Extra funding has been provided for improvements to a walkway between Netherlee and Stamperland due to rising costs.

An additional £28,000 was needed to cover the price of the project, which officials believe will improve footfall to local businesses and enhance “leisure opportunities for all.”

The request for more money was made due to “an increase in costs since the original estimates were provided,” a council report states.

A contingency sum of £12,000 and the £2,000 cost of clearing the site had been omitted originally. The path has also been altered “in line with current government standards for a cycle path,” which has led to a £9,000 increase.

The money has been taken from an underspend in a funding award from the UK Government’s shared prosperity fund. Cabinet members will be asked to ratify the decision, which has already been given verbal approval, at a meeting on Thursday.

East Renfrewshire Council’s cabinet originally approved the walkway project in August last year, using £65,7000 from the Scottish Government’s place based investment programme.

However, the council’s neighbourhood services sought an extra £28,000 to make up a shortfall in the budget.

The report by officials states: “There are no funds in the place based investment programme to accommodate this request, however the value of the project to the community has been recognised, so support has been identified from the underspend monies available.”

They add Scottish Government guidance meant work contracts needed to be signed by the end of March, so it “was not possible to seek prior approval from the cabinet for the increase in costs in time to meet this deadline.”

Verbal approval “was sought and obtained from Councillors O’Donnell, Devlin and Pragnell” in February.

The report adds: “This project will provide a welcome additional pathway in East Renfrewshire, helping our residents access an upgraded walkway, providing improved footfall to local businesses and enhancing leisure opportunities for all.”