Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it is receiving legal and insurance advice after Renfrew Bridge had to close to road traffic for a number of months.
It comes after "extensive damage" was caused to electrical and hydraulic control equipment within one of two plant rooms during Storm Boelo.
Bridge closure details
The 184-metre twin-leaf bridge across the River Clyde, which connects Renfrew with Yoker, marked its one-year anniversary in May. But the local authority confirmed last week it needed to shut to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians during a period of investigation and remediation, while ensuring river traffic can operate normally.
An update was provided on the subject in a report to the infrastructure, land and environment policy board on Wednesday morning.
Investigation and contractual issues
It explained: "There are two plant rooms at the Renfrew Bridge, one on the Renfrew side and one on the Yoker side of the bridge. They are built to the same specification and height levels, the river level was the same on both sides of the river during the storm, however only the plant room on the Renfrew side sustained any water ingress and associated damage."
The plant rooms house the electronic systems controlling the bridge hydraulics which allows the bridge to open and close in a short period of time. "These electronic systems within the Renfrew plant room have sustained significant water damage, requiring detailed root cause investigation, assessment of the scale of damage and associated remedial works."
The bridge is within its two-year defects period and as such a contractual instruction has been issued under the contract for the contractor to source and identify any defects that could be responsible for the significant water ingress experienced in a single plant room in such a short period of time.
"Given this is a live contractual issue at present, there is a limit to the comments that can be made by officers at this current time. However, officers can advise the investigations into the incident have already commenced with further specialist investigations taking place this week and the council is being appropriately advised by external legal advisors and insurers to ensure the council's interests are appropriately protected during this process."
Impact and political response
The bridge was a focal part of the £117 million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project which aimed to open up work, health, education and leisure opportunities on both sides of the Clyde. It has facilitated millions of crossings. Its closure has come as a blow to residents and businesses on both sides of the river.
The report added: "Current assessments indicate that disruption may continue for a number of months while investigations, repairs and future resilience measures are completed. This is a complex investigation with multiple parties involved including, contractors, subcontractors, specialists and insurance agencies."
The situation prompted Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay to write to the council for clarification on potential costs and the length of closure. He said: "The public deserve answers and the restoration of this vital link as quickly and safely as possible. This is why I’ve written to the council asking a range of questions that need straight answers."
