The Clyde Waterfront project is an ambitious 25-year programme to regenerate along both sides of the river from Old Kilpatrick and Erskine in the west right into the heart of Glasgow city centre.

The Clyde Waterfront partnership between the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, Renfrewshire Council and Communities Scotland aims to breath new life into the area by generating massive inward investment.

Changes can already be seen in Clydebank with the new Clydebank College and enterprise zone, which will be accompanied by over 400 new homes and a modern leisure centre.

The showpiece at the heart of the town’s waterfront regeneration is the Titan Crane, which has just finished its first season as the town’s newest tourist attraction.

Under the stewardship of Clydebank Rebuilt – a joint venture between West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire - and the guidance of the local community, the crane has been transformed from an industrial power tool to an iconic emblem of the town’s proud shipbuilding heritage.

Bridie Casey, Clydebank Re-built lead officer for public consultation and economic strategy, said: "Although we only own 16 acres of land on the Waterfront we want to ensure the community derive the greatest benefits from the whole regeneration process. "So when issuing contracts we work with contractors to encourage them to guarantee they will employ local people where possible and in the longer term set up apprenticeship schemes.

"Through the Construction Alliance we have excellent relationships in place with partners and the private sector, who recognise the importance of community involvement at all levels."

Former shipyard worker, Alan Adams is back at his old place of work – although this time employed by Clydebank Rebuilt as a heritage guide to take visitors up to the Titan Crane’s viewing platform.

He said: "I worked as a welder at John Brown’s from when I left school in 1965 until they shut. "It’s strange to see it the way it is now compared to how it was. I had been up the Titan Crane when it was operational – it’s a lot cleaner now – and you get an amazing view from the top and an idea of just how big the yards were."

Fellow heritage guide Liz Davis added: "My dad used to work in John Brown’s and I remember waiting for him to come out of the gates, I never thought I would be working there myself."

A crucial factor in the regeneration of the Clyde Waterfront is improved transport infrastructure and a number of new projects are in the pipeline.They include the Clyde Fastlink – a tram-style system of hi-tech buses running on dedicated tracks that will run into the heart of Glasgow – and the North Clydeside Development Route as well as looking at the feasibility

of river taxis ferrying passengers along the Clyde.

Stuart Beith, Clyde Waterfront Project Manager, explained: "Glasgow is already witnessing a huge economic growth particularly in the financial services sector, creative industry and leisure and tourism.

"By having the transport infrastructure in place we can ensure that people from West Dunbartonshire and throughout this regeneration area can share in this economic growth."

The new Southern Hospital and increased facilities at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank are also set to result in a boom in health sector jobs.

For more information about Clyde Waterfront and the wide range of projects they are involved in visit http://www.clydewaterfront.com/