Yoker-Renfrew road bridge formally opens across the River Clyde
A new Yoker-Renfrew bridge over the River Clyde in Glasgow has been formally opened ahead of a weekend celebration.
Ahead of the public opening at 12pm on May 9, the road bridge was formally opened by Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish Government and as well as partners and the local community on Thursday.
Renfrewshire council leader Iain Nicolson, Scottish Government minister for employment and investment Tom Arthur, and UK Government parliamentary under-secretary of state for Scotland Kirsty McNeill were among those present for the bridge opening, built as part of the £1.3bn Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Young people from Kirklandneuk Primary in Renfrew, Our Holy Redeemer's Primary in Clydebank, and St Brendan's and Clyde Primaries from Yoker were first to officially use the bridge as they met in the middle to 'signify the connection' the bridge has created between the communities.
The 184-metre, twin-leaf bridge uses a cable stay system and provides a two-lane crossing for vehicles, pedestrians, and active travel as it connects Meadowside Street in Renfrew and Dock Street in Yoker, with the ability to open for passing ships as required.
It marks the completion of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.
Councillor Nicolson said: 'I'm delighted to see the opening of the new Renfrew Bridge as we successfully complete this transformational project which will enhance the local economy, attract new investment and developments to the riverside, and create thousands of new job opportunities for local people.
'It is another example of the Council's ability to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects and the benefits will be felt immediately by road users, local residents and businesses, as well as the long-term economic boost to Renfrewshire and the Glasgow City Region.
'With this project enhancing access into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) next to Glasgow Airport, it is an exciting time for Renfrewshire and I look forward to seeing the bridge in use from tomorrow.'
Renfrewshire Council has successfully delivered the £117m project, supported with £39m from both the Scottish and UK governments and £1.7m from Transport Scotland, and expect the bridge to open up work, health, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the river – with the potential for 1,400 additional jobs, investment and developments to be brought to the riverside.
Minister for employment and investment Tom Arthur said: 'Renfrew Bridge's opening is a historic moment, and it will be a welcome addition to the Clyde, creating opportunities for communities and businesses on both sides of the river and supporting 1,400 new jobs.
'This delivers our Programme for Government commitment to invest £1.9bn in Growth Deals, benefiting people across Scotland. Other measures include delivering 100,000 additional GP appointments by March 2026 and a 'best in the UK' cost-of-living guarantee, including the permanent abolition of peak rail fares.'
Minister Kirsty McNeill said: 'Completion of Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which has been supported with £39m from the UK Government, is great news for communities who can now enjoy a new bridge over the River Clyde to Yoker, a regenerated riverside and additional roads, cycling and walking routes.
'These enhancements are expected to attract further private sector investment and create more than a thousand jobs on both sides of the Clyde. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with partners to deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal.'
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