Renfrew Bridge
Renfrew Bridge | |
|---|---|
 South section of Renfrew Bridge under test | |
| Coordinates | 55°53′21″N 4°23′34″W / 55.8891423°N 4.3928917°W |
| Carries | Motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians |
| Crosses | River Clyde |
| Locale | West Dunbartonshire / Renfrewshire, Scotland |
| Characteristics | |
| Longest span | 184 m (604 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | £117 million |
| Opened | 9 May 2025 |
| Replaces | Renfrew Ferry |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | Free |
| Location | |
 | |
The Renfrew Bridge is a road and pedestrian bridge spanning the River Clyde in West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire, built as part of the ongoing Clyde Waterfront Regeneration. Opened to the public on 9 May 2025, it is the first new vehicle crossing point on the Clyde since the Clyde Arc bridge was built in 2006.[1][2][3]
Proposal
[edit]
Renfrewshire Council proposed a new road bridge to be built between Renfrew and Yoker/Clydebank (the north landing point being on the boundary between the City of Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire local authority areas).[4][5] The site of the bridge is a short distance downstream (west) from the former Renfrew Ferry service. As the Clyde is still used for shipbuilding upriver of the proposed crossing at BAE Systems' yards in Scotstoun and Govan, a moveable bridge structure was required to let vessels pass up and down the river. Initial estimates for construction were £50 million, using City Deal funding.[6][7][8]
In late 2018 the project was approved by the Scottish Government,[9] but West Dunbartonshire Council later objected to the bridge with concerns about traffic levels.[10] However, in February 2019, members of West Dunbartonshire Council's IRED committee unanimously voted to drop the council's objection to the project.[11]
History
[edit]Construction
[edit]
The two main sections of the bridge, were pre-constructed in the Netherlands, and transported by barge to the site in early 2024, to be installed over the course of that year.[12][13]
Opening
[edit]The bridge was opened at midday on 9 May 2025, in a ceremony attended by locals as well as children from primary schools in Renfrew, Clydebank, and Yoker.[14]
Renfrew ferry
[edit]
The Renfrew ferry initially continued operating after the bridge opened on 9 May 2025.[15]However later on 31 May 2025 the ferry ceased operation citing the bridge opening resulting in reduced passenger numbers to the point where the service was unsuitable to operate.[16][17][18]
See also
[edit]- Govan–Partick Bridge, similar contemporaneous project upriver
- Renfrew ferry, a ferry service that the bridge replaced
References
[edit]- ^ "New bridge planned across the River Clyde". Scotsman. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ "£50m City deal to build new Clyde bridge at Yoker". Evening Times. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "Renfrewshire signs up for city deal". Renfrewshire Council. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside, Renfrewshire Council
- ^ Ministers give green light to £90m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, Scottish Construction Now, 20 November 2018
- ^ "New bridge planned across the River Clyde". Scotsman. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^ "£50m City deal to build new Clyde bridge at Yoker". Evening Times. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "Renfrewshire signs up for city deal". Renfrewshire Council. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Clyde to get its first opening road bridge". Evening Times. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ "New River Clyde bridge plan could be at risk after council objection". Evening Times. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ "Full speed ahead for new £90m bridge to link Clyde communities". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ First section of new Renfrew Bridge arrives on Clyde, BBC News, 24 April 2024
- ^ Final section of Renfrew Bridge floated up the Clyde, BBC News, 17 May 2024
- ^ Renfrew and Yoker connected across the Clyde as new bridge opens to traffic, STV News, 9 May 2025
- ^ "New road bridge over River Clyde opens to traffic". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Important message". 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Renfrew Ferry stops permanently due to new bridge opening". STV News. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Historic Clyde ferry service closes after new bridge opens". BBC News. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.