Taylor Murray
AN ambitious project to connect Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank is starting to take shape.
It was a sight to behold on the banks of the River Clyde as the south section of what will be the first opening road bridge over the waterway sailed into place.
The giant structure was fabricated in the Netherlands before being transported on a giant barge across the English Channel and Irish Sea on a seven-day voyage to Scotland.
Local residents were able to see it cruise under the Erskine Bridge before it arrived on the Renfrew side of the river, at Meadowside Street.
It will now be installed by civil engineers GRAHAM ahead of the north section arriving later this month, when it will be fixed into place at Dock Street, in Yoker.
Once both sections have been joined, the cable-stayed twin-leaf bridge will measure 184 metres.
It is part of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which aims to open up work, health, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the Clyde.
Renfrewshire Council, which is leading the delivery of the project, said it has the potential to create thousands of jobs as new investment pours in and a number of riverside developments are established.
In addition to the new bridge, the project will create additional connecting roads, as well as cycling and walking routes, which will link Inchinnan Road, in Renfrew, with Yoker train station, using the new Renfrew North Development Road.
It will also see improved access for businesses and suppliers to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) site, which is being developed by the council in collaboration with the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
Council leader Iain Nicolson told The Gazette: “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 Renfrewshire.
“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.
“With this project linking into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland 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.”
The project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal – a partnership of eight councils working together to grow a strong and sustainable economy which delivers for residents and businesses across the area.
Mairi McAllan, Scotland’s Wellbeing Economy Secretary, said: “I’m delighted that we are providing almost £39million towards the new Renfrew bridge through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
“The arrival of the first section