WATCH: New Renfrew swing bridge being tested

Engineers have carried out the first tests to open and close a new swing bridge across the River Clyde.

The crossing between Renfrew an Yoker is due to be completed later this year, replacing the history ferry crossing and giving drivers a new north-south travel route.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “It’s fantastic to see this project continue to progress and move through significant milestones as we continue to show that we can deliver significant infrastructure projects successfully.

“Thousands of jobs will be, and have been, created through the CWRR project, as well as the opportunity for new homes and investment on the riverside and access to health and leisure for communities on both sides of the river.

“It’s part of an ongoing programme of transformational capital investment in Renfrewshire and the Glasgow City Region which will benefit people now but also generations to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing this new transport link completed later this year.”

Further upstream there’s another swing bridge across the Clyde being constructed - for pedestrians – linking Govan and Partick, and due to open next month.

Milestone moment

Jim Armour, GRAHAM Project Director, said: “This is a great milestone that demonstrates all the hard work from the full team over the last two to three years has been a success.

“It was great to see the bridge closing for the first time in such a smooth, controlled, and seamless operation. The next stage of the project is to conduct commissioning which includes reliability and operational testing.

“We are all looking forward to the official opening.”

The new bridge and connecting infrastructure are part of Renfrewshire Council’s capital investment programme which also includes the modernisation of Paisley Town Hall, the creation of the award-winning Learning and Cultural Hub on Paisley High Street, and the transformation of Paisley Museum into a world-class visitor destination.

The project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.