The first opening road bridge across the River Clyde is a step closer to completion as the first section of the Renfrew Bridge has arrived in Renfrewshire.
Renfrewshire Council is leading the delivery of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project which will see the new bridge connect Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank and open up work, health, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the Clyde – with the potential for thousands of additional jobs, investment and developments brought to the riverside.
The south section of the 184-metre cable-stayed twin-leaf bridge has arrived on the River Clyde after travelling for seven days on a barge across the English Channel and Irish Sea having been fabricated in the Netherlands.
It will now be installed on the Renfrew side of the river at Meadowside Street by civil engineers GRAHAM ahead of the north section of the bridge arriving next month, where it will be fixed into place at Dock Street in Yoker.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s fantastic to see the first section of the bridge arrive in Renfrew and the project take a significant step forward as this is going to be transformational for the local area, wider Renfrewshire and the City Region.
“The opportunities that the new bridge, and its new connecting roads and active travel routes, will offer communities and businesses are exponential and the project as a whole will provide a substantial boost to the economy and attract more jobs to the area – in addition to more than 950 already created during the construction phase.
Photo: Bridge leaving Rotterdam
Photo Credit: Zwijnenburg Yachting
Photo: Renfrew Bridge sailing to Renfrewshire
Photo Credit: Sarens
Photo: Bridge being delivered along the Clyde
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Council
“With this project linking into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) at Netherton next to Glasgow Airport, it is an exciting time for Renfrewshire and outlines the council’s continued ability to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects successfully.”
In addition to the new bridge, the project will create additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes which will link Inchinnan Road in Renfrew with Yoker Railway Station, using the new Renfrew North Development Road.
It will also see improved access for businesses and suppliers to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS, which is being developed by the Council in collaboration with Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “I’m delighted that we are providing almost £39 million towards the new Renfrew Bridge through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The arrival of the first section of the bridge is a significant milestone and will bring opportunities for local communities as well as people and businesses across the wider City Region.
“The improved access to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, which hosts the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, will also support our broader ambitions for a thriving, innovative manufacturing sector.”
The project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City, 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 arrival of the first bridge section 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.”
Civil engineers GRAHAM are delivering the project which has supported more than 950 jobs during its construction and generated hundreds of subcontract and supplier opportunities, many of which were taken up by businesses in the local area.
Jim Armour, GRAHAM Contracts Manager, said: “The arrival of the first section of the bridge marks a significant milestone on the project and a fantastic achievement by the team.
“Over the next few weeks, the team will be working hard to prepare for the north section of the bridge to arrive, where it will be fixed into place on the Yoker side of the river.
“The new bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure that demonstrates civil engineering excellence and will drive economic growth on either side of the Clyde”.
The bridge is due to be completed ahead of schedule and be fully operational for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Autumn 2024.