Latest news with #GlasgowCityRegionDeal
The Herald Scotland
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'We are not alone in our disappointment' for Glasgow
Here is a practical example of both national governments supporting a local partnership of business, academia and city council to encourage regional economic growth. It would have been even more cheering if we had arrived home to find that Glasgow and its city region were benefitting from a similar approach in the comprehensive spending review. All it would have taken was a single sentence saying that the UK and Scottish governments would be working together to establish long-term flexible funding deals for Scottish cities to match those already sorted out for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. No such sentence appeared. Read more: Instead, I found myself reading Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Darren Jones, arguing that in Scotland the decision to "empower the city regions rests firmly with the Scottish Government". If he really believes that, we are at risk of stepping back a decade in time. Eleven years ago, it was the UK and Scottish governments that together announced the £1.3 billion Glasgow City Region Deal. That deal was the first of many in Scotland, each designed in collaboration with local stakeholders to demonstrate how joint working between both governments can initiate real empowerment on the ground. The chamber, senior business leaders and leading academics have all invested time and energy to help create the structures and capabilities of the Glasgow City Region. We did so in the belief that there was good faith in their value being demonstrated by both the UK and Scottish governments. We were encouraged by decisions made by the last UK Government to allocate over £300 million in additional resources to help the city region grow. Read more: The most recent was the announcement of £160m for a 10-year investment zone supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing. The chamber was involved in the process for project selection and there were so many more exciting projects - and in many other industry sectors - that could have been funded had the money been available. We can see the region's growth potential and how it can be unlocked. Over time, we have become a vigorous advocate for regional devolution deals. We believe that many of the projects our members want to see - particularly in skills, infrastructure, and innovation - are best delivered at the regional level. Projects like the Clyde Metro transport system, our three university-led innovation districts for emerging industries, our city centre renewal plan and investment help to grow our airport and our conference centre, all demonstrate the kind of ambition that regional empowerment can unlock. We shouldn't really need to argue the importance of regional devolution deals with the UK Government. It sets out all the reasons in several papers, including its English Devolution White Paper: the UK's low productivity trap, the stagnation of living standards and the unusual economic underperformance of all the UK major cities outside London. The chamber had therefore asked for a devolution deal with long-term funding and greater flexibility, but there is no such deal being proposed for Glasgow – or for any other region in Scotland. Read more: Instead, Glasgow is offered confirmation of the investment zone announced by the previous government, a share in a new UK-wide local growth fund, and support from the National Wealth Fund. These are all welcome but the investment zone had already been announced and the local growth fund looks set to be small once funds have been allocated across the country. It is also unclear if those funds are expected to deliver on old commitments such as that for Greenock town centre. The National Wealth Fund's commitment to a strategic partnership with Glasgow City Region could be more promising, but it is unclear whether there will be any new funds under the control of the regional partnership. If it helps the region attract private finance for projects, it could still prove valuable. However, it appears from the outside to be more like working with a body such as the Scottish National Investment Bank than a genuine devolution deal. Read more: We are not alone in our disappointment. The London-based thinktank the Centre for Cities issued its own report describing Glasgow as the "missing piece in the big cities' jigsaw". Especially worrying is their assessment that the lack of a devolution deal "places Glasgow at risk of falling behind its comparators south of the border". And yes, of course the Scottish Government has a poor track record on regional devolution. So much of the momentum building behind Glasgow City Region has come from UK Government funding programmes. One notable exception was the Clyde Mission - a Scottish Government initiative that promised much but ultimately fizzled out and ended up being passed to the city region with approaching £30m in funding. Otherwise the Scottish Government has undoubtedly been slow to devolve. As one example, the announcement in the programme for government of £2m towards a Glasgow City Region response to maritime industry skills shortages was welcome, but there is a much bigger prize. Passing apprenticeship funding from Skills Development Scotland direct to the regions instead of to the Scottish Funding Council would be much a better long-term aim. Regional devolution has not been the Scottish Government's natural default, so all eyes have tended to fall on the UK Government. If Darren Jones is signalling that momentum on regional devolution is to be stalled until the Scottish Parliamentary elections next May, then sadly, so too the growth potential of Scotland's largest city region may be stalled as well. Stuart Patrick is chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
WhatsApp channel for new Renfrew Bridge now live
It will provide real-time updates on everything to do with the route. Councillor John Shaw confirmed the move on social media. The route, which officially opened to pedestrians and vehicles on May 9, connects Yoker and Clydebank directly to Renfrew. READ MORE: Fly-tipping shame causing 'apocalyptic' mess in Glasgow housing estate Completion of the 184-metre bridge marked the end of the £117m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project. This was led by Renfrewshire Council and funded as part of the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region Deal. You can join the channel by clicking here.
