idea seems perfect for the site, delivering people right into the heart of Paisley for shopping, hopping on a train or plane. This is exactly the sort of transport infrastructure Paisley requires.

Renfrewshire Council's deputy leader Mike Holmes says the council is working with transport bosses to carry out a feasibility study into how to take the matter forward.

Councillor Holmes said: "I'm delighted Mr Kerr has provided plans for a bus station in Paisley.

"The council will consider these and work with SPT, which is carrying out the study."

But the Labour councillor also criticised Mr Adam for not getting the idea off the ground while he served in the last administration of Renfrewshire Council.

Mr Holmes added: "I am delighted George Adam is supporting the proposal.

"In his five years running the council, George Adam failed to provide a bus station, failed to support improved transport links for Paisley and voted against the Glasgow Airport Rail Link that would have brought 1000 jobs to the area.

"We have done more in five months than George Adam did in five years."

The plan for a new bus station come just a week after demands were made for further integrated transport improvements in Renfrewshire.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan and MSP Derek Mackay have agreed to meet to discuss a plan to create a train station for Renfrew.

As reported in the Evening Times on Monday, Mr Mackay the council can take advantage of a Scottish Government fund of £30million to bring forward bids for new stations.

Renfrew remains one of Scotland's largest towns without a rail link.

In a separate development, Network Rail and ScotRail announced they would soon be carrying out a £12million overhaul of the rail link between Paisley Canal Street Station and Glasgow Central.

Construction work begins on September 22 to fully electrify the railway line. The work is designed to improve efficiency and reliability on the busy commuter route.

The project will see five miles of railway electrified between Paisley Canal and Corkerhill, sections of track altered to allow electric trains to run on the line and the enhancement of stations and bridges.

But the work will mean significant service disruption for travellers on the route.

ewan.fergus@ eveningtimes.co.uk