Latest news with #AngusMillar
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Work on Glasgow street to start soon and last two years
The changes will see the work that has already been done to the southern stretch of the street continue northwards. It will include the continuation of the segregated cycle lanes, creating a link from Great Western Road at the Botanic Gardens to Dumbarton Road, which then links to the wider city cycle routes and the National Cycle Network. Read More: (Image: GT) Pavements will be widened to create more space for pedestrians in street that is busy with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It will also shorten crossing points to make it easier for people to get from one side to the other and step step-free crossings at the side streets. There will be work at key corners along the street with seating put in place, similar to work done further down the street. The project is being mostly funded though the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which also funds the city centre Avenues Project. Glasgow City Council said the work on the southern half of [[Byres Road]] and Church Street has been a success which has led to fewer empty retail units. (Image: Newsquest) Work will start next month and take two years, with a completion date of August 2027. Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate at [[Glasgow City Council]], said: 'The first phase of the public realm improvement works at [[Byres Road]] has been a great success, creating a more attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors. 'The second phase of these works will extend the transformation of this key street, upgrading pavements and improving the pedestrian experience as well as introducing safer cycle infrastructure and greater greenery to the area.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Work on West End street to start soon and last two years
From the junction at University Avenue/Highburgh Road to Great Western Road, the famous West End street will undergo a redevelopment. The changes will see the work that has already been done to the southern stretch of the street continue northwards. It will include the continuation of the segregated cycle lanes, creating a link from Great Western Road at the Botanic Gardens to Dumbarton Road, which then links to the wider city cycle routes and the National Cycle Network. READ NEXT:All the latest changes to Glasgow city centre streets explained (Image: GT) Pavements will be widened to create more space for pedestrians in street that is busy with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It will also shorten crossing points to make it easier for people to get from one side to the other and step step-free crossings at the side streets. There will be work at key corners along the street with seating put in place, similar to work done further down the street. READ NEXT:These are the official top 5 things to do in Glasgow city centre The project is being mostly funded though the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which also funds the city centre Avenues Project. Glasgow City Council said the work on the southern half of Byres Road and Church Street has been a success which has led to fewer empty retail units. (Image: Newsquest) Work will start next month and take two years, with a completion date of August 2027. Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate at [[Glasgow City Council]], said: 'The first phase of the public realm improvement works at Byres Road has been a great success, creating a more attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors. 'The second phase of these works will extend the transformation of this key street, upgrading pavements and improving the pedestrian experience as well as introducing safer cycle infrastructure and greater greenery to the area.'
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Explained: the latest plans for Glasgow city centre streets
The latest plans for the City Centre Avenues project involve changes to key streets, including public transport routes and around city centre train stations. Which Streets are changing? Argyle Street (Image: GCC) The street from Queen Street to Stockwell Street/Glassford Street has been pedestrian-only since the 1970s. The new Argyle Street East Avenue project will run from Union Street/ Jamaica Street to Glasgow Cross. A one-way west-to-east bus route will pass through the pedestrianised section of the street, aimed at creating much shorter journey times and better public transport connections. The pedestrian zone is to be opened up and as well a the bus lane down the centre, a cycle lane will be created to the south of the busy street. Queen Street and Ingram Street Plans in the area will include a newly designed Queen Street and Ingram Street to make the area outside the Gallery of Modern Art more pedestrian-friendly. (Image: GCC) Permitting buses to travel east along Argyle Street will take traffic away from Queen Street and Ingram Street allowing changes to be made. New surfacing and wider 'level crossings' outside GoMA will give pedestrians more priority. More greenery and planters are planned to improve the appearance. (Image: GCC) The work will link into the redevelopment of George Square due to be completed in the second half of next year. (Image: GCC) (Image: GCC) Why are the changes being made? Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery and Transport, said: 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about readying these famous streets for the century ahead. 