Renfrew Bridge has marked its first anniversary after more than 3.5 million crossings were recorded in under a year, with residents, workers and businesses praising the route for transforming travel across the Clyde.
The bridge, which opened in May 2025, links Renfrew with Clydebank and Yoker and was designed to improve connections across the wider Glasgow city region while supporting sustainable travel and economic growth.
Figures released by Renfrewshire Council show that between 21 June 2025 and 16 April 2026 there were more than 3 million vehicle crossings, alongside 84,600 walkers and runners and 41,500 cyclists using the bridge.
The council also confirmed that the Renfrew Bridge WhatsApp channel, which alerts users when the opening bridge is temporarily closed for passing ships, now has more than 45,700 followers.
Renfrewshire Council leader Councillor Iain Nicolson said the crossing had exceeded expectations in its first year.
He said: “It’s heartwarming to hear from residents and partners how much of a positive impact Renfrew Bridge has had on their day-to-day since it opened last May.
“More than 3.5 million crossings were made in under a year, far exceeding the numbers initially predicted, a testament to the transformative impact of this popular travel link.
“Communities in Renfrew, Clydebank, Yoker and the wider city region are now better connected to workplaces, leisure centres, hospitals and educational opportunities close to the Clyde waterfront.”
Residents on both sides of the river say the bridge has dramatically reduced travel times and made commuting easier.
Teresa Henry, from Clydebank, said she regularly walks across the bridge for exercise, shopping and travelling to work in Paisley.
She said: “The bridge has made a huge difference to me. I walk over all the time now.
“It’s really easy for me to get to work when I have to travel to Paisley; it’s 20 minutes instead of going over Erskine Bridge or the Clyde Tunnel.”
Kirsty Cochrane, who lives in Renfrew and works at Terumo Aortic, said the crossing had cut her commute from around 20 minutes to seven.
She also praised the bridge WhatsApp updates, describing them as “a real game changer” for planning journeys.
Mark Harris, who works at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland near Glasgow Airport, said the bridge had improved both his work and social life by making walking and cycling to work possible while reducing travel time to football training sessions in Renfrew.
West College Scotland principal Anne Campbell said the bridge had improved links between the college’s Paisley and Clydebank campuses, helping staff, students and partners travel more efficiently and strengthening collaboration across the region.