THE formal application to build a new multi-million pound bridge linking Clydebank and Renfrew has been submitted to planning bosses.

West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed it received the proposal last week and is checking it before posting the full details on its website for consultation.

It would be the only opening road bridge across the Clyde from Renfrew to Dock Street and include new cycle routes to link Yoker and Clydebank to Renfrew, said planners.

Renfrewshire Council is leading the £90.7 million infrastructure project expected to be completed by 2020, if approved.

Doubts have been expressed in recent months about traffic and the effects on Clyde Shopping Centre.

But Renfrewshire Council chiefs said “extensive engagement” with more than 2,000 people had a 90 per cent backing to the bridge and other improvements.

The council said the 184-metre, two-lane bridge would accommodate vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Cycleways would be extended from Inchinnan Road in Renfrew to Yoker rail station.

There would be new and improved junctions and landscaping along the route.

A statement by Renfrewshire Council said it would attract £282 million in private sector investment, create 1,015 jobs during construction and 629 jobs as a result of business creation. But it does not state whether any of those are on the Clydebank side.

Gil Paterson MSP said: “I am waiting to see the detail of the planning application and to see what the wider implications are and I fully intend to make a comment once I understand what that is.”

The bridge is part of the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal with Renfrewshire focusing on transport links, including a rail link to Glasgow Airport. West Dunbartonshire is aiming for redeveloping the former Exxon Bowling site.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman said: “A planning application for the proposed bridge and its access road has been received by the council and is being checked and validated.

“The procedure for cross-boundary planning applications is that separate applications are made to each council and they will individually determine the application in accordance with their own policies.”

Bob Grant, chief executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It has been encouraging to see the public are firmly behind these projects and I look forward to seeing the work get under way. These are key projects in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which has the potential to unlock £3.3bn private sector investment.”