First look at the new Partick-Govan Bridge in Glasgow

The Govan-Partick Bridge was formally opened on Friday by Tom Arthur, Scottish Government Minister for employment and investment, Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Minister for Scotland, and Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken – with help from a few pupils at Notre Dame Primary and Riverside Primary.

(Image: Formal opening of the Govan-Partick Bridge. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

(Image: Formal opening of the Govan-Partick Bridge. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

Connecting both Govan and Partick, MP Kirsty McNeill believes that the structure will re-establish the historic connection between the areas and make a significant difference to the lives of residents on both sides.

Glasgow used to have a Govan-Partick ferry, but the Govan Ferry was closed to passengers in the mid-1960s. 

She told the Glasgow Times: “For a long time the River Clyde has been a barrier between these two areas and this will be the thing that will connect them.

“This project will be fantastic for jobs, access to leisure, and connecting Glasweigians. We could not be more delighted.”

(Image: Formal opening of the Govan-Partick Bridge. Photograph by Colin Mearns, Newsquest.)

Similarly, Susan Aitken believes the bridge will be transformational, particularly for Govanites.

She explained: ‘‘Govan is a part of the city with deep levels of poverty and deprivation. It has really suffered from the legacy of deindustrialisation and the abandonment of communities.

‘‘This bridge is about trying to create new opportunities and new life chances for Govan. By reconnecting Govan to the rest of the city, we are reconnecting it to new opportunities.’’

(Image: Left to Right: Kirsty McNeill, Tom Arthur and Susan Aitken, pictured by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

The bridge will officially open to the public on Saturday morning and will operate as a pedestrian and cycling path – one of the longest in Europe, according to the council.

Having taken a few years to build, the Glasgow City Region City Deal project cost £29.5m – which was funded by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

READ NEXT: Glasgow reacts to £29.5m Govan-Partick bridge opening

The Glasgow Times previously reported that some Govan and Partick residents said they were worried about the cost of the structure and questioned if it was truly necessary.

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

However, Minister Tom Arthur has insisted that the bridge will boost businesses and active travel, and will be good for residents and visitors alike.

He said: “The bridge is going to have a profound impact on the communities as it will bring them together. This will be good for the people who live here, businesses and those who are visiting.

“It will promote active travel which will make it far easier to go from Govan to Partick and will encourage people in Glasgow to consider walking or cycling and that’s only going to be a positive thing.

“Connecting both areas creates real business opportunity, so, it is going to be exciting to see how this develops.

“This bridge is a great thing for Glasgow, Partick, and Govan and I’m delighted to see it open.”

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Susan Aitken added that she herself believes that the costs to create the bridge were more than worth it. 

She added: “The opportunities the bridge will create are well worth the investment. It’s going to be an absolute game-changer.

‘‘The bridge came in at its budget of £29.5 million. That’s what infrastructure costs. It isn’t cheap.

‘‘One of my deputies in the council is a councillor for Govan and folk in his community have been desperate for this bridge to open.”

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

READ NEXT: Susan Aitken repeats Tommy Robinson not welcome in Glasgow

To celebrate the official opening tomorrow morning, the Clydebuilt Festival will take place on the north bank on September 7 and 8 beside the Riverside Museum, while the Footbridge Festival at Water Row, Govan Cross and Govan Road, will take place on September 7.

Clydebuilt Festival will be free to attend and will take place from 10am to 7pm. Activities at the event will include a ceilidh, performances from the Glasgow Folk Music Workshop, sea monster storytelling sessions, and face painting.

For more information, click HERE

(Image: Images taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

The Footbridge Festival will take place between the same hours and will also be free to attend.

The event is expected to bring in around 5,000 visitors from both sides of the River Clyde as it offers two stages with sets from grassroots talent to some of Scotland’s most established artists.

Performers include Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five, Horse McDonald and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

For more information, click HERE