Renfrewshire Council is celebrating a major milestone as the Renfrew Bridge has officially recorded its one millionth crossing.
Since recording started on 21 June, more than 800,000 cars have crossed the bridge, as well as over 22,000 cyclists and 35,000 walkers and runners, with the bridge becoming a vital travel link enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable travel across the region.
Renfrewshire Council successfully delivered the bridge as part of the £117million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside (CWRR) project, which included £39million in support from both the Scottish and UK governments and £1.7million from Transport Scotland.
A major milestone
Jason Loughlin crossed the bridge on the day it reached the landmark, having just passed his own milestone for the most crossings of the bridge on workout tracker app Strava.
There’s a Local Legends group and I’ve just regained my title for the most crossings so it’s fitting that happened at the same time as the bridge passes a million.
The bridge has made a huge difference for me, it’s great. Living in Scotstoun, it was one of the main reasons I went for my job at Thermo Fisher Scientific which is across the water in Renfrewshire in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
Having to use the Clyde Tunnel would double my commute time so it is the perfect connection for me and I’m sure many others. It has literally bridged the gap for people to come over the river for all kinds of opportunities.
Passing the landmark highlights the success of the CWRR project which was designed to improve infrastructure, reduce congestion and promote active travel – with the bridge quickly becoming an essential part of daily life for residents and visitors.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said:
To reach one million crossings of the Renfrew Bridge so quickly is a fantastic achievement and a clear sign of the requirement for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.
It is not only supporting people to commute to work, but also to access businesses, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the river and its popularity demonstrates the positive impact strategic investment in transport infrastructure can have.
It’s also great to see that thousands of people are walking and cycling across the bridge each month as we encourage more active ways to travel and it’s a new travel link that we are proud to have delivered in Renfrewshire
A ceremonial opening held in May 2025 as local schools, performers, partners, elected politicians and the local community came together to mark the historic occasion.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
Reaching this milestone in just four months demonstrates the transformative impact that this bridge is making for communities across the River Clyde. As well as opening work, health, education and leisure opportunities for people, it is estimated that the bridge will create up to 1,400 jobs through £230 million of anticipated private sector investment.
It was funded through our £520 million contribution to the Glasgow City Region Deal. The deal aims to help communities in the Glasgow and Clyde region to thrive and create 29,000 jobs by boosting housing, transport, business growth and research opportunities to improve outcomes for patients.
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project was a milestone for the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a partnership of eight councils working to deliver a programme of work to grow a strong, inclusive and sustainable City Region and an economy which delivers for all people and businesses.
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:
A fantastic one million crossings in less than three months is clear proof that this magnificent bridge across Glasgow's beloved Clyde has quickly become a cherished piece of infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It is also a powerful reminder of how vital it is to bring people and places together.
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project, which has been supported with £39 million from the UK Government, is expected to attract further private sector investment and create more than a thousand jobs on both sides of the Clyde. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with partners to deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal.
Find out more about the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.