To be funded through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, the pedestrian / cycle bridge will be renew the historical connection between the two areas and will be able to open to ensure that vessels such as Waverley will still be able to berth up-stream.

CH2M Hill (formerly Halcrow) has previously delivered a number of bridges across the River Clyde, including the Clyde Arc, the Dalmarnock Smart Bridge and the Tradeston Bridge.

The consultancy’s Glasgow office will develop the design of the bridge, with construction work expected to begin in 2019.

Support for a bridge between Govan and Partick was one of the most popular themes of a three-day charrette (workshop) involving members of the community from both areas that looked to establish a shared vision of the future. Most of those taking part felt that the bridge should cross from Water Row in Govan to either the Glasgow Harbour East site or a location beside the Riverside Museum, and a feasibility study will examine the most appropriate site for this.

Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Govan and Partick shared a connection for centuries, and with so much regeneration happening in both communities, the time has come for this bridge to further and strengthen their development. I am delighted to see the beginning of work on this, the next phase of the regeneration of the Clyde.”

This new connection across the Clyde will stimulate economic growth and improve links between the University of Glasgow campus and the hub of high-tech research facilities located at the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH).

It is hoped that the bridge will have a significant positive impact on the regeneration of Govan by re-positioning it at the heart of a triangle of economic opportunity created by the University to the North, the QEUH campus to the west and Pacific Quay to the east.

The new bridge will also strengthen the existing circuit of visitor attractions on either bank of the river.