RENFREW BRIDGE and the RENFREW FERRY
Yoker on the north bank of the Clyde and the town of Renfrew on the south side have been linked by a ferry for many years. Neither of these are within West Dunbartonshire, but they have entered our story with the opening of the new Renfrew Bridge in May 2025.
For the ferry see : RENFREW FERRY
This bridge is located on the very eastern edge of West Dunbartonshire where it abuts Yoker, in the greater Glasgow area. It is right on the West Dunbartonshire / Glasgow boundary so we can both lay claim to it as can Renfrewshire. It is served by Dock Street and so gives West Dunbartonshire improved access to Renfrewshire on the south side.
ACCESS : Glasgow Road, turning southwards at Dock Street. While there is signage, the turn off remains somewhat obscure. There are roundabouts at each side. It is a two-lane crossing for vehicles besides offering access to cyclists and pedestrians.
Bridge : https://w3w.co/areas.guards.award
Turnoff off Glasgow Road : https://w3w.co/flap.powder.pies
The Renfrew Bridge, linking the Renfrewshire town with Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank, is part of a £117m project to improve connectivity and regenerate waterfront areas.
The 184m (604ft) bridge is the first road crossing on the river capable of opening to allow large ships to pass....
A major benefit is improved access to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District being developed next to Glasgow Airport.
Construction was carried out by civil engineers Graham, and the large bridge sections were manufactured in the Netherlands before being transported by barge. [BBC].
Unlike the new bridge, the Renfrew Ferry is actually outwith West Dunbartonshire, but it retains a sentimental significance for many of us.
While Yoker is within Glasgow now, it didn't use to be.
In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Yoker like this: Yoker, a village in Old Kilpatrick parish, Dumbartonshire, and Renfrew parish, Renfrewshire, on the right bank of the Clyde, 1 mile N of Renfrew. It has a post and telegraph office under Glasgow, a great shipbuilding yard, and a large distillery. Pop. (1871) 535, (1881) 1256, of whom 953 were in Old Kilpatrick.—Ord. Sur., sh. 30, 1866. [Vision of Britain].
The bridge splits in half with each section capable of swinging to one of the banks to allow ships through.
Ample pedestrian and cycling space.
Interesting structure.
Views towards ROTHESAY DOCKS, CLYDEBANK
BBC : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2d5gxgz3geo
VISION OF BRITAIN : https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21924
