A petition has been launched to save one of Scotland's oldest ferry crossings.
The Renfrew-Yoker ferry first began operating in 1790 and was a crucial transport link for workers in the shipbuilding industry, particularly when shipbuilding on the Clyde was at its peak.
A busy car ferry from 1950 until 1963 when the Clyde Tunnel opened to traffic a few miles upstream, it reverted to a passenger-only service in 1984.
SPT operated a subsidized passenger ferry service until 2010, before the ferry was taken over by private operator Clydelink (Silvers Marine).
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However, the ferry, which provided a link between the north and south banks of the Clyde, ceased operating with immediate effect on May 31 this year following the opening of the new £117 million Renfrew Bridge.
Clydelink said that, since the new bridge opened, passenger numbers dropped to such level that the ferry was "no longer viable to keep running".
The ferry, which was funded purely by passenger fares, previously sailed seven days a week between 6.30am and 6.30pm on weekdays and 10am and 6.30pm on weekends.
The petition to save the ferry has been started by local entrepreneur Gavin Divers, who founded charity Paisley Heritage in 2012 with the aim to promote the town's significant and proud history and culture.
The petition reads: "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."
Since being launched on Monday, the petition has received over 1,200 signatures. You can sign it here
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