CLYDEBANK has been proposed as a site for a new £78 million crossing to the the south bank of the River Clyde for the first time. 

The proposals were put before elected members from communities on both sides of the river at an open day hosted by Renfrewshire Council in Clydebank town hall last week. 

The Post first revealed the plans for a crossing from Yoker to Renfrew last summer, but now Dock Street, east Clydebank, is one of three locations where the bridge could be built, in what is being dubbed The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Project. 

Backers, including Renfrewshire Council, say the plan will improve transport, roads infrastructure, and create jobs on both sides of the Clyde. 

However, the proposal has received a mixed reaction north of the river, where some councillors are concerned it will add to congestion, impact on local jobs, and the economy, while others want to hear more and engage in consultations with the public before taking a position.

Cllr Willie Hendrie, Clydebank Waterfront, said: “I’m worried about a new bridge from Clydebank to Renfrew because of the adverse affect it may have on Clyde Shopping Centre – of local jobs. If there is a bridge, people may opt to go to Braehead and do their shopping instead of staying here in Clydebank. I think it could jeopardise our shopping centre.”

The crossing is being built as part of the £1.3 billion Glasgow and Clyde

Valley City Deal, an agreement between the UK government, the Scottish Government and the eight local authorities across Glasgow and Clyde Valley. It sets out how the region will create economic growth through a series of developments.

The bridge is proposed to be built in one of three sites at the moment: Kelso Road, Yoker; Dock Street, Clydebank and a site in between. Building would likely start in two to three years time, in 2018 onwards. It would have to be able to part to make way for larger ships going along the Clyde. There are concerns a crossing would add to local traffic problems on Dumbarton Road and Glasgow Road, areas which already suffer from congestion. However, others say the new infrastructure would actually help traffic flow in the wider area, and improve accessibility.

It is contended the economic benefits of a crossing would boost Clydebank by encouraging more people to visit, but some worry people would go to Braehead Shopping Centre instead of spending cash in the town.

Cllr Kath Ryall and Cllr Gail Casey told how they will weigh the merits of the bridge once further consultation and information is available. 

Cllr Hendrie and Denis Agnew have expressed fears over new infrastructure benefitting Glasgow International Airport and thus creating more flights. Due to the low passing of planes, aircraft.

Independent councillor Agnew argued the infrastructure development around Glasgow Airport is a forerunner to a new runway being added, which would mean more flights. However, this was rejected by an airport spokesman, who said there are no plans for another runway in the next few decades.

The spokesman said: “Every five years, we create a masterplan that sets out how we will develop the airport. We wouldn’t even have to consider a second runway till around 2040. To give people an idea, we have nine million flights on the one run way every year, where as Gatwick Airport has 40 million.”

Plans are still in the early stages and no formal decisions  yet taken about where exactly the bridge will be, and what plans will be put in place to mitigate the issues raised.

A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are confident that the proposed Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Project will be beneficial for communities on both sides of the river.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman said: “The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside Project is still in the early stages of its development and we will continue to work with our partners as the plans develop.”

MEMBERS of the public have reacted to the news about a new road bridge from Renfrew to either Clydebank or Yoker.

Katrina Butcher told the Post: “I think this is an excellent idea. Renfrew and Paisley are awkward to get to from Clydebank by public transport and this will make it easier for people to travel to jobs and visit friends and relatives.

They would need to take care that their plans don’t cause congestion at each end of the bridge. Kelso street is already a busy junction. Perhaps Dock street might be better? Not sure.”

Taxi driver James Fleming said: “A crossing is long overdue. Unfortunately as a taxi driver it would cut my tariff in half. It would also probably have a detrimental impact on the current decline of Clyde Shopping Centre.”

Lauren English said: “I am so looking forward to this. I live in Renfrew and work in Clydebank and the commute if the bridge or the tunnel are getting work done is hellish. It would be nice to have an extra option. The Thames is covered in bridges, why not have a couple more on the Clyde?”