Regulations for Workboats Operating Upstream of the Tidal Weir & Pipe Bridge at Glasgow Green
- Glasgow City Council Land & Environmental Services, and Glasgow Humane Society who will in turn notify relevant river users
- Date & time of passage upstream through the weir
- Date & time of departure downriver through the weir
- Arrangements for berthing/mooring upstream of the weir **
- Confirm knowledge of area of navigation for type of craft being used
- Confirm knowledge of local Rules & Guidelines
Further details and explanation of “Safe” use of River Clyde upstream ofthe west side (downstream side) of the Albert Bridge
Note that it is the west side of the Albert Bridge that the Port Authority regulations cease, and although the river is tidal to Boggleshole Ford Cambuslang, it is not navigable that far.
Launching in the tidal section of the River Clyde in this area should only be from recognised launching areas or by special permission.
Embarkation and disembarkation should only be from recognised landing stages.
Craft coming upstream of the tidal weir should notify the Land Services Department of GCC of their intention in advance and follow any advice given.
Commercial craft coming upstream through the tidal weir or operating upstream of the tidal weir should notify the following:
- Police Scotland Glasgow
- Glasgow City Council Land and Environmental Services
- Glasgow Humane Society
- All river users, including the Rutherglen Cruising Club, Rowing Clubsand canoe Clubs.
This notification should include the following:
- Duration and Location of the work being undertaken
- Place of mooring if overnight stay isrequired
On no account will craft be left tied to riverbank or bridges etc. overnight. Arrangements for overnight stay must be made in advance of coming upstream of the weir and must be at a recognised landing stage. (Or a boat can be such that it can be lifted from the river, for the night). Craft are neverleft accessible when unattended.
A working knowledge of the tides and the window of access through the weir gates are paramount.
Any dangers (limit of safe navigation), hidden obstacles (piling below the surface, cars just under the surface, posts of old bridges just below the surface, shallows, possible covered islands), etc. should be learned of in advance of coming upstream of the weir. This knowledge is available from the Glasgow Humane Society, who are the Glasgow Council Safety Advisers for the River Clyde.
There are Rules and Regulations for the safe use of this section of the River by rowers and canoeists. Cognisance of these Rules and Regulations is recommended.
All powered craft using this section are at all times responsible for their wash, and must pass landing stages dead slow.
All powered craft using this section must have an effective secondary means of propulsion in event of engine loss. This is especially important due to proximity of weir and fast flowing stream.
The interest that the Glasgow Humane Society has is in the safe use of the river, upstream of the Albert Bridge as the Peel (Clydeport) regulations control downstream.
The above Rules were drawn up in 2004 after several instances of non-safe practice by third parties who were obviously not cognisant of safe behaviour in this area. The Rules were again recently brought to GCCLES attention after similar unsafe practice had been observed and noted.
We also have Rules and Guidelines for use by the regular boat users upstream of the weir, drawn up by the Glasgow Humane Society on behalf of the Rowing Community ratified by the Water Safety Group.
These Rules and Guidelines are available «here». In the interest of safety, we would expect such matters to be carefully studied in order that all parties know exactly what is expected of them. Safety is paramount and no-one wishes to see an accident occur during such workings or from others subsequently copying any bad practice observed.
