THE detailed planning application for a bridge across the Clyde has been opened up for responses from residents across Clydebank and north-west Glasgow.

The long-awaited proposal goes to hundreds of pages on West Dunbartonshire Council’s website but remains thin on detail on the potential effects on traffic off Dock Street on the Clydebank-Yoker border and a business case for the area.

As part of the City Deal, the application also includes the proposals for developments near Glasgow Airport, meaning two thirds of all the drawings and analysis for public consumption are unrelated to the bridge or the north bank of the Clyde.

Meanwhile, West Dunbartonshire planners approved a new access road off Dock Street to a 132-home development earmarked for Yoker – but already admit it will have to be redrawn because the bridge design would run through it.

Renfrewshire Council, which is driving the entire £90 million plan, including the bridge, insists in the application that 2,000 people were consulted and reaction was 90 per cent in favour.

Ten people attended a Yoker Community Council presentation on April 3, but no councillors. All four councillors went to the Clydebank East briefing among 40 people in total the same day. Traffic flow and the impact on Clyde Shopping Centre were the main concerns raised.

A month later, 75 people attended at Clydebank Town Hall and another 148 at Yoker Community Campus for consultation.

Last month Councillor Iain Nicolson, leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “At each stage of the projects, the input of local people has guided the development and I am pleased at the contribution communities in Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow have made in shaping these projects.

“From guiding the choice of routes to highlighting the things that matter most to their communities, they have made their voices heard.”

The land of the bridge is a mix of ownership, with Rothesay Dock owned by Clydeport, the land to the east owned by Glasgow City Council and property on either side of Dock Street owned by West Dunbartonshire Council.

There will be roundabouts just beyond either end of the bridge with a footway on one side and a shared foot and cycleway on the other.

Dock Street will be dual carriage into the single-carriage bridge, with proposed signalling at Glasgow Road with accommodation for pedestrians and cyclists.

But there is no provision in the design for what happens at peak times for traffic when the bridge is open.

A summary of the plan states: “The existing modelling also shows that the projected traffic flows can be accommodated effectively through the local road network.”

It does state the amount of time the bridge is open will be limited but will have to be agreed with the harbour authority.

The proposed map shows a “future development access road” for access to tie in with an unnamed development on vacant former railway land.

That housing proposal by Turnberry, for 132 properties, has been working its way through Glasgow City Council since November 2015 and is classed as “pending”.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning officials state: “Renfrewshire Council note that whilst the proposed road alignment differs to that proposed for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside bridge connection at Dock Street, they are in discussion with the applicants over an alternative route design to allow both to be accommodated.”

*To view or comment on the planning application, go to the council’s website and search for DC17/177.

REACTION

PLANNERS behind the bridge bid insist 90 per cent of the public is behind them. But reaction remains mixed.

Joe Henry, a member of Clydebank East Community Council, said they continue to have concerns and the bridge should not go ahead until they are addressed.

He said: “We are happy that the bridge will mean faster travel to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, but there is great concern that it will be the death knell for the Clyde Shopping Centre.

“There are also major concerns that of the UK and Scottish government funding of £31 million, not a penny will be spent on the Clydebank side of the river. We raised concerns about the traffic – they estimate 18,000 vehicles per day using the bridge with no road infrastructure plan this side of the river.

“Because it’s an open-and-shut bridge, if there is a boat coming up river, the hold-up time will be 45 minutes - with no plan for traffic congestion. We would ask that the planning application should not go through until we can get a solution to all of the concerns raised.”

Business leaders said the bridge wasn’t an immediate concern because of the number of years it will take to build, but there were worries about the effect on retail.

Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “A bridge would certainly unlock the potential for significant investment, jobs and transport benefits and add to the continued regeneration of the Clyde waterfront.

“It will provide access to new markets for existing business and, as the development of the river front continues, lead to new business, leisure and residential opportunities.

“None of our members have raised concerns with us as yet and I would hope that the environment that is created would benefit rather than be to the detriment of existing businesses.

“The demographics of Renfrew are similar to Clydebank so we would hope that the commercial offer on this side of the river is conducive to attracting additional business to the area.

“The retail offer and scale at Braehead is different – it is more of a shopping destination and maybe doesn’t offer the convenience and mix that the Clydebank experience does.

“The chamber will certainly maintain engagement with our members as any plans unfold and work with our partners to ensure the most positive outcomes for business in our area.”

MSP Gil Paterson said: “I welcome the publication of proposals to connect Clydebank and Renfrew, and the wider project. Once I have sifted through the documents to understand the wider implications I will be make a full and informed statement.”

Councillor Michael Cullen, member for Garscadden/Scotstounhill, said: “Transport is vital for a thriving economy, for access to employment and leisure, and for enabling people to connect with their city and each other.

“This bridge further links the communities on both side of the river enabling them to be further integrated by expanding not just the local road network but also expanding existing cycling infrastructure, and improves the walking environment for everyone.

“This bridge helps promotes active travel where people feel safe and happy walking or cycling to school, work and play.”

No West Dunbartonshire councillors responded to a request for comment.