A £79.5m contract to build the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde and create new connections into Scotland’s manufacturing innovation district has been approved
The contract approval follows an extensive procurement process over the last two years, which considered in depth the technical expertise, carbon reduction activities, fair work practises and all the knowledge and experience required to deliver the project.
Graham will deliver the main construction and provide more than 100 community benefits including jobs, apprenticeships, and community volunteering activities.
It will support around 700 jobs during its construction and generate hundreds of subcontract and supplier opportunities.
A twin-leaf swing bridge for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians from Renfrew to the boundary between Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire forms the centrepiece of the project.
All planning consent is in place and construction is scheduled to start in Spring and take three years to complete, with the contract to be finalised later this month following conclusion of the procurement process.
There’s also riverside walking and cycling routes and a new road through Renfrew connecting the bridge to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) being developed by the Council in collaboration with Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
Economic estimates in the final business case published last month found the waterfront project could lead to 1,400 permanent posts and 950 temporary construction roles from the resultant £230m in private sector investment expected to be attracted to development sites on both sides of the Clyde over the coming years.
The project is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13bn Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Further Glasgow City Region City Deal funding is supporting Renfrewshire Council as it converts a 52-hectare site next to Glasgow Airport into a research and development centre for advanced manufacturing.
Construction of the underpinning infrastructure is scheduled for completion this year and plans are progressing for a specialist carbon-reducing district heating network, campus square and riverside green spaces.
Commercial infrastructure to attract businesses to Glasgow
John Reid, chief executive officer of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland Group, said: “The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland is the flagship for the future of manufacturing in the country, bringing together companies and people from across the manufacturing and engineering community in Scotland, the UK and beyond.
“The development of AMIDS and the ongoing investment in vital transport infrastructure is central to us transforming productivity levels of our manufacturing businesses, making them more competitive and boosting the skills of our current and future workforces.”
Cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “Across Scotland we have so far committed more than £1.9bn over the next 10 to 20 years to City Region and Growth Deals and additional investments.
“The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, contributing £500m over 20 years.
“The investment in this project through the Deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
“It also encourages active travel supporting walking and cycling infrastructure in the area.”
