Renfrewshire Council has obtained legal advice in relation to the lengthy closure of Renfrew Bridge.
The local authority confirmed it is also receiving insurance advice after extensive damage was caused to the 184-metre twin-leaf bridge on the River Clyde during Storm Boelo last month.
Now, less than 18 months after it opened to commuters, the bridge is to be shut for “a number of months” while officials survey its water-damaged electrical systems.
The bridge was delivered as part of the £117 million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project.
Opened on 9 May 2025, it created a direct road, walking and cycling connection between Renfrew on the south side of the Clyde and Yoker, Clydebank and Glasgow to the north, cutting lengthy drives around the Clyde to a matter of minutes and giving walkers and cyclists a new route across the river.
Its closure is a huge blow to commuters in the area and has led to calls for answers on the cost and length of the closure from Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay.
He said: “The public deserve answers and the restoration of this vital link as quickly and safely as possible.
“This is why I’ve written to the council asking a range of questions that need straight answers.”
A report to the infrastructure, land and environment policy board on Wednesday morning stated: “There are two plant rooms at the Renfrew Bridge, one on the Renfrew side and one on the Yoker side of the bridge.
“They are built to the same specification and height levels, the river level was the same on both sides of the river during the storm, however only the plant room on the Renfrew side sustained any water ingress and associated damage.
“The plant rooms house the electronic systems controlling the bridge hydraulics which allows the bridge to open and close in a short period of time.
“These electronic systems within the Renfrew plant room have sustained significant water damage, requiring detailed root cause investigation, assessment of the scale of damage and associated remedial works.
“The bridge is within its two-year defects period and as such a contractual instruction has been issued under the contract for the contractor to source and identify any defects that could be responsible for the significant water ingress experienced in a single plant room in such a short period of time.
“Given this is a live contractual issue at present, there is a limit to the comments that can be made by officers at this current time.
“However, officers can advise the investigations into the incident have already commenced with further specialist investigations taking place this week and the council is being appropriately advised by external legal advisors and insurers to ensure the council’s interests are appropriately protected during this process.”
“This is a complex investigation with multiple parties involved including, contractors, subcontractors, specialists and insurance agencies.”