NEW life-saving equipment is to be installed on the Clyde as part of efforts to revamp damaged river banks.

But the cost of repairing 315-metres of embankment at the Gorbals and Dalmarnock is to cost more than first thought.

Parts of Aledphi Street, Waterside Street and Carstairs Street collapsed in August last year after a gate within the Clyde Tidal Weir jammed, causing a dramatic drop in the river level.

City chiefs are now set to pay £7 million for embankment works and a state-of-the-art tidal weir control panel.

And improved safety measures, such as ropes and signage, are to be placed alongside the river.

Christine Francis, who is leading the tidal weir project, said: “The weir is situated at the west end of Glasgow Green and its function is to regulate the water level.

“In August 2017 one of the gates which regulates the water jammed and meant we couldn’t regulate the weir. Since then we’ve got some money to invest in the weir.

“There will be physical repairs to the gates and the control mechanisms will be looked at. They will be brought into the twenty first century.

“There is work on the embankment, the cost was to be £6m but that will now be £7m for the full repair and full functionality.

“There are some cheaper options but they’ll not restore the full serviceability that we had.

“What happened before could happen again unless we take some steps to prevent that. The control system is a sensible and essential piece of kit we’ll need to manage the tidal weir going forward.”

The design of the new control panel and embankment works is set to begin next month with funding options, including a drawdown of City Deal cash, being looked at.

Robert Connelly, who sits on the city’s environment committee, said: “When it happened a lot of the residents were very worried about the damage that was done to the banks.

“They’ve not been able to use these areas for quite some time.

“This is a very important project.”

But Jim Kavanagh insisted a cheaper option should have been sought.

He said: “I’m acutely aware how technology moves on and the council are looking for the modern-day gadgets that tick all the boxes.

“The mechanical system that was fitted 120 years ago proved adequate.

“The money we’ve allocated should be used to look at other options in times of austerity. If the people in the street have to face cuts, the council has to look at a fit for purpose system.”

Officers are hoping that the work will be completed within three years.

Meanwhile it has been revealed that a petition for better safety equipment on the banks of the Clyde is being looked upon favourably.

Duncan Speirs and his wife Margaret, from Balornock, launched the petition after the death of their son Christopher, 28, in January 2016.

He slipped on the banks of the river after a night out and despite attempts by police officers to save him, he drowned.

In response to that petition, Glasgow City Council officer Andy Waddell said: “What’s been in development for last month is an action plan which commits to six actions including the attachment of ropes to lifelines and improved signage.”

That work is expected to coincide with the tidal weir project.