U-turn as councillors set to scrap plans for bridge
A BRIDGE from Clydebank to Renfrew could be scrapped by councillors today in a shock turnaround.
Years in the making, the Clyde bridge now looks set to be swapped for two over the White Cart Water instead, leaving West Dunbartonshire with the existing Clyde Tunnel and Erskine Bridge routes.
West Dunbartonshire councillors weren’t told of the Renfrewshire plans until contacted by the Evening Times’ sister title the Clydebank Post. All they knew was there was an emergency planning committee meeting slotted for Clydebank Town Hall on Monday about the bridge.
The bridge project has been almost entirely out of the hands of elected representatives in Clydebank, and last year the Scottish Government called in the application after Renfrewshire said it would be better to be decided by them.
Provost William Hendrie, when told about the change of heart by Renfrewshire, said he was “delighted”.
He said: “I have always said it would attract people more to Braehead and it could be to the detriment to our little shopping centre.”
The Clydebank Waterfront councillor pointed to the increased traffic and lack of capacity at Dock Street, where the bridge would link to, as a central concern.
He added: “To me, it seemed like Renfrewshire thought it was a good idea but to no benefit to Clydebank.”
MSP Gil Paterson said: “If this is accurate, I would be interested to know what this City Deal of- fers the people of Clydebank. My expectation is that Clydebank should get its proper share of the benefits.”
Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Whatever the outcome of these discussions we stand ready to work with our partners in the area to ensure that any opportunities for Dunbartonshire businesses are maximised.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Councillors on the leadership board will consider a proposal to review the business case of the City Deal funded Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project to ensure Renfrewshire is ready to make the most of the jobs potential and investment that the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland will bring to the area.”