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Govan Community Council have submitted the petition calling for the bridge to be called The Mary Barbour Bridge to commemorate the political activist in the hope it may encourage visitors to explore Govan. The bridge, which opened in 2024, saw 1.4 million crossings in the first year. Glasgow City council officials previously suggested there is “no intention for the name to be anything other than the Govan-Partick Bridge given the important role that the structure will play in reinstating the historic link between the communities”, according to a report. Others have suggeseted the bridge should be named to pay tribute to Billy Connolly, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jimmy Reid and the Merchant Navy. At a council meeting next week, Govan councillor Dan Hutchison will propose a motion for the community council’s petition to receive a hearing within six weeks. The petition reads: “Govan Community Council feels the renaming of the bridge would be a fitting and significant tribute to a key figure in our city’s history. It adds: “We also hope it might provide educational and practical benefits. Mrs Barbour is already commemorated with a statue at Govan Cross. With the new bridge, Govan is now the closest subway station for visitors to the Riverside Museum. Thousands of people will pass the Mary Barbour Statue. “Linking the bridge with the statue might encourage them to learn more about Mary Barbour and the other heritage attractions in Govan, such as the Govan Stones and the Fairfield Heritage Centre. We would like people to spend time in Govan and not just pass through it on their way to the museum.” Councillor Hutchison will bring his motion to the wellbeing, equalities, communities, culture and engagement city policy committee.