'Recent decades have been tough for this part of town but we're seeing new turnaround developments on Trongate, major new retail offerings on Argyle Street and global employers investing in new headquarters just further west. That's real confidence in our city centre. 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about creating the conditions for more of that. But also, giving Glaswegians a greener, more attractive city centre with an international look and feel they can be proud of.' When will work start? Contractors are being invited to bid for contracts and work is expected to start next year. How much will it cost? No specific costs have been publicly revealed but the work is part of the wider £120m Avenues Project. Who is paying for it? The funding for the Avenues projects is from the Glasgow City Region Deal, which was jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments with half a billion pounds each. Will there be cycle lanes? There will be a cycle lane along the current stretch of Argyle Street that is pedestrian only. What do people think? The Glasgow Times asked people on Argyle Street this week about the plan. Victoria Wilson was in town with her two year-old son Ollie. (Image: Newsquest) She said: 'There is plenty of room for a bus lane and for people to walk. I think it would be fine. 'The street is not as busy as it was years ago. If it makes it easier to get the bus, that's good.' Chris Seton, from Larbert, is a regular visitor. (Image: Newsquest) He said: I used to do a lot of driving in Glasgow. It has become difficult to get around. If buses can go right along the street it's a good idea. Improvement always helps.' Another man in town with his granddaughter who wished to be anonymous, said: ' I suppose if it's going to help people get around its not too bad. 'If it helps the buses move quicker, that's good.' Opinion online was less than favourable. Comments included: 'This is another reduction in space for pedestrians!' 'Don't allow vehicles through Argyle Street.' 'A road on Argyle Street, why are we going back the way? What a waste of money and public spaces.' What do you think? Let us know in the comments and at
STV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
New images of Argyle Street revamp released as part of £120m project
New images show how part of Glasgow's Argyle Street could be transformed under plans to make the key thoroughfare 'more attractive' to residents, visitors and investors. Glasgow City Council is working on the Argyle Street East Avenue project, which will see the revamp of a stretch from Glasgow Cross to Central Station. Under the scheme, pavements will be widened, new green areas developed and a new west-to-east bus route created. Work is set to begin in early 2026. It is part of the wider £120m-plus Avenues programme under way across the city centre, which is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. Cllr Angus Millar, SNP, the council's convener for city centre recovery and transport, said: 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about readying these famous streets for the century ahead. 'Recent decades have been tough for this part of town but we're seeing new turnaround developments on Trongate, major retail offerings on Argyle Street and global employers investing in new headquarters just further west. That's real confidence in our city centre. 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about creating the conditions for more of that. But also, giving Glaswegians a greener, more attractive city centre with an international look and feel they can be proud of.' LDRS A pedestrian-friendly zone is planned on Ingram Street. Image from Glasgow City Council The council has published a prior information notice to gauge interests from firms who may wish to bid for the project contract. This project will link in with ongoing work at the western end of Argyle Street, and when completed will 'help transform the look and feel of the street from the M8 to the Gallowgate', the council has said. Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: 'The move to significantly enhance both the functionality and appeal of a key part of Glasgow city centre is a welcomed development. 'Creating a more attractive environment for businesses, residents and visitors, while improving connectivity between our transport hubs, is essential to Glasgow's long-term economic recovery. 'Although the Avenues programme is complex, using a combination of lessons learned from previous phases alongside continued engagement with business, it is hoped there will be limited impact on the trading environment.' LDRS A pedestrian-friendly zone is planned on Ingram Street. Image from Glasgow City Council The project is set to include a new bus route through the pedestrianised section of the street, which the council has said will create much shorter journey times and better public transport connections. It will also 'create the conditions to accelerate work to create more pedestrian-priority spaces and reduce traffic' around Queen Street, Ingram Street and Candeleriggs. Engagement with the local community around these streets is planned in the coming weeks. The council's plans have been welcomed by some transport operators and passenger groups. Dr George Hazel OBE, chair of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership, said they would deliver faster, more reliable journey times. He added: 'This makes public transport a more attractive and convenient option, encouraging people to make fewer car journeys which reduces congestion and contributes towards a more equitable and sustainable transportation system for all. 'It also supports the economy of the city centre improving access for workers and the retail and leisure sectors.' Greig Mackay, director for Scotland at Bus Users UK, a charity dedicated to promoting accessible public transport, said: 'A new west-to-east bus route in the city centre will help reduce journey times and increase service reliability which is good news for those who rely on public transport, and for the wider environment. 'Interventions which make journeying by bus a more viable and appealing option can attract new bus passengers and encourage existing users to travel more frequently.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New image reveals major Argyle Street transformation plans
