Lifts at high-rise council flats across Renfrewshire will be refurbished over the next two years following the approval of a £486,000 contract.

The work – which is expected to start on March 1 – will be carried out at all 13 multi-storey blocks in Paisley and Provost Close in Johnstone.

As part of routine inspections at the buildings, the council concluded remedial works were needed in order to maintain the lifts.

The contract has been awarded to Glasgow-based Jackson Lift Services Ltd following unanimous agreement from members of the council’s finance, resources and customer services policy board.

It comes after the local authority agreed to carry out condition surveys on all the tower blocks back in early 2020 following the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017.

Councillor Jim Paterson, who represents Renfrew South and Gallowhill and sits on the board, said he was pleased to see the contract unanimously approved after receiving multiple complaints about lifts at Glencairn Court and Gallowhill Court.

“I was pleased the finance, customers services and resources board approved a contract for a lift refurbishment programme in all 14 multi-stories in Renfrewshire,” said Councillor Paterson, who was himself brought up in a multi-storey block in Glasgow.

“There have been numerous issues with the lifts at Glencairn and Gallowhill Court over the last two to three years and it is predominantly older people and people with mobility issues that live in these flats.

“I feel it is key they are put at the front of the programme. I will be making that case to the council officers.”

Fourteen companies expressed an interest in the contract and Jackson Lift Services came out as the most economically advantageous for the council.

The firm has confirmed a job for an unemployed person and a modern apprenticeship will be created as part of the contract and bosses will provide financial support for a community project.