A BRIDGE from Clydebank to Renfrew is “back on the table”, councillors have been told.

The £67million project had been virtually killed off by Renfrewshire Council earlier this year as they decided to focus on other infrastructure ideas.

But now, it is supposedly being favoured again, even as the decision on whether it ever happens has been left with the Scottish Government.

And it’s emerged it will shave just seven minutes off travel time to the airport area, despite the multi-million pound cost.

Because of its location, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and Glasgow City councils are all involved, but only councillors on West Dunbartonshire’s planning committee have ever taken a vote, knocking it back.

Councillor Gail Casey, who supported the bridge on that committee, told the full council meeting last week: “As one of the only councillors who voted for the bridge, I’m delighted to see it’s back on the table. I’m quite optimistic about that.”

Renfrewshire Council told the Post all local authorities in the City Deal region had agreed on the benefits of the bridge.

But in West Dunbartonshire’s meeting, council leader Jonathan McColl said they had taken no decision as a local authority.

Speaking in a personal capacity, he said: “Planning does not agree with it. Personally, I’m not a fan of the bridge and it will cause traffic problems and there’s a risk, albeit not a huge risk, of causing detriment to the shopping centre.

“It’s a huge cost when all it does, according to the Renfrewshire team, is reduce travel time to the airport area by seven minutes. I don’t think that’s value for money.”

Peter Hessett, the council’s top lawyer, told the meeting his last update was the Scottish Government had appointed a new reporter to the planning decision so “we would anticipate a delay”.

In a statement, Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “All councils in the Glasgow City region approved the updated outline business case for the Clyde Waterfront Renfrew Riverside project at the cabinet in August, recognising that the economic growth boost potential from the project of £867m is the greatest of all the city region projects and brings substantial benefits for communities on both sides of the Clyde and the wider city region.

“There will be improved access to thousands of new jobs as a result of the investment attracted through the economic regeneration of the Clyde Waterfront.

“It is expected to create more than 2,360 jobs, including 478 to build the bridge and connecting roads, while business growth and new company creation as a result of the project will bring 795 permanent posts.

“The project will greatly improve access to centres of employment, education, health and leisure for communities on both sides of the river and it will also link communities in the city region to a new investment area being developed next to Glasgow Airport.”