Renfrew Bridge closed for months after Storm Boelo damage
From 28 October 2026, Renfrew Bridge over the Clyde is closed to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Renfrewshire Council says water damaged its control systems and the closure will last "a number of months".
Author: Editorial teamPublished: Region: Glasgow2 min read
Contents
Renfrew Bridge, a swing bridge over the River Clyde, will be closed to road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians for several months. The closure applies from 8pm on Wednesday 28 October 2026. The cause is extensive water damage during Storm Boelo, Renfrewshire Council has said.
What happened
According to the council, water got into the electronic systems and hydraulics on the Renfrew side. As a result, the bridge is not fully operational and cannot open normally for river traffic. The flooding affected one of the two plant rooms that house the bridge's operating equipment.
The council says a tidal surge on the Saturday night pushed the water level in Renfrew to 6.7 metres. That is the highest reading since digital records began in 1998 and more than twice the forecast level.
Why the bridge will not reopen to vehicles
The council is legally obliged to keep the Clyde open to river traffic. The bridge will therefore be temporarily opened (swung) so vessels can pass, which in practice closes the road between Renfrew and Yoker.
The council explains that only an emergency opening method is currently available, using hired equipment and a reduced number of working motors. Opening could take a couple of hours, and once open, the bridge could not be reliably closed and secured. The arrangement is therefore not suitable for everyday operation.
What happens next
Urgent work is under way to assess and repair the damage. The council is reviewing the circumstances of the failure and consulting partners to choose the best solution. It apologised for the disruption and said it wants to restore full operation and road access as soon as possible. No exact reopening date has been given.
The bridge, which opened in 2025, is the first opening road bridge across the Clyde and links Renfrew with Clydebank and Yoker.
What this means for you
People who normally cross the Clyde here, whether for work, school or shopping, will need to use other routes in the coming months. Renfrewshire Council publishes up-to-date information on the closure on its website.
Sources
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Photos
- Cover: „bridge, river, swing bridge, technology, structure”, author: Tho-Ge, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
- Photo 1: „flood, bank, water, there, tide”, author: Cobe68, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
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