'No public celebration for bridge is baffling'

Renfrewshire Council has come under fire over the lack of a planned “public celebration” to mark the opening of the Renfrew Bridge next month.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

The first opening road bridge across the River Clyde, connecting the town’s Meadowside Street with Dock Street in Yoker, will open on Friday, May 9.

The local authority intends to host a closed event the day before - on Thursday, May 8 - which will be attended by its leader, Scottish and UK government ministers, civil engineers and partners involved in the project.

While an invitation will also be extended to certain community, business and education representatives, SNP councillors John Shaw and Lisa-Marie Hughes feel everyone should have the opportunity to be a part of the “historic occasion”.

Bigger celebration

Councillor John Shaw

Councillor Shaw, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, said: “Given the scale of disruption Renfrew has experienced throughout the construction period, it’s baffling that there's no plan to mark the bridge’s completion with a public celebration.

“This is a major new piece of infrastructure for our town and everyone deserves the chance to be part of its opening if they wish, not just those invited to a closed event.