On 29 June 2007, Hugh Henry, MSP for Paisley South, unveiled a plaque at Paisley Canal Station to honour the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford.

The MSP took on the role in place of the RT Honourable Douglas Alexander MP who had been called to London to attend a meeting with Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail’s Deputy Managing Director, joined Mr Henry and guests including Professor Roland Paxton of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Dr Ann Glen, the transport historian to mark the occasion.

After the ceremony, a lunch reception was held in Platform One, the original Paisley Canal Station

Thomas Telford designed the Glasgow, Paisley and Ardrossan Canal which brought improved access and communications for people in these areas.  It opened in 1811 and was used both by passenger boats - pulled by horses - and barges carrying freight. The waterway, which led from Port Eglinton on the south side of Glasgow, was very successful at the outset in improving access and communications in the area but from the 1850s could not compete with the railways and gradually fell into decline. It was converted to a railway in 1883 by the Glasgow & South Western Railway Company.

The Blackhall Bridge, dating from 1809, was formerly an aqueduct carrying the canal over the White Cart Water. It was the largest masonry span of the “Canal Age,” adapted for railway use, and is crossed by today's line. The structure is three-quarters of a mile from Paisley Canal Station.

The plaque unveiling is just one element of a much wider programme of events taking place across Scotland, celebrating the life of Thomas Telford. Each event is designed to highlight the achievements, breakthroughs and successes of a remarkable man, the son of a shepherd family who had received only a basic education.

Steve Montgomery said: “I am delighted to represent First ScotRail at our station to mark the life Thomas Telford. His foresight and aspirations had a direct link to the railway which runs in Scotland today and I am proud to be a part of this commemoration.”

Professor Roland Paxton of ICE said: “This nearly two centuries old bridge is among the worlds earliest now carrying the public railway and is a remarkable testament to the confidence of Telford’s Civil engineering. First ScotRail is to be congratulated on a most appropriate event.”

Hugh Henry said: “I am delighted to unveil this historic plaque at Paisley Canal Street Station, which recognises the 250th anniversary of Thomas Telford’s birth and I hope will bring new tourists to Paisley.”