'Squinty Bridge' is new pride of the Clyde

THE first new crossing of the Clyde in the centre of Glasgow for more than 30 years opened to traffic yesterday.

Nicknamed the Squinty Bridge, the 20 million Clyde Arc spans the river at a diagonal, linking Finnieston and the SECC to the Pacific Quay media quarter on the south bank.

The four-lane bridge's 140-metre span has been designed to cope with a future light transport system, such as trams.

The arched structure was opened by Steve Purcell, Glasgow's council leader, and Willie Haughey, the chairman of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, in a ceremony that was disrupted by local residents protesting at the extension of parking restrictions elsewhere in the city.

Mr Haughey said: "Getting this bridge open on time and on budget is a key milestone in the regeneration of this part of the river.

This crossing will open up [Pacific Quay] and the surrounding area to new development and investment opportunities."