Communicate with Renfrew Bridge Control and request a bridge opening

Overview, information for all vessels, how to request a bridge opening, legal information.

This information is for masters, skippers, and pilots whose vessels will pass the Renfrew Bridge.

All vessels must communicate with Bridge Control using the procedures below.

On this page:

Overview

Bridge Control is staffed 24 hours a day.

Bridge Control will not open the bridge if wind speeds average 30 knots or more.

The opening procedures below are designed to prevent vessels from approaching the bridge while it is locked across the river. Make sure you follow the right procedure for your vessel type:

Category 1 vessel - any vessel over 160 metres long or with a beam wider than 23 metres
Category 2 vessel - any vessel 160 metres long or less and with a beam 23 metres wide or less, other than a leisure vessel or tug without a tow
Category 3 vessel - leisure vessel
Category 4 vessel - tug without a tow.

If any bridge mechanisms fail, we have procedures in place to correct those issues and get the bridge open as soon as possible.

In the unlikely event of a major fault that would prevent Bridge Control from moving the bridge, there is an alternative layby berth next to Rothesay Dock. Vessels may dock in this location only when directed to do so by Bridge Control. In these cases, a mooring team will be on hand at the layby berth.

Information for all vessels

This information is for vessels of all categories:

All vessels passing the bridge location must communicate with Bridge Control.
The bridge provides a 5.51 metre headway above mean high water springs when in use by road traffic. All vessels with an air draft higher than 5.51 metres must request a bridge opening.
Requests for bridge openings must come from the master, skipper, or pilot to Bridge Control.
You must provide at least 3 hours' notice to request a bridge opening.
You must tell Bridge Control:
- your vessel's name
- its length
- its air draft (for category 3 leisure vessels only).
Bridge Control will open the bridge while the vessel is on its way to the bridge location and at a defined location on the river.
To contact Bridge Control:
- radio VHF channel 12
- email renfrewbridgecontrolroom@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone number will be added soon.

How to request a bridge opening

Category 1 vessel

These opening procedures apply to any vessel over 160 metres long or with a beam wider than 23 metres.

Transit upstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to ETA at No.1 Buoy in Clyde Channel. Advise ETA at No.1 Buoy in Clyde Channel (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at No.1 Buoy in Clyde Channel (Keppoch Point). Advise ETA at No.1 Buoy in Clyde Channel (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at No.1 Buoy in Clyde Channel, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Transit downstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to estimated time of setting off from dock. Advise estimated time of unmooring.
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to estimated time of setting off from dock. Advise estimated time of unmooring.
Contact Bridge Control when unmooring has commenced, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Category 2 vessel

These opening procedures apply to any vessel 160 metres long or less and with a beam 23 metres wide or less, other than a category 3 vessel (leisure vessel) or category 4 (tug without a tow). Category 2 vessels have a tug with a tow.

Transit upstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to ETA at Erskine Bridge. Advise ETA at Erskine bridge (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at Erskine Bridge. Advise ETA at Erskine bridge (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at Erskine bridge, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Transit downstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to estimated time of setting off from KGV, or ETA at BAE Govan if upstream of KGV. Advise estimated time of unmooring from KGV or ETA BAE Govan (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to estimated time of setting of from KGV, or ETA at BAE Govan if upstream of KGV. Advise estimated time of unmooring from KGV or ETA BAE Govan (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when unmooring has commenced at KGV, or arrival at BAE Govan, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Category 3 vessel

These opening procedures apply to any leisure vessel, except for passenger vehicles for which passengers pay a fare.

Transit upstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to ETA at Rothesay Dock. Advise ETA at Rothesay Dock (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at Rothesay Dock. Advise ETA at Rothesay Dock (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at Rothesay Dock, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Transit downstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 3 hours prior to ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway. Advise ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway. Advise ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at Renfrew Ferry Slipway, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Category 4 vessel

These opening procedures apply to tugs without a tow. Alternative controls are in place for emergencies.

Transit upstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 2 hours prior (different than the 3 hours for other vessel types) to ETA at Rothesay Dock. Advise ETA at Rothesay Dock (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at Rothesay Dock. Advise ETA at Rothesay Dock (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at Rothesay Dock, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Travel downstream

Contact Bridge Control minimum of 2 hours prior to ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway. Advise ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control 30 minutes prior to ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway. Advise ETA at Renfrew Ferry Slipway (bridge opening time).
Contact Bridge Control when at Renfrew Ferry Slipway, to confirm bridge in open-to-river position.
Contact Bridge Control when clear of bridge.

Legal information

The bridge is constructed and operated in accordance with the statutory instrument made by Scottish ministers, exercising powers conferred by Section 75(3)(a) of the Roads Scotland Act 1984. The instrument may be cited as Renfrewshire Council River Clyde Opening Bridge Scheme 2018 Confirmation Instrument 2019.