Construction begins on Scottish innovation district

Construction work has been kicked off for a major innovation district next to Glasgow Airport in Renfrewshire.Renfrewshire Council is leading the development of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in partnership with the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise.Work has now started on constructing the enabling infrastructure, which includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways, paid for through the £1.13bn Glasgow City Region City Deal, jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments.A 52-hectare campus at the heart of the district will house companies harnessing new technologies and accessing cutting-edge research. There will be 1.6 million square feet of available floor space and the site is already confirmed as the location for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.Renfrewshire pupils were also on hand to plant a tailor-made time capsule packed full of local manufacturing mementos together with the children’s ‘dream inventions’ – covering everything from glasses that can see emotions to a self-navigating bike.