The Herald Scotland
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
One million crossings made over city bridge since opening
It towers over an area that, for at least 2,000 years, had a huge importance as a location where it was possible to ford the Clyde. 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 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. READ MORE: New figures released by Glasgow City Council show that, since the public opening last September, there have been more than 820,000 crossings of the bridge by pedestrians, and over 185,000 cyclist crossings. 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.' 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. The Govan - Partick Bridge is one of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe (Image: Colin Mearns/Herald) "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. "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."
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Vandalism appears on new Yoker-Renfrew road bridge
John Shaw, Renfrewshire Council councillor, took to social media to post a photo of a sticker which has appeared on the £117m bridge, which connects Yoker and Clydebank directly to Renfrew. (Image: Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT: Renfrew Bridge officially opens to vehicles and pedestrians The sticker is of Brian Limond, better known as Limmy, and his well-loved character Dee Dee. A picture of Dee Dee appears at the centre of a Saltire and reads 'Les Porter Tartan Army Yoker'. Councillor John Shaw wrote: "So the first reported vandalism on the bridge and it had to be Dee Dee! "Thankfully the Renfrew Tartan Army are a quiet, respectful lot who would never think of getting up to such mischief! "Joking aside though, gonnae no dae that!" It comes just days after a new mural in tribute to Dee-Dee appeared in Yoker. The mural replaces an existing one sprayed by the same artist. Glasgow-based artist 'Tef' posted a video of them completing the artwork on the side of a derelict building next to the Yoker Ferry, near to the new Renfrew bridge. READ NEXT: Drivers warned Glasgow's M8 works to close road for nearly a month The new bridge will accommodate vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians - as well as opening for passing ships. The project was led by Renfrewshire Council and funded as part of the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region Deal. The Renfrew Bridge has been installed on Meadowside Street on the Renfrewshire side and on Dock Street in Clydebank.
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Renfrew Bridge officially opens to vehicles and pedestrians
The crossing will accommodate vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians - as well as opening for passing ships. Members of the public were pictured taking selfies as they walked over the structure, as large numbers turned out during the nice weather. The bridge over the River Clyde from Renfrew to Yoker opened to vehicles, cycles and pedestrians at midday on Friday, May 9. (Image: Colin Mearns) Cyclists preparing to cross the bridge (Image: Colin Mearns) Motorists also took advantage of the crossing, with some vintage cars spotted. READ MORE: Renfrew Bridge welcomes public across Glasgow's River Clyde The completion of the 184-metre bridge, connecting Yoker and Clydebank directly to Renfrew, marked the end of the £117m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project. Pedestrians and vehicles pictured using the crossing (Image: Colin Mearns) Members of the public take pictures as they walk across the bridge for the first time (Image: Colin Mearns) This was led by Renfrewshire Council and funded as part of the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region Deal. The Renfrew Bridge has been installed on Meadowside Street on the Renfrewshire side and on Dock Street in Clydebank. Allan de Woronin drives an Austin 7 over the bridge (Image: Colin Mearns) The bridge connects Renfrew and Yoker (Image: Colin Mearns) It provides a direct link between the two towns for the first time. The official opening followed a ceremony on Thursday celebrating the launch of the new crossing.
