Renfrew Bridge
Renfrew Bridge | |
|---|---|
| File:The new Renfrew Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 7930181.jpg Renfrew Bridge | |
| Coordinates | Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found. |
| 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 | |
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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 Govn-Partick bridge was built in 2024.[1][2][3]
Proposal
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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 | edit source]Construction
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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
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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
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The Renfrew ferry initially continued operating after the bridge opened on 9 May 2025;[15] however, the service ceased operation on 31 May, with the operator Clydelink stating that the bridge had reduced passenger numbers to an unsustainable level.[16][17]
Closures
[edit | edit source]On June 23rd 2025 at 10am the bridge was closed after a suspicious item was found at a nearby building site. A bomb squad was sent to the scene however it was established the item was not an explosive and the bridge reopened to the public at 12:40.[18] [19]
The Bridge closed on November 7th 2025 after maintenance on the bridge discovered a flaw in its structure. The bridge reopened on the 10th of November 2025, with an extended closure due to take place on November 12th 2025 to complete the necessary repairs. [20]
Bus Operations
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Local groups were in discussion before and after the bridge's opening in an attempt to secure a bus route crossing the bridge - this would be even more important due to the Renfrew ferry ceasing operations on 31 May 2025, making travelling between the two sides without a vehicle increasingly difficult.[17] Discussions between Renfrew Community Council and McGill's Buses resulted in McGill's looking into the possibility of running a route over the bridge, but as of 13 June 2025 this had yet to be introduced.[21] On the same date, First Glasgow announced that as of present it could not operate services over the bridge, citing unpredictability as the result of closures.[22]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Govan–Partick Bridge, similar contemporaneous project upriver
References
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- ^ 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
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- ^ 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
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