Motorists face months of disruption as the Renfrew Bridge is forced to remain open to river traffic following serious damage to its operating systems during Storm Boelo.
The Renfrew Bridge, which connects Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank across the River Clyde, will close to road traffic from 8pm tonight (Wednesday, 28 October) as urgent repair work begins.
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that the bridge’s electrical systems suffered significant water damage during Storm Boelo, leaving the mechanisms responsible for operating the swing bridge unable to function normally.
The damage is concentrated in one of the bridge’s two operating plant rooms on the Renfrew side of the river, where electrical equipment controlling the bridge’s hydraulic systems has been seriously affected.
The closure is expected to last for months, creating a major inconvenience for motorists who regularly use the crossing to travel between Renfrew, Yoker and Clydebank. The route is also used by people travelling towards the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
BRIDGE TO REMAIN OPEN TO SHIPPING
Renfrewshire Council has explained that it is legally required to maintain access along the River Clyde for river traffic. As a result, the swing bridge will remain in an open position, preventing vehicles from crossing.
Temporary arrangements are being put in place to allow scheduled vessels to pass while engineers investigate the damage and work towards restoring the bridge’s full operation.
The tidal surge during Storm Boelo on Saturday night saw water levels in the Clyde reach 6.7 metres at Renfrew, with the resulting flooding damaging critical electrical equipment.
COUNCIL APOLOGISES FOR DISRUPTION
Gerard Hannah, Renfrewshire Council’s Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads, apologised to motorists affected by the closure.
He said: “We’re very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause all those who use the bridge.
“We have two operating rooms, one on each side of the river, which manage the opening and closing of the bridge.
“While one side suffered minimal impact from the high-water levels, the plant on the Renfrew side suffered significant damage to the electrical systems required to operate the bridge.
“Urgent work is under way to identify the issues behind the damage and get the bridge back into action as soon as possible.”
A £117 MILLION PROJECT
The bridge opened to road traffic in May 2025 as part of a £117 million project designed to improve connectivity and support the regeneration of waterfront areas.
Its closure comes just over a year after opening, with the crossing having become an important link for local communities and commuters travelling across the Clyde.
With repairs expected to take months, motorists will need to make alternative arrangements for cross-river journeys while the council works to restore the bridge.
The key question now is how long the repairs will take and what alternative routes will be available to the thousands of people who rely on this crossing.
Leave a Reply