Ministers to call in £90m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project

A £90 million proposal to regenerate the Clyde Waterfront is to be called in by the Scottish Government at the request of three local authorities to “streamline” the planning process.The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project aims to regenerate the waterfront as an area supporting residential, industrial, business, retail and leisure opportunities.Led by Renfrewshire Council as part of the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, the project includes construction of the only opening road bridge across the River Clyde and new roads and cycle routes to better link the communities of Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank.Given the scale of the project, Renfrewshire Council has reached an agreement with West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City Councils to request that the Scottish Government calls in the planning decision to streamline the process.The Scottish Government has agreed to the request. The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside will include:A 184 metre, two-lane opening bridge across the River Clyde, linking Meadowside Street in Renfrew with Dock Street in Yoker and accommodating vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.A 750 metre Renfrew North Development Road to link Meadowside Street to the A8 at Argyll Avenue in Renfrew.New cycle lanes and connections to existing cycleways and active travel paths, connecting from Inchinnan Road, Renfrew through to Yoker Railway Station.New bridge approach roads providing access to the River Clyde crossing from existing roadsActive travel routes of pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes incorporated into all new roads and bridgesThe Reporter appointed by the Scottish Government will outline the determination timetable and process to determine the planning applications.If approved, work is expected to start on site in 2018 with construction completed in 2020.