A £117million bridge which only opened last year breaks down amid floods during storm
Renfrew Bridge, which opened in May 2025 at a cost of £117 million, will remain closed for several months after Storm Boelo damaged its electrical systems. The closure matters because the bridge links Renfrew with Yoker and provides a route to two major hospitals, so people who rely on it will need to change their journeys.
The bridge swings open using hydraulics powered by electrical systems in operating rooms on both sides of the River Clyde; the Renfrew-side equipment suffered significant damage. The council reported more than 3.5 million crossings between June 2026 and April, and says the Clyde must remain open to river traffic while repairs are carried out. The storm also left 620 Scottish homes and businesses without power on Wednesday, with engineers working to restore supplies.
In short
- Storm damage has closed Renfrew Bridge for months.
- Its Renfrew-side electrical systems need repair.
- The closure affects a route used to reach two hospitals.
Explained simply
Renfrew Bridge crosses the River Clyde in west Scotland, linking the town of Renfrew with Yoker, in Glasgow. It is a movable bridge: electrical systems and hydraulics allow it to swing open for boats using the river.
The bridge provides a route towards two major hospitals, and the council says it has carried millions of crossings since opening. When it is unavailable, people travelling between the areas need to use other routes. Repair work must also take account of river traffic, as the Clyde remains open to boats.