9.2 While owners of the riverbed and riverbanks include the Council, Clydeport plc, the Crown and the private sector, it is the Council that has a duty, in law, to manage and maintain the River, its bed and banks, with a view to mitigating the risk of flooding. This involves the regular inspection of the banks, arranging for maintenance as necessary, making assessments of the river flows and identifying areas susceptible to flooding. Reports of the findings and works undertaken are published regularly by the Council.

River Clyde in the City Centre

9.3 Although the use of the River has declined, a limited number of important users and functions remain. Govan is now the upper limit for commercial cargo operations on the River, with King George V Dock the principal focus for activity. The shipyards downstream of Govan access the water for launches and mooring while the PS Waverley sails upstream as far as its mooring at Anderston Quay. Yorkhill basin, just upstream of the Kelvin, is currently used for visiting naval and other vessels and the tall ship, the SV Glenlee, is berthed at Yorkhill Quay. The Euroyachts (Largs) boatyard at Windmillcroft Quay, operates unrestricted by the available water depth and occasional small craft sail upstream to the boatyard at Rutherglen.

9.4 The River’s industrial heritage meant that there was little opportunity for recreation spaces adjacent to the River. Those that exist today either pre-date the industrial revolution, such as Glasgow Green, or have emerged as narrow strips associated with the Clyde Walkway, within individual riverside developments or on wider reclaimed dock areas. Many parts of existing walkways suffer as a result of poor initial design and subsequent maintenance and fail to address adequately, issues of safety. The lack of continuity of design and materials in developments that have taken place adjacent to the River has resulted in a disjointed, uncoordinated appearance.

9.5 The downturn in shipbuilding and port activities has removed the economic imperative to maintain the River’s infrastructure. The maintenance of navigable water depth in the River is the responsibility of Clydeport. While Clydeport, as harbour authority, has the powers to dredge the River, it has no obligation to do so. Upstream of the Lower Harbour, dredging operations are no longer carried out, with a consequent impact on the river’s depth. Visible siltation is now apparent at low tide along parts of Clyde Place Quay.

9.6 Navigation is restricted upstream of the Broomielaw by the air draught available at the bridges across the Clyde. Following the cessation of dredging between King George V Bridge and Govan, siltation has increased and use by larger vessels is now dependent on the tides.

9.7 Quay wall maintenance by the various riparian owners, particularly west from the City Centre, has not been carried out in a consistent manner and along much of this section of the River, quay walls are now in poor condition. Because of this lack of maintenance, quay wall collapse could become a possibility along certain stretches of the River. The cessation of dredging and the consequent build-up of silt, however, is likely to have had a beneficial effect on the stability of the quay walls. If the matter is not addressed, further deterioration of the walls, with eventual bank collapse and restricted public access on safety grounds, may result.

9.8 In the past, activity on the River generated a significant number of cross-river trips using ferries, including those at Finnieston/Kingston, Partick/Govan and Yoker/Renfrew. Only the Yoker/Renfrew pedestrian ferry remains operational. Movement along the River corridor is significantly better on the north bank than on the south bank, with the Clyde Walkway and the Glasgow to Loch Lomond Cycle route, part of the National Cycle Network, complementing main east/west roads and railway lines. Restrictions to movement on the south bank have been caused by unlinked development.

9.9 The potential for flooding from the River Clyde within Glasgow, downstream of the tidal weir situated at the western end of Glasgow Green, is principally influenced by tides in combination with tidal surges resulting from adverse wind and weather conditions. The River’s large tidal range contributes to the problem. With increased siltation and the predicted sea level increases associated with climate change, there is a real risk that a one in 200 year tidal/fluvial event will result in floods that will have a significant impact on the City. A Tidal Surge Warning System has been developed in partnership with Local Authorities downstream of Glasgow and with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), that should provide the City with up to 36 hours warning of a potential tidal flooding event. Upstream of the tidal weir, river flow has the greatest impact on flooding.

9.10 Water quality has improved dramatically over the past twenty years and further improvements will only be marginal. Pollution from sewage will be reduced with the upgrading of the Shieldhall and Daldowie Treatment Plants.

Clyde Auditorium - "Armadillo"

9.11 In addition to the historic quay walls that define the River’s edge, there are a number of important buildings and structures that reflect the Clyde’s proud heritage. The listed buildings within the City Centre, together with the Finnieston Crane, the North and South Rotundas, the Four Winds Building and the Pumphouse (home to the tall ship SV Glenlee), make positive statements about the Clyde’s past. Govan Graving Docks are an important legacy from an era when the Clyde dominated the world shipbuilding industry. Not all of the River’s heritage is visible above ground. At the Clyde/Kelvin confluence, timber quays, buried docks, ramps and other structures of historic significance are present. Despite the industrial and development activity that has taken place along the River over many years, the Clyde remains an important wildlife corridor, particularly upstream of Glasgow Green.

9.12 The main visitor attractions on the north bank are the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, the Clyde Auditorium and the Tall Ship (the SV Glenlee). On the south bank there is the Quay leisure complex and the new Science Centre, IMAX Cinema and Tower at Pacific Quay. A significant stretch of the north bank, from the west end of the SECC to the Clyde Tunnel, is affected by the Glasgow Harbour proposal for mixed leisure, commercial, retail and residential development. Atlantic Quay continues to be developed as a modern commercial centre and the new Mirror Group complex represents the first phase in the redevelopment of the area west of the Kingston Bridge.