JACK THOMSON LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
Demolition works will take place in Renfrew next week to make way for a bridge over the River Clyde.
Buildings in Meadowside Street, which have been occupied by Christie & Son (Metal Merchants), will be torn down as part of a major project to transform the waterfront.
Funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the £ 90.7million project includes a 184 metre- long swing bridge for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
It will open horizontally for passing ships and connect Renfrew to Yoker.
Christie & Son will vacate the buildings tomorrow and demolition is expected to begin on Monday.
Councillor Bill Brown, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, said: “This was the building that was passed by many when they took the shoreline walk from Fishers Road alongside the Clyde.
“To facilitate the demolition, the council is required to close the walkway. I myself often took this walk with my daughters when they were young.
“The historic Blythswood is nearby and I have raised concerns over the abundant wildlife in the area.
“I have been reassured that the City Deal team is working with the appropriate protection groups to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the various types of wildlife in the area surrounding where the new bridge will be.
“It is my hope that the walkway will be reinstated after the completion of works as it is a part of Renfrew’s history.”
Norman Yardley, project manager for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside, confirmed a temporary closure of Fishers Road would take place from Tuesday until December 19.
He said in an email to councillors: “Due to the proximity of the adjacent footpath (Fishers Road) and the scale of the building to be demolished, it is necessary to temporarily restrict public access to the path during the work.
“Consideration of alternative routing has been made, however the size of the building, nature of the adjoining land ( soft ground, privately- owned woodland) and the overriding necessity to ensure public safety by an extended exclusion zone, has resulted in the need to close the path for a period.
“The contractor, Daltons Demolition, will erect signage advising of the closure at each end of Fishers Road and also around the local area.
“While the period of closure indicated on the signs extends to December 19, the team will work to achieve earlier reopening of the path if possible.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “A temporary closure is in place at the Fishers Road footpath in Renfrew for public safety until the Meadowside Street demolition works are completed.
“These works are in preparation for construction starting on the Clyde Waterfront Renfrew Riverside project.
“Throughout the planning process we have carefully considered the local environment and consulted with various bodies, including Scottish Natural Heritage, to ensure the work has a minimal environmental impact while also improving public access.”