The closure of the Renfrew Ferry on 31 May 2025 marked the end of a service that had connected communities across the Clyde for over two centuries. The ferry operator, who ran the service without subsidy, was left with no viable option after the opening of the new Renfrew Bridge led to a sharp drop in passenger numbers.

We fully recognise this wasn’t an easy decision, and we thank those who kept the service running as long as they could. But the impact on local people has been immediate and significant. School pupils, elderly residents and commuters now face much longer, more complex journeys and the bridge, while welcome, doesn’t fully replace the ferry, especially when it lifts for river traffic.

And crucially: the new Renfrew Bridge isn’t always open. As a swing bridge, it regularly closes for river traffic, sometimes for hours at a time. During those periods, pedestrians, cyclists, and road users are left with no quick or easy alternative. The ferry offered a consistent route regardless of ship traffic, something the bridge can’t match

We’re calling on Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to explore all options and keep this historic route alive, before it’s lost for good.

• It’s one of Scotland’s oldest river crossings, with a ferry at Renfrew recorded as early as the 15th century.
• The ferry has outlived all other Clyde crossings in Glasgow – including Govan, Partick, Finnieston and Whiteinch – making it the last of its kind.
• From the late 19th century until 1984, the Renfrew Ferry carried vehicles across the Clyde using chain-guided vessels with their own propulsion — a system many older locals still remember well.
• The crossing took less than 2 minutes, making it one of the shortest but most frequent ferry services in the UK.
• During World War II, the ferry served munitions workers and soldiers moving between industrial sites and docks on both banks of the Clyde.
• In 2010, public subsidies ended, and the ferry still ran for 15 more years on passenger fares alone – a rare feat in public transport.
• The Renfrew Ferry was a vital route for shipyard workers, especially during the Clyde's shipbuilding boom.
• In recent years, it was a favourite of cyclists and walkers, offering a safe, scenic shortcut across the river with a central drop-off in Renfrew town centre.
• One of its former boats was transformed into the Renfrew Ferry bar and music venue beside Glasgow’s Kingston Bridge – a nod to its cultural legacy.
• Generations of locals, including football fans and commuters, grew up using the ferry – making it not just a crossing, but a shared memory and community landmark.