Construction of the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde has taken a fresh step forward as new dolphins have been installed into position on the river.
The dolphins are steel structures which are the latest part of the project to be completed and provide the additional safety infrastructure required for boats moving along the river past the new bridge.
The structures took five months to create and were cut, welded and assembled by steel fabricating company Had Fab. Using 100-tonne cranes the dolphins were lifted onto a transporter at Westway in Renfrew onto a barge and were sailed down the White Cart, onto the Clyde and into their final positions – with four dolphins installed to support vessels up to 160m in length.
Greg Scott, Managing Director at Had Fab, said: “Had Fab was delighted to be appointed to fabricate, trial erect, assemble and load out the dolphin fenders for the new road bridge over the River Clyde.
“This is a flagship infrastructure project for Renfrewshire that will regenerate the Clyde waterfront and Had Fab is hugely proud to be part of such an iconic construction that will deliver economic growth, create a vibrant waterfront and transform the Glasgow City Region.”
The blasting and painting of the dolphins was commissioned by Had Fab to local Renfrewshire company Clyde Corrosion Control who are based at Westway, part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
Managing Director Jamie Lowson said: “This was a great project to work on as it was located so close to home for us. A lot of our workers are local, and it will give them pride to see their work as part of such a substantial infrastructure project in Renfrew.
“I think the new bridge is a great investment as it improves the local transport infrastructure and provides a link between Renfrew and Clydebank that was not there before – giving people the option to walk, cycle or drive between the two towns and access health, social and work benefits on both sides of the river.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project aims to regenerate the Clyde waterfront with a new bridge from Renfrew to Yoker, as well as additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes.
It will create better connectivity for communities, attract new jobs and developments to the riverside, and enhance the access for businesses and suppliers to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS.
The bridge is due to arrive in two separate sections in April and May and it will then be installed and commissioned on site before opening to the public later in the year.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s fantastic to see the new bridge take another step forward as these dolphins are installed to support ships to dock when required – and it’s great to see a Renfrewshire business involved in this part of the project.
“The bridge is going to be transformative for Renfrew, Clydebank and the surrounding areas with enhanced connectivity for local people, visitors and businesses, including supporting a new route into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, and I’m looking forward to seeing the project advance ahead of its opening later in the year.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a partnership of eight councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.
UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “The installation of the steel dolphins is a great moment for this flagship infrastructure project to regenerate the Clyde, improve connectivity and boost the economy.
“The UK Government is proud to be investing £39 million in the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside scheme, part of our £523 million investment into the Glasgow City Region Deal, and more than £3 billion for levelling up across Scotland.”
Case study with Jamie Lowson, Managing Director of Clyde Corrosion Control
“It’s great to see dolphins in the River Clyde…just maybe not the kind you’re thinking of”
Jamie Lowson is Managing Director of Renfrew-based business Clyde Corrosion Control and was delighted his firm could be part of the ongoing project to deliver the new bridge from Renfrew to Yoker28 – the first opening road bridge across the Clyde.
The company, who are based in Renfrewshire at Westway in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, were involved in creating the new dolphin structures that have been installed in the water near the site of the new bridge – but they’re not quite the wildlife that the name normally suggests.
The steel structures are the latest part of the project to be completed and were carried out by steel fabricating company Had Fab. They provide the additional safety infrastructure required for boats moving along the river past the new bridge. – and four sets are in place to support vessels up to 160m in length.
Photo: Jamie Lowson, MD at Clyde Corrosion Control
Clyde Corrosion Control were commissioned by Had Fab to carry out the blasting and painting of the dolphins after they had been fabricated, and Jamie was delighted to work on such a substantial infrastructure project in the local area.
“We had heard Had Fab were fabricating the dolphins and reached out to them as they were a valued client, and we were delighted to take on the blasting and painting of the dolphins.
“We have two Nace 2 inspectors, Douglas Smith and myself, and we carried out the works. It was great to be involved in a local project of this type as we often work across a number of sectors such as oil and gas, marine, construction, renewables, nuclear and defence.
“So, working on a project located so close to home and one that will benefit the local community enormously has been brilliant. A lot of our workers are local, and it will give them pride and a talking point with their friends and families to see their work as part of such an important infrastructure project for the area.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project aims to regenerate the Clyde waterfront with a new bridge from Renfrew to Yoker, as well as additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes.
It will create better connectivity for communities, attract new jobs and developments to the riverside, and enhance the access for businesses and suppliers to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS.
“I think the new bridge is a great investment as it will improve the local transport infrastructure and provide a link between Renfrew and Clydebank that was not there before – giving people the option to walk, cycle or drive between the two towns and access health, social and work benefits on both sides of the river. I know it will certainly make my commute a lot easier!
“As part of our role in the project, we were able to hire an apprentice who now has real-life experience of a live project and they have come on leaps and bounds since they started with us.
“I’m sure this is the same across all the companies involved in the bridge construction and development so it’s great to see local jobs being created and this new transport connection will only increase that when the bridge opens later this year.
“It’s a project that I know our apprentice will remember fondly in years to come, as I know I will too!”
Work continues on the infrastructure for the bridge on site, including a new road on the Renfrew side that connects through Blythswood into Inchinnan and AMIDS and will improve traffic flow in the local area.
The bridge itself is due to arrive in two separate sections in April and May where it will be installed and commissioned on site before opening to the public later in the year.
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal which is formed of eight partner councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.