Govan-Partick Bridge hits one million crossings

The new Govan-Partick Bridge at the heart of GRID has notched up more than one million pedestrian and cyclist crossings.

Since the public opening last September, there have been more than 820,000 crossings by pedestrians, and over 185,000 cyclist crossings.

A Glasgow City Region City Deal project, the bridge is significant economically, environmentally and socially through the link it provides not only between communities, but also a number of visitor attractions and institutions of national economic importance. 

Longest

The crossing is also a central part of the active travel route between the University of Glasgow’s campus at Gilmorehill and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

• Opening day and busy with people enjoying the crossing. Photo: Martin Shields

One of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe, the Govan - Partick Bridge has a width of six metres and two spans. 

The moving span, which weighs 650 tonnes, is 99 metres long and uses the South Pier (at Water Row) as its access; and the fixed span, which weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres long.

The Scottish and UK Governments each provided £12.685million in funding for the Bridge.

The Govan-Partick Bridge is key to and complements public and private sector investments such as the £38million UK Government Strength In Places funding to help the University of Glasgow and its partners develop new innovation spaces next to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital; the Water Row (housing and commercial) development; and proposals for more than 1,000 homes at Yorkhill Quay and the mixed-use redevelopment of Govan Graving Docks.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: “With the City Deal we’re quite literally building bridges between our communities along the Clyde.  Our expectations that the Govan-Partick Bridge would reconnect these historic communities have been exceeded with these fantastic figures. 

“It’s quickly become a key landmark in the city and a tremendously well-used travel route and will be critical to the continuing regeneration of our riverside and its surrounding communities in the years to  come.”

With the City Deal we’re quite literally building bridges between our communities along the Clyde.  Our expectations that the Govan-Partick Bridge would reconnect these historic communities have been exceeded with these fantastic figures.

Councillor Susan Aitken

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, said: “It is impressive to see the impact this bridge has made for communities across the River Clyde.  As well as improving access to jobs and visitor attractions, it has opened up travel between the University of Glasgow’s West End and Queen Elizabeth Hospital campuses for pedestrians and cyclists.  

“Construction was funded through the Glasgow City Region Deal, which we have supported with £520 million. This investment aims to create 29,000 jobs in the Greater Glasgow region by boosting housing, transport, business growth and research opportunities to improve outcomes for patients.”

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "A fantastic one million crossings in less than nine months is clear proof that this magnificent bridge across Glasgow's beloved Clyde has quickly become a cherished and vital piece of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. It is also a powerful reminder of how vital it is to bring people and places together. 

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• Popular with cyclists. Photo credit: GRID

“Part funded with more than £12 million UK Government investment, re-establishing this historic connection between Govan and Partick is boosting the economy, bonding communities and supporting redevelopment. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with partners to deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal."