As part of the £1.4m worth of investment the council secured for Barrhead from the Government’s town centre regeneration fund, Main Street is set for some redevelopment.

A new ‘straight-through’ pedestrian crossing will replace the existing staggered crossing right at the heart of the main shopping centre of the Main Street.

This will allow quicker and easier movement between the two sides of the street, and will result in this section of Main Street being less car dominated.

But to make sure that visitors will continue to have direct access to the range of shops and for the benefit of local businesses some on-street car parking bays will be created to encourage passing trade.

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As with Cross Arthurlie Street, new, high quality paving stones will be introduced to improve the appearance of Main Street.

The work has started its first phase on the pavement in front of the sports centre. The entire programme of improvements is likely to last 16 weeks.

The Main Street shops will also be getting a major overhaul and facelift. A £35,000 investment in the facade and canopies will also begin shortly as part of the better Barrhead improvements.

Economic Development Convener, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Thanks to our successful bid to the Scottish Government town centre regeneration fund, we’re able to make substantial improvements to Barrhead’s two main shopping areas.

"Cross Arthurlie is nearly complete after it’s £800,000 road and street improvements. When that’s done, we can move onto the Main Street. At a time of real economic difficulty right across the country, investment in improving our shopping areas will be a real long term benefit to local businesses and residents."

(GK/KMcA)