A new £50 million bridge is being planned to connect two communities over the River Clyde.

The road bridge, which will open to let vessels pass up and down the river, would link Yoker, in the west of the city, with Renfrew.

The project, which is being led by Renfrewshire Council, is likely to begin in 2018 or 2019.

Once complete, the bridge will provide residents with quicker access to Braehead shopping mall and Glasgow Airport.

The project is part of the £1.13 billion City Deal for the Glasgow region, which will see the UK and Scottish Governments each give £500m of extra investment. The councils in the region will supplement this by borrowing £130m.

The money is being used to pay for major infrastructure and roads projects in a bid to boost the area’s economy by £2.4bn annually.

Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “Renfrewshire is at the forefront of the £1.13bn City Deal programme, with projects to develop the long-awaited rail link to Glasgow Airport and further development at Clyde Waterfront/Renfrew Riverside.

“A road bridge connecting Renfrew and Yoker is another key project which will bring benefits to communities on both sides of the Clyde.

“The bridge will support further private sector investment and job creation, with improved access to investment opportunities at Glasgow Airport and Inchinnan Business Park.”

He said the cost is likely to be “in the region of £50m with a potential start date of 2018 or 2019”.

He added: “Obviously, things are at an early stage but it is likely that the design and engineering solution will need to accommodate some form of opening or moveable structure so that navigation can continue on the river.

“That should make for a spectacular sight once the bridge is in place.”