COUNCILLORS will get the chance this week to have their say on controversial proposals to build a bridge across the Clyde, from Yoker to Renfrew.

The Scottish Government approved the plan for a £67million bridge last month.

On November 16 Renfrewshire Council broke the news on Twitter, saying: “Go-ahead given for new bridge to transform the Clyde waterfront, connecting communities and bringing thousands of jobs and major investment into the regional economy.”

Councillors are to discuss Scottish minister’s plan for the bridge, whose opening design will allow river traffic to pass, at a planning committee meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on December 19.

There are also plans for a new access road, the upgrading and widening of Dock Street, junction improvements on Glasgow Road and the formation of a shared footpath-cycleway to Yoker railway station as part of the Renfrewshire City Deal, which is funding major developments in the area.

Councillor John Mooney of Labour, who is in favour of the bridge, told the Post: “The project is fully funded by the UK Government, the Scottish Government and Renfrewshire Council. There will be no cost to residents of West Dunbartonshire.

“As well as being free of charge, it will have significant connectivity and educational benefits. Students at West College, Clydebank, will be major beneficiaries.

“As regards fears of additional commercial pressure on the Clyde Shopping Centre, I do not subscribe to the nil-sum game argument of Donald Trump and others nearer to home. I am confident that Clydebank will grow significantly in the next 10 years – commercially, socially, and in terms of employment opportunities.

“So much so, that I have recently joined Scotland’s Towns Partnership to explore a more radical approach towards ownership and repurposing of shopping centres. For example, West Dunbartonshire Council is a major shareholder in Clyde Shopping Centre and has the power to reduce business rates in a targeted way.

“It is about time that we used the powers that we have locally to boost our local economy. The new bridge will play a productive role in this.”

And Labour Councillor Gail Casey believes the bridge will mean better access to the airport, among other key facilities.

She said: “The new bridge would be a plus to our area as it will give quicker access to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Airport for the benefit of the community of West Dunbartonshire.

“It will bring easier access for people travelling from the Renfrewshire side to the West of Scotland College on the waterfront.

“I also believe that Clydebank will experience more footfall into the shopping centre, which hopefully will bring more shops to boost the economy of the town”.

Meanwhile, SNP Councillor Diane Docherty said: “A decision has been taken to proceed with the bridge. Our priority remains ensuring the best possible outcomes for West Dunbartonshire and we will work with all partners, including Renfrewshire Council, to achieve this.”

However, councillor Douglas McAllister hit out at SNP’s stance on the project, saying: “I am supportive of the new Clyde Bridge proposal. We should welcome this level of record investment to our town of Clydebank and I can’t understand why the local SNP, led by their Vale-based leader, is against the idea of the bridge.

“The new Clyde Bridge proposal will allow for greater and easier access to our shopping centre, our new sports centre, our college and the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

Recent reports have estimated that the ageing Clyde Tunnel needs at least £20 million pounds worth of investment. It is constantly down to one lane. The new bridge would allow for quicker and safer access for our residents to reach the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Accident Emergency Department there."