Renfrew Bridge, opening road crossing over River Clyde, West Glasgow road structure, Kettle Collective design

Renfrew Bridge, opening road crossing

11 Sep 2025

Renfrew Bridge passes one millionth crossing

Renfrewshire Council is celebrating a major milestone as the Renfrew Bridge has officially recorded its one millionth crossing.

Since recording started on 21 June, more than 800,000 cars have crossed the bridge, as well as over 22,000 cyclists and 35,000 walkers and runners, with the bridge becoming a vital travel link enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable travel across the region.

Renfrewshire Council successfully delivered the bridge as part of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside (CWRR) project, which included £39million in support from both the Scottish and UK governments and £1.7million from Transport Scotland.

Jason Loughlin crossed the bridge on the day it reached the landmark, having just passed his own milestone for the most crossings of the bridge on workout tracker app Strava.

Jason said: “There’s a Local Legends group and I’ve just regained my title for the most crossings so it’s fitting that happened at the same time as the bridge passes a million.

“The bridge has made a huge difference for me, it’s great. Living in Scotstoun, it was one of the main reasons I went for my job at Thermo Fisher Scientific which is across the water in Renfrewshire in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

“Having to use the Clyde Tunnel would double my commute time so it is the perfect connection for me and I’m sure many others. It has literally bridged the gap for people to come over the river for all kinds of opportunities.”

Passing the landmark highlights the success of the CWRR project which was designed to improve infrastructure, reduce congestion and promote active travel – with the bridge quickly becoming an essential part of daily life for residents and visitors.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “To reach one million crossings of the Renfrew Bridge so quickly is a fantastic achievement and a clear sign of the requirement for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.

“It is not only supporting people to commute to work, but also to access businesses, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the river and its popularity demonstrates the positive impact strategic investment in transport infrastructure can have.

“It’s also great to see that thousands of people are walking and cycling across the bridge each month as we encourage more active ways to travel and it’s a new travel link that we are proud to have delivered in Renfrewshire”.

A ceremonial opening held in May 2025 as local schools, performers, partners, elected politicians and the local community came together to mark the historic occasion.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Reaching this milestone in just four months demonstrates the transformative impact that this bridge is making for communities across the River Clyde. As well as opening work, health, education and leisure opportunities for people, it is estimated that the bridge will create up to 1,400 jobs through £230 million of anticipated private sector investment.

“It was funded through our £520 million contribution to the Glasgow City Region Deal. The deal aims to help communities in the Glasgow and Clyde region to thrive and create 29,000 jobs by boosting housing, transport, business growth and research opportunities to improve outcomes for patients.”

The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project was a milestone for the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a partnership of eight councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “A fantastic one million crossings in less than three months is clear proof that this magnificent bridge across Glasgow’s beloved Clyde has quickly become a cherished piece of infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It is also a powerful reminder of how vital it is to bring people and places together.

“The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which has been supported with £39 million from the UK Government, is 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.”

For more information on the project, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CWRR.

Video – Arrival to opening of Renfrew Bridge – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaXfGqDi6bM

+++

Previously on Glasgow Architecture:

8 May 2025

First opening road bridge over the River Clyde set to open in Renfrewshire.

Architect: Kettle Collective

Location: River Clyde in Strathclyde, west Scotland, United Kingdom

Photos by Drone Scotland

Renfrew Bridge Opening – New River Clyde Crossing News

The Renfrew Bridge – the first opening road bridge across the River Clyde – will open tomorrow (Friday 9 May) at midday (12.00pm) marking the completion of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.

Renfrewshire Council has successfully delivered the £117million project, supported with £39million from both the Scottish and UK governments and £1.7million 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.

The 184-metre, twin-leaf bridge uses a cable stay system similar to the Queensferry Crossing 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.

Renfrew Bridge Completion May 2025:

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson was joined today (Thursday 8 May) by Scottish Government Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur and UK Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Kirsty McNeill, as well as partners and the local community, to formally open the bridge.

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 now created between the communities.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson at Renfrew Bridge site during construction:

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.”

In addition to the new bridge, the project has created additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes, supported by £2milllion from Transport Scotland, including the extension of Argyll Avenue from Inchinnan Road to Meadowside Street and there will be a direct link to Yoker Railway Station from Renfrew for the first time.

The new bridge and adjoining roads have also improved access for people, businesses and suppliers to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation, which is being developed by the Council next to Glasgow Airport in collaboration with Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

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 £1.9billion 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.”

The £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal is a partnership of eight councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.

Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “Completion of Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which has been supported with £39 million 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.”

Civil engineers GRAHAM completed the project construction which has supported more than 950 jobs and generated hundreds of subcontract and supplier opportunities, many of which were completed by local businesses.

Jim Armour, GRAHAM’s Project Director, said: “The official opening of Renfrew Bridge represents the culmination of years of innovative engineering, collaborative working and community engagement. 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.”

As an opening bridge, river traffic will take priority so there may be occasions when the bridge is unavailable for crossing, but information will be posted as early in advance as possible on the council website and on digital traffic signage to support.

For more information on the project, including bridge availability, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/Renfrew-Bridge.

Drone footage within the video: Drone Scotland

Images: Drone Scotland

Project benefits

• The Renfrew Bridge will be transformational for Renfrewshire and the Glasgow City Region
• A new landmark for Renfrewshire
• The project shows the council’s continued ability to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects
• More than £100million invested in Renfrewshire
• It will bring work, health, leisure and education opportunities to both sides of the river
• Significantly enhanced travel connections for all modes of transport
• Potential for thousands of new jobs as we attract businesses and developments to the riverside
• Provides a new link to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland as Renfrewshire establishes itself as the home for manufacturing in Scotland
• Access for local people, the wider City Region and beyond to the highly-skilled jobs created at AMIDS

AMIDS

Renfrewshire Council is leading the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), a collaborative project with Buccleuch Property, to create Scotland’s home for manufacturing innovation.

AMIDS acts as a magnet for advanced manufacturing companies to locate to Scotland, offering 52-hectares side-by-side with anchor tenants the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre and connected to world-leading manufacturers and facilities at the nearby established Westway and Inchinnan Business Parks such as Boeing, Rolls Royce, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Peak Scientific and Terumo Aortic.

There’s also research and skills centres including NMIS Group facilities the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre and the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre.
AMIDS is based at Netherton, a new development on land between the White Cart river and Glasgow Airport, Scotland’s principal long haul airport and largest charter hub and facilities here include a state-of-the-art low carbon District Heating Network supplying heat and hot water 90% greener than a gas boiler.

Funding through the Glasgow City Region City Deal has delivered the enabling infrastructure, better connecting AMIDS to nearby commercial centres and enhancing walking and cycling provision.

Previously on Glasgow Architecture:

post updated 25 August 2024

Architect Tony Kettle reveals design inspiration for first opening road bridge over the River Clyde

Tony Kettle on Renfrew Bridge:

photos courtesy Renfrewshire Council