6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Clyde mission regeneration programme. (S6O-02461)

On 28 August, the First Minister confirmed that leadership of the Clyde mission will move from the Scottish Government to local authorities in the Glasgow city region and Argyll and Bute. The Government is committed to empowering our regions to drive economic development that is focused as much on wellbeing as it is on growing our economy.

The Scottish Government remains a partner in the Clyde mission, investing £1.5 million in a new master plan. Alongside previous investment of £13.6 million and a commitment of £25 million to new heat decarbonisation projects, total Scottish Government investment will top £40 million.

Ensuring that Glasgow

’s communities are better connected is a perennial discussion that I have with my stakeholders in the constituency. The pedestrian bridge that will connect Partick, which is in my constituency, and Govan across the river will go a long way towards achieving connection between communities that are cut off from each other.

What further projects does the Government foresee to better connect communities and improve the lives of those who live in them?

I agree that connectivity between communities is crucial and that the new bridge connecting Govan and Partick is a very exciting project. There are other similar projects in Glasgow, such as the recently opened Sighthill pedestrian bridge. That was funded by the Glasgow city region deal, which the Scottish Government supported, and has huge potential to improve the connections between communities for work and leisure. I am also aware of the £2.3 million of Scottish Government investment into the regeneration of the Govan graving docks, which will be used to deliver new greenspace and address existing barriers to access to the riverfront for communities.