Latest news with #Avenues
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street
'Sauchiehall Street's had a bit of flak recently,' it's a statement that comes as no surprise as the Glasgow Times meets Glasgow City Council representatives on the city centre street. Still, it has remained one of the main avenues in the city, stretching over one-and-a-half miles, and is associated with shopping and nightlife, and even features in a few songs. The section between Charing Cross and its connection with Buchanan Street has recently been given a facelift, too. It's part of the £1billion investment funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which includes contributions from both the Scottish and UK Governments. This project is part of the £123million Avenues programme. The Glasgow Times was invited out by the team behind the design of the street as they talked us through the 'new and improved' layout. Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street (Image: Colin Mearns)READ MORE: 9 pictures which tell story of famous Glasgow department store Meeting at the brow of the hill, we look down the newly paved road from Rose Street's crossing all the way down to West Nile Street – our focus for this stage of the street's rejuvenation. 'It's unavoidable to admit that it's needed a renovation,' say the representatives. The tail-end of the works is being completed as we wander down through the lush greenery of the 40 new street trees, people fill the impressive 77 new benches, and we talk through the intricacies of the vision for the street. They explain: 'The goal of this program is to introduce greener spaces into the city centre, provide more space for people and pedestrians, spaces to rest, and, where appropriate, segregated cycling infrastructure. 'Sauchiehall Street was already a pedestrianised precinct, which was a key thing to be maintained. 'The design's principle involves treating the central section as a place to gather and rest with greenery and lighting, while the two side flanks form the 'motorways' for pedestrians around the benches and trees.' The benches have been arranged to form 'living room'-like spaces (Image: Colin Mearns) It aims to promote free access between shops and allow people walking and cycling to share the space, with an emphasis on consideration of other users. The trees will form a canopy of shelter over the benches and area, and have been planted with growth in mind, something that was missing from the previous foliage. They explain: 'The trees that were originally on the street were in danger of dying, because they hadn't been planted properly. 'Their roots were coming up through the pavement, and they weren't growing, which was because they weren't planted in 'tree boxes'.' READ MORE: The unusual link between Glasgow and 'dark history' of the pineapple They go on to show us the boxes into which the new foliage has been sunk—they'll allow the variety of tree species to flourish on the street. That variety is a consideration that's been made to ensure that no disease spreads through the leafy canopy. While the question of rats invading the new drainage system has to be asked, after the issue was reported in March, the council say they have seen no such problems arise. Under the surface is where the 'real magic' has happened for the street, improved drainage and infrastructure will allow for further developments and investments in the area to 'unlock the street's full potential.' Fiona McLeod, 65, enjoying a new bench (Image: Colin Mearns) Above ground, the 77 benches have been warmly greeted by people we spoke to as we passed, including 65-year-old Fiona McLeod, who said: 'I think it's a brilliant thing for somebody that's given a wee bit of mobility problems. 'It's brilliant to be able to just sit and just rest, I love them here. I think it's a great idea.' She's sitting facing another bench in one of the many different layouts seen across the street. These benches have been placed specifically in a bit of urban Feng Shui—they form almost 'living room'-like spaces. 'It's to allow for people to gather in different ways that suit them, to rest, chat, eat or simply sit and enjoy the view,' explained the council representatives. Cambridge Street with the new plant beds and cycle lane. (Image: Colin Mearns) We look at the wildflower 'rain gardens' on Cambridge Street, which help with drainage and benefit bees and other flora and fauna. Cycle lanes have been added, and the crossings have also been widened, which should help the large footfall on the street cross safely. READ MORE: Glasgow School of Art lecturer turns 28 years of memories into bold new show Additional lighting is being added, and service units have been installed to allow for future events, including a vision for market stalls. We pass a few 'to let' signs, a sign of the times as an unavoidable hangover from Covid and a turbulent time for the high street.
