9.21 Resolving the long-term stability and future use of the quay walls will require significant expenditure. There may be potential to narrow the River by building out from the line of the existing walls. The value of the additional development land created may partly offset the costs of resolving problems with the quay walls. The effect, on the speed of flows, of narrowing the River at specific locations and any consequent natural scouring that would help reduce further siltation, needs to be examined. Should this approach prove feasible, consideration should be given to creating a lower level deck at points where the River is narrowed and along other sections of the bank that require repair. Such action might help facilitate safe access to the water’s edge and allow for the launch of small boats.
9.22 In 1994, significant flooding occurred on the Clyde/Kelvin, with floodwater from the Kelvin flowing through disused railway tunnels to affect buildings at the SECC and the adjacent transport infrastructure. Attenuation measures, to control the flow of water into the river systems upstream of Glasgow, will need to be combined with action to control tidal flows.
9.23 Tidal flows can be controlled either by a tidal weir or by a tide-excluding barrage. A tidal weir would provide an upstream pool of water for recreational use but, as with the existing weir, would be overtopped by high tides. To protect against tidal flooding, the construction of flood defence walls along the River, on top of the existing quay walls, would be necessary. A tide-excluding barrage, combined with a weir, would provide both a pool of water for recreational purposes and a defence against tidal flooding, without the need for further works to the quay walls that might hinder development and access. The design of such a structure in the River would have to take into account the passage of River traffic, the migration of fish and other animals and the build-up of silts upstream due to the reduced speed of flow.
9.24 The construction of a tidal barrage west of the Clyde/Kelvin confluence would complement attenuation measures being taken upstream on the Kelvin and reduce the likelihood of future flood inundation. Overcoming the threat of flooding would represent an important step towards increasing developer confidence in the potential of land adjacent to the River. Combining the barrage with a weir would also allow water levels between Partick and Glasgow Green to be raised and stabilised and for the resulting captured water to be exploited as a positive recreational feature. New links are important to breaking down the perception of the River as a barrier between communities. Narrowing the River could make the provision of any new bridges, linking the north and south banks, less expensive.
The City Council will bring forward an environmentally sustainable strategy for the management, repair and development of river infrastructure taking account of flood risk, flow regimes and the redesign of quay walls.
