1.4 million crossings made over Glasgow bridge in first year

When the Govan-Partick Bridge opened last year, it re-established a link between two well-known Glasgow neighbourhoods that were spatially, socially and economically interconnected for centuries. 

It towers over an area that, for at least 2,000 years, had a huge importance as a location where it was possible to ford the Clyde.

Connecting Water Row in Govan and Pointhouse Quay in Partick, the bridge forms a key part of the active travel route between the University of Glasgow's campus at Gilmorehill and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Now The Herald can reveal that, since the Govan-Partick Bridge opened last September, there have been 1.4million crossings: 80% by foot and 20% by bike.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman told The Herald: “The communities on both side of the Govan-Partick Bridge expressed their desire for a new crossing to reconnect their communities, and the wisdom of this wish has been underlined by the huge numbers of people using the Bridge in its first year.  

“The Bridge is a fundamental piece in the work to regenerate the areas on both banks of the Clyde, and the patterns of people using it to get across the river – with 80% on foot and 20% on wheels – show that this is a key active travel route for so many people going about their daily lives.”

Meanwhile, Renfrewshire Council is also celebrating a major milestone as the Renfrew Bridge officially recorded its one millionth crossing.

Since recording started on June 21, more than 800,000 cars have crossed the bridge, as well as over 22,000 cyclists and 35,000 walkers and runners, with the bridge becoming a vital travel link enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable travel across the region.

Renfrewshire Council delivered the bridge as part of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside (CWRR) project, which included £39million in support from both the Scottish and UK governments and £1.7million from Transport Scotland.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "Reaching this milestone in just four months demonstrates the transformative impact that this bridge is making for communities across the River Clyde. As well as opening work, health, education and leisure opportunities for people, it is estimated that the bridge will create up to 1,400 jobs through £230 million of anticipated private sector investment.

“It was funded through our £520 million contribution to the Glasgow City Region Deal. The deal aims to help communities in the Glasgow and Clyde region to thrive and create 29,000 jobs by boosting housing, transport, business growth and research opportunities to improve outcomes for patients.”