New bridge marks ‘ milestone’ in canal redevelopment plan

A MILESTONE has been reached in connecting two North Glasgow communities with a new bridge, Scottish Canals has announced.

The Garscube Bridge and Panmure Gate Link officially opened yesterday and is part of the £ 6 million Claypits project to deliver a nature reserve along part of the Forth and Clyde Canal near Hamiltonhill.

The electronic bridge opens to allow boaters through and will serve as a footpath linking Maryhill with new- build homes at Panmure Gate in Ruchill.

Catherine Topley, chief of Scottish Canals, said: “The opening of Garscube Bridge and the Panmure Gate Link marks an important milestone for Scottish Canals and our partners in delivering the Claypits project as part of the wider regeneration in North Glasgow.

“I am delighted that this project will connect the communities of Panmure Gate and Woodside giving them access to an urban nature reserve in the heart of the city.

The Claypits project will deliver long- term health and wellbeing benefits to the local residents as well as an additional boost to the local economy.”

Councillor Allan Gow, who chairs the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, noted the development in the wider context of regeneration in the north of the city.

He added: “On behalf of the partnership, I am delighted to see the opening of the Garscube Bridge today; a project that will reconnect communities in the area.

“Accessibility and greenspace are two of the key goals of the canal partnership in Glasgow, and the Garscube Bridge and the new bridges and greenspace at Sighthill and Stockingfield will benefit thousands of existing, and future, residents in the area.”