Easing traffic congestion

stores on the ground between the George V dock and Renfrew Ferry, new

roads will be needed to take the expected extra 60,000 vehicles per week

visiting the site.

It has been suggested that a new interchange will be constructed on

the M8 on the Glasgow side of the Hillington roundabout which will take

traffic right into the complex.

This will suit the traffic coming from the Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew

side of the Clyde but traffic coming from Clydebank, Yoker, Helensburgh,

and Dumbarton will either have to use the Erskine Bridge or the Clyde

Tunnel then join the M8.

To alleviate this traffic congestion there are two other forms of

transport which have so far been overlooked.

The first is the railway line which branches off the Glasgow-Paisley

main line and proceeds to the large storage sheds in the Sheep's Park

(near the old Braehead Power station).

The second is the old Renfrew Ferry plying from Renfrew to Yoker. This

form of transport would take cars, lorries, and vans plus pedestrians

practically to Sainsbury's doorstep.

Very often there are hold-ups on the Kingston Bridge and the tunnel

due to damage or repairs. After the recent floodings in the Paisley and

Kilsyth areas one cannot rely on roads always being open to traffic.

Also the future of the Kingston Bridge is dicey (to say the least). It

is going to be closed for 14 days in 1995. The M8 traffic will have to

use the tunnel and the Clydeside expressway.

Strathclyde region highways committee should make use of what is

already on the ground before blasting millions of pounds on new

interchanges, etc.

It should also be noted that the Erskine Bridge has been under repair

for six months or more, necessitating long diversions on the Old

Kilpatrick side. It was reported that the hausers holding the bridge

were rusting. A similar bridge in Australia had a tragic end several

years ago.

R A P Caldwell,

27 Oxford Road,

Renfrew.