The Renfrew Bridge, which began carrying road traffic across the River Clyde in the previous year, will shut down for an extended period to undergo repairs following damage sustained during Storm Boelo. According to BBC News, Renfrewshire Council confirmed that electrical systems operating the bridge suffered severe water damage over the weekend, with extensive harm to one of the two operating plant rooms.
The bridge, set to close at 20:00, provides a vital connection between Renfrew and Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank of the River Clyde, serving as a key route for those travelling to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The council faces a legal obligation to maintain the Clyde's navigability for river traffic, requiring the swing bridge to remain in an open position during the closure period.
The water damage affected electronic systems controlling the hydraulics on the Renfrew side of the structure. Gerard Hannah, the council's head of climate, public protection and roads, outlined the situation:
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.
What caused the damage?
Storm Boelo brought exceptional tidal conditions to the area on Saturday night. The Clyde's water levels reached 6.7 metres at Renfrew during the surge—the highest level recorded at Renfrew since digital records began in 1998, and more than twice the forecast level. This unprecedented rise overwhelmed the electrical infrastructure in the Renfrew plant room, while the corresponding facility on the opposite bank experienced only minor effects.
How will river traffic be managed?
Temporary measures to operate the swing bridge manually are being implemented to permit scheduled river vessels to pass through. These temporary measures were being put in place on Wednesday, 28 October, with the council stating it would share further details as repairs progress.
What happened with the flood barriers?
The council faced criticism earlier in the week for not deploying flood barriers during the storm, which led to widespread flooding of local shops and businesses on Saturday night. The local authority explained that its forecasting data indicated the predicted tide levels would fall short of the threshold required to activate the barriers, only for the actual tide to exceed predictions. Following the incident, Renfrewshire Council acknowledged that it would review its procedures.
What happens next?
Assessment work is underway to determine the full scope of damage and establish a timeline for restoring the bridge to full operational capacity. The council has committed to keeping the public informed as the repair process advances, though no specific completion date has been announced. The extended closure will significantly impact commuters and those requiring access to the hospital via this route during the coming months.
