May 8 2025

The first opening road bridge spanning the River Clyde has been completed, with traffic invited to make the crossing between Yoker and Renfrew from midday tomorrow.

The Renfrew Bridge is a £117m infrastructure project led by Renfrewshire Council, employing a distinctive twin-leaf design that employs a cable-stayed system to hold up a two-lane crossing and associated active travel routes.

Spanning 184m the bridge links Meadowside Street south of the river to Dock Street in the north without blocking upstream access to ship traffic.

Associated road improvements include the extension of Argyll Avenue from Inchinnan Road to Meadowside Street.

Jim Armour, project director at Graham, commented: "This transformational piece of infrastructure will revitalise an area that has endured industrial decline over many years.

"The twin leaf cable-stayed swing design presented unique engineering challenges, which our team overcame through innovation and value engineering. By reconfiguring the deck section and optimising the stay-cable configuration, we've delivered a more efficient structure with a 35% carbon reduction. We're immensely proud to have constructed a landmark transport link that celebrates the shipbuilding heritage of the Clyde."

The bridge designs were drawn up by Kettle Collective. 

9 Comments

#1 Posted by Chanty Wrastler on 8 May 2025 at 15:55 PM

Congratulations to the designers and the contractors. I like this tapered box-section 'naval' design of the column supports. It is refreshingly simple-looking and apposite for the beginning of the Clyde Estuary. Any chance they can build some ferries?

#2 Posted by Nico on 8 May 2025 at 16:36 PM

Looks fantastic.

#3 Posted by George M Travels on 8 May 2025 at 23:35 PM

will decimate Clydebank… just watch.

#4 Posted by Ross Mitchell on 9 May 2025 at 07:35 AM

#3 it won't decimate Clydebank, but it may impact the retail park and shopping centre, which is a monstrosity anyway

#5 Posted by Lovely on 9 May 2025 at 08:38 AM

It does look really quite nice actually.

It would be interesting to know how long it takes to swing aside and let a ship through then close again.

Although I guess it’s becoming increasingly normal to spend ages idling and fuming in stationary traffic for no good reason these days.

#6 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 9 May 2025 at 10:28 AM

Why build a very expensive bridge and then hobble it with a poor network of access roads?

Plus not sure about the build economics -- a horse would appear to have its airways restricted.

#7 Posted by Heidfirst on 9 May 2025 at 10:32 AM

#5 from what I have been told it is not quick. The passenger ferry is apparently still planning on running so they must see an ongoing need.

#8 Posted by erik.archer on 9 May 2025 at 12:53 PM

Brilliant, well overdue.

#9 Posted by Anonymous on 9 May 2025 at 16:54 PM

#5 takes 3/4 minutes to open or close. Standard closure to traffic between 15-45 minutes.

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