Glasgow City Council said the work, which will include widening pavements, new green areas and better public spaces, will make the stretch from Glasgow Cross to Central Station "more attractive to residents, visitors and investors". The plans include creating a new bus route to improve public transport and link in with the ongoing work at the western end of Argyle Street. When completed, it will help "transform the look and feel of the street from the M8 to the Gallowgate", the council added. READ MORE: Scottish Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans It will also create the conditions to take forward work to create more pedestrian-priority spaces and reduce traffic around Queen Street, Ingram Street and Candleriggs. The council said it will undertake engagement with the local community and stakeholders around these streets in the coming weeks with a view to beginning to implement changes later this year. In the meantime, it has begun gauging interest from contractors wishing to bid for what it says will be the biggest overhaul of the area since the 1970s. The plans have been welcomed by business leaders, transport operators and passenger groups. Cllr Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery and Transport, said: 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about readying these famous streets for the century ahead. Recent decades have been tough for this part of town but we're seeing new turnaround developments on Trongate, major new retail offerings on Argyle Street and global employers investing in new headquarters just further west. That's real confidence in our city centre. 'The Argyle Street East Avenue is about creating the conditions for more of that. But also, giving Glaswegians a greener, more attractive city centre with an international look and feel they can be proud of.' How the pedestrian-friendly zone at the corner of Queen Street / Ingram Street will look (Image: Glasgow City Council) Funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the Argyle Street East project is part of the wider £120million-plus Avenues programme underway across large parts of the city centre. The work, which is scheduled to begin in early 2026, also links into the redevelopment of George Square, which is also progressing. As part of the Argyle Street East Avenue, a new west-to-east bus route will pass through the pedestrianised section of the street, creating much shorter journey times and better public transport connections. It will also create the conditions to accelerate work to create more pedestrian-priority spaces and reduce traffic around Queen Street, Ingram Street and Candleriggs. These areas will be developed by early 2026. Dr George Hazel OBE, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership, said the changes would deliver faster, more reliable journey times, adding: 'This makes public transport a more attractive and convenient option, encouraging people to make fewer car journeys which reduces congestion and contributes toward a more equitable and sustainable transportation system for all. It also supports the economy of the city centre improving access for workers and the retail and leisure sectors.' How the pedestrian-friendly zone at Ingram Street will look facing east (Image: Glasgow City Council) Greig MacKay, Director for Scotland at Bus Users UK - a charity dedicated to promoting accessible public transport, added: "A new west-to-east bus route in the city centre will help reduce journey times and increase service reliability which is good news for those who rely on public transport, and for the wider environment. Interventions which make journeying by bus a more viable and appealing option can attract new bus passengers and encourage existing users to travel more frequently.' Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "The move to significantly enhance both the functionality and appeal of a key part of Glasgow City Centre is a welcomed development. Creating a more attractive environment for businesses, residents and visitors, while improving connectivity between our transport hubs, is essential to Glasgow's long-term economic recovery. 'Although the Avenues programme is complex, using a combination of lessons learned from previous phases alongside continued engagement with business, it is hoped there will be limited impact on the trading environment. Infrastructure investments of this nature will support footfall, boost local trade and help make the city centre of Glasgow a more vibrant and accessible place for all." The council has published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Argyle Street East project, which will gauge the market interest from contractors who may wish to bid for the project contract. PINs give the opportunity for potential bidders to research and prepare bids and so shorten the procurement process timescale.