STV News
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- STV News
Public warned of significant bus disruption ahead of 18-month roadworks
Passengers are being warned of 'significant' disruption to buses in Glasgow city centre lasting over a year as roadworks are carried out. First Bus confirmed major roadworks are to be carried out by Glasgow City Council on North Hanover Street as part of the wider city 'Avenues' project. The disruption, which will have a significant impact on buses accessing Buchanan Bus Station, is to last for 18 months. Lane restrictions and temporary lights are due to be installed on North Hanover Street from Monday, May 26, until November 2026. Users of the 9, 9A, 19, 38, 57, 77, 87, 88, 240, 255, 263, 267, 398, 500, X3, X8, X11, X85, and X87 First Bus services are advised to plan their journeys in advance. Passengers are being urged to allow for additional travel time to prepare for buses that may be caught in traffic due to the works. A spokesperson for First Bus said: 'We're committed to providing an efficient and reliable service for customers. Like any other road users, our buses are impacted by roadworks and circumstances outwith our control. 'We support the end vision Glasgow City Council are aiming to achieve with the modernisation of the city through the 'Avenues' project, however these works will cause significant disruption to bus services throughout the city centre. 'We wanted to issue notice in advance to support customers as far as possible and allow them to plan journeys. Further information can be found via our website, social channels and through our customer services team.' Glasgow City Council said on its website: 'The construction to North Hanover Street and Kyle Street will see the introduction of a high-quality public realm and the introduction of a segregated bi-directional cycleway to connect the north of Glasgow to the city centre as well as integrating into other active travel infrastructure projects and highlights the commitment to a sustainable city. 'The Avenues forms part of the City Centre Strategy. 'The priority of this programme is about creating inclusive and sustainable space for people through quality public realm, green infrastructure and innovative technology.' 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
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire bus passengers face "significant disruption" on Glasgow journeys
First Bus have warned users of five local services that journey times will be affected by roadworks close to Buchanan bus station Passengers using five bus services between Lanarkshire and Glasgow have been warned to expect 'significant disruption' for the next 18 months due to major roadworks impacting the city centre end of the journey. First Bus has issued the warning to travellers using 19 different routes which start or end at Buchanan bus station, ahead of the installation from this Monday of temporary traffic lights and lane restrictions on North Hanover Street, beside the busy transport hub. The Lanarkshire services highlighted are the company's 255, 263 and 267 services from Hamilton to Glasgow, along with the 240 and X11 respectively starting at Overtown and Newmains and both covering Wishaw and Motherwell. First Bus officials say roadworks impacting the bus station in Glasgow – part of the city's major Avenues project to redesign 16 major streets with features including improved footpaths, cycle lanes, bus routes and landscaping – is 'expected to last for at least 18 months'. Passengers using the affected routes to travel to or from the city centre are being asked to plan journeys in advance and allow extra travel time as 'buses may be caught in traffic due to the works'. The 255 travels between Hamilton, Bothwell and Uddingston and Glasgow, while both the 263 and 267 cover Blantyre, Cambuslang and Rutherglen. The X11 passes through Netherton while the 240 also serves passengers in Craigneuk and Bellshill. A spokesperson for First Bus said: 'We're committed to providing an efficient and reliable service for customers. Like any other road users, our buses are impacted by roadworks and circumstances out with our control. 'We support the end vision Glasgow city council are aiming to achieve with the modernisation of the city through the Avenues project – however, these works will cause significant disruption to bus services throughout the city centre. 'We wanted to issue notice in advance to support customers as far as possible and allow them to plan journeys. Further information can be found via our website, social channels and through our customer services team.' First say their website at will be updated with details on impacted services, while their customer services team can be contacted on 0345 646 0707. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
The Herald Scotland
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow has shown a sad lack of ambition with George Square proposals
The cost at £2.5 million was apparently deemed to be too high. Many millions of pounds have been spent on the hard landscaping required for the Avenues project which rumbles on and doesn't seem to have caught the imagination of the populace. I would argue that a fountain or a "wall of water" is fundamental to the success of the enterprise and a real justification for the redesign of this prime civic space. Once again the planners have shown a real lack of ambition for the city by denying it a feature that would provide a vibrant, visual asset long after Glasgow's 850th anniversary celebrations have been forgotten. David G Will, Milngavie. Zonal pricing is common sense ScottishPower and SSE's outcry against zonal pricing ("Kate Forbes slams 'damaging' North Sea profits tax", heraldscotland, May 14) and demands for 'simplicity' in the CfD scheme reek of self-interest disguised as public concern. Keith Anderson of ScottishPower's claims of a £30 billion investment threat, alongside Alistair Phillips-Davies' recent alarm over ScotWind projects, are classic scare tactics. Let's be clear: they're defending a pricing system that props up their profits while offloading costs onto struggling households and businesses. Equally disingenuous were Kate Forbes's new-found concerns about the 'damaging' impact of the UK's windfall tax. Zonal pricing is simple common sense: where energy is abundant, bills should be cheaper. Norway has proven it works – investment thrives, and consumer costs drop. Yet ScottishPower and SSE cling to a rigged system that inflates prices nationwide, shielding their margins from genuine competition. Mr Anderson's plea to avoid 'tampering' with a 'working' system is absurd. Working for whom? Certainly not the 6.5 million UK households in fuel poverty or the businesses fighting to stay afloat. Their warnings of higher costs are baseless fearmongering. Zonal pricing would cut bills where renewables flourish, reflecting real supply and demand. More importantly, a balanced energy policy – one that includes renewables alongside North Sea oil and gas, as well as coal – would reduce dependency on costly imports and stabilise prices. This is the only path to genuine energy security and affordability, not endless Contracts for Difference handouts to intermittent energy sources. If Ed Miliband backs zonal pricing, it would be his first sensible decision amid his bonkers Net Zero policies – policies that stifle North Sea oil and gas while increasing reliance on foreign imports, forcing the public and businesses to pay a premium compared to similarly placed countries. Enough is enough. Ian Lakin, Aberdeen. Read more letters These TV ads are disgusting Adverts at regular intervals are the price we pay for commercial TV. Those commercial breaks allow us to skip off into the kitchen to make the occasional cuppa. There have been times when the adverts on show have had an entertainment value with their subtlety, humour and clever use of language. Recently however our screens have been flooded with a spate of adverts which bring with them the cringe factor thanks to the coarseness and crudity in which they are couched. In particular I would like to point out those adverts which deal with female incontinence deodorants and indigestion remedies. Not one of them is characterised by subtlety, light humour or clever wordplay. Rather they are explicit in the extreme, leaving nothing to the imagination with their brash, bold and bald language. Is there anyone else who shrinks with disgust when those adverts occupy the screen to induce the cringe factor in the viewers, a reaction I imagine may well be more widespread rather than restricted to my prurient personality? There have been memorable adverts which have lived on in the national memory thanks to the smart work of those trying to capture the attention of the viewing audience for the products on display. Have those days now receded into the past and are we to be left exposed to more of the current crop of adverts which leave the TV audience cold? Do those productions exemplify the collapse of standards in public life, which is increasingly evident in all facets of our nation? Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs. An offer easy to resist A wee word of warning to fellow readers considering disposing of "unwanted items cluttering your home". An advert I saw stated "Free uplift and a fair offer". Sounds good, however, on the "fair offer" issue, a variance of opinion may arise. In my case, I submitted medals (six), Scottish bank notes (two), watches (10) and cigarette card sets (two). In my own estimation of the value of total goods was between £400/£500. I received a call one week later. In a very civil manner the rep remarked on the good condition of many of the items (for example, the medals being worth £50-plus). Finally, when pressed he made an offer of £75 (all inclusive). A derisory offer to end a promising exchange. Hopefully my great expectations consignment will be returned to me intact ASAP. Allan C Steele, Giffnock. Keith Anderson of ScottishPower (Image: PA) Banking? What's that? May I add a necessary addendum to Ian McConnell's rose-tinted writing of his younger journalist years following the Royal Bank of Scotland ('The tumultuous tale of a great Scottish hope', The Herald, May 16)? When the Royal Bank of Scotland imploded (and it self-imploded) not a single member of its board was a professionally qualified banker, not even its managing director – who had been appointed by his predecessor in his own image. Enough said. Graeme Smith, Newton Mearns.
Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
First historic statue removed from George square today
All 11 statues will be taken down and put into storage for cleaning and restoration work during the redevelopment of the square. When the work is complete, they will be returned to the square. READ NEXT:More than 50 Orange parades in one day, the biggest of the year Today, workers carefully removed the Robert Burns statue from its plinth in the square. (Image: Colin Mearns) The other statues, including the horseback monuments of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, will be taken down over the next 10 days. The Walter Scott Monument in the centre of the square and the Cenotaph will remain in place throughout the works. The square has now been closed off with hoardings erected to allow workers to start the redevelopment. READ NEXT: We want to start a family but we're stuck in Glasgow hotel