PLANS for a bridge from Clydebank to Renfrew have taken a step forward with a potential route and artist’s impression.

A detailed “scoping” report has been released by engineering consultants Sweco including a possible design for the 184m-span swivel road bridge.

The bridge could be a key feature in the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project and will include more extensive roadworks on the south side of the Clyde.

Instead of replacing the Renfrew Ferry directly between the two halves of Ferry Road, the bridge would cross diagonally from Meadowside Street in Renfrew to Dock Street off Glasgow Road, near Holm Park.

The £78 million structure would be the only road crossing between the Clyde Tunnel and Erskine Bridge – but it is being viewed cautiously, with potential for business growth but also possible economic and traffic pitfalls for Clydebank.

One councillor raised the spectre of whether it could turn Clydebank into a “ghost town”.

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “We have received the scoping report and this is presently under consideration by our planning team. Any pre-application consultation will be undertaken by Renfrewshire Council.

“Once a planning application is lodged West Dunbartonshire will carry out the necessary statutory consultation in this area.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is one of the three major infrastructure projects that will be delivered in Renfrewshire as part of the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal.

“The project will bring significant transport and economic benefits to the area.

“A request for a scoping opinion in relation to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project has been lodged to allow the extent of the assessment to be agreed.

“This will be followed in the summer of 2017 by a planning application.”

“Further information on the scoping report can be found on the City Deal page of the council’s website.”

Both Labour and SNP politicians remained cautious about the bridge before the next stage of the debate.

Clydebank Waterfront councillor Gail Casey said: “The latest report regarding the proposed bridge has provided much more detail and it now seems like a viable and realistic project. There will be an environmental impact assessment and public consultation on the plans so far.

“The social and economic effects of connecting the communities of Renfrew, Clydebank and Glasgow could be of great benefit to us, especially for cycling, walking, public transport and access to employment. I have an open mind on the issue and look forward to public involvement and opinion.”

Fellow councillor Willie Hendrie is also approaching the matter with an open mind.

He said: “I’m worried about the traffic flow through the whole of Clydebank, and I can see this being an obstruction – it’s gridlock every night.

“I would need to weigh up if there’s any advantages to the people of Clydebank and consult the people of Whitecrook through to Dalmuir. I have had concerns from the word go.

“I’m starting from a point I think would not be a benefit but looking at it with an open mind.

“There’s also a worry about if the people head to Braehead – what do tenants of the shopping centre think? Will it cost Clydebank?

“Could we become a ghost town because of it?”

Also featured on the bridge is a pedestrian and cycle route to minimise carbon footprint, which is designed to “blend in” with the landscape.

The design will have a span of 90m and 2km of new single carriageway road will be built into the existing road network.

Showcasing a twin leaf look, this opening type design will allow uninterrupted passage of ships and vessels below.

MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said Clydebank must take the opportunity to encourage residents in Renfrewshire to spend their money across the river.

He said: “I welcome the idea of making Braehead more accessible to my constituents, giving them more options for shopping, as well as improving access to the new Southern General Hospital.

“I share the grave concerns people have raised about the potential for a reduction in footfall to the Clyde Shopping Centre, as well as recognising the challenges the centre operators face to offer better access and an overall better shopping experience to the community of Clydebank and the wider region.

“People will vote with their feet, and if we can work together to improve our local offering, providing something different and of a high standard, our local economy can take advantage, which will benefit the whole community of West Dunbartonshire.”