Garscube Bridge opens connecting North Glasgow communities

Scottish Canals have officially opened Garscube Bridge and Panmure Gate Link in the North of Glasgow, connecting communities on either side of the historic Forth & Clyde Canal.

The completion of works on the new bridge and link carried out by McKenzie Construction marks an important milestone in the delivery of the Claypits project. The opening connects the communities of Panmure Gate and Woodside, giving residents direct access to Scotland’s sustainable transport network along the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Connecting communities

“I’m really pleased that the Garscube Bridge has now opened as part of the Claypits project, connecting two communities in north Glasgow and providing easy access to nature within the city.

Completion of the bridge will reopen the Forth & Clyde Canal to boaters as well as providing travel and leisure options for walkers, runners and cyclists. It’s great to see partnership working encouraging more sustainable travel in our towns and cities through high quality infrastructure.”

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity

The state of the art Garscube Bridge will deliver much more than a walkway for the local community. Serving Scotland’s boating community, the new electronic bridge will allow boats to pass through the north of the city along the Forth and Clyde Canal. 

Important milestone

The new link from Panmure Gate to Garscube Bridge which runs on top of the canal boasts one of a kind views of nature and wildlife in North Glasgow. 

“The opening of Garscube Bridge and the Panmure Gate Link not only marks an important milestone for Scottish Canals and our partners in delivering the Claypits project as part of the wider regeneration in North Glasgow. 

I am delighted that this project will connect the communities of Panmure Gate and Woodside giving them access to an urban nature reserve in the heart of the city. The Claypits project will deliver long term health and wellbeing benefits to the local residents as well as an additional boost to the local economy.”

Catherine Topley, CEO of Scottish Canals

Garscube Bridge and Panmure Gate Link are both a key part of the £6m Claypits project which will deliver a local nature reserve in North Glasgow which is due to open in spring 2021. 

The project emerged from the Woodside, Firhill and Hamiltonhill Development Framework, which received a Living Waterway Award in 2018 in recognition of the project’s success in engaging local communities.

The project has been delivered in partnership with the community and local groups, notably, The Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group which consists of local residents with a passion to celebrate the incredible environment and greenspace around the Claypits.

“On behalf of the partnership, I am delighted to see the opening of the Garscube Bridge today; a project that will reconnect communities in the area. Accessibility and greenspace are two of the key goals of the canal partnership in Glasgow, and the Garscube Bridge and the new bridges and greenspace at Sighthill and Stockingfield will benefit thousands of existing, and future, residents in the area.

Councillor Allan Gow, Chair of the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership

The Claypits at Hamiltonhill were originally used to extract clay to line the Forth & Clyde Canal, in turn, the canal was used to power the industrial revolution which transformed the nation. The Claypits will now transform to meet the needs of the 21st century by becoming a local nature reserve which will be connected to Scotland’s sustainable transport network.

“The Garscube Bridge and the new boardwalk open up the Claypits Nature Reserve for locals living in Queen’s Cross and Firhill. It’s more important than ever now to have space to walk, cycle, relax and exercise outdoors, and we are pleased to have been able to support this vital new link through Places for Everyone.

The canal, nature reserve and their connection to the National Cycle Network are a gateway to city and the surrounding area, as well as an important resource for Glasgow’s biodiversity. This is a unique project – creating a wild greenspace in the heart of industrial land – and we are proud to have been part of it.”

Karen McGregor, Director of Scotland for Sustrans

The Claypits project was funded by 17 organisations including; Sustrans, Transport Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Canals, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.  

Associated key partners within the project include; The Scottish Government via Queens Cross Housing Association and the Local Nature Reserve Management Group.

The Claypits local nature reserve in North Glasgow is due to open in spring 2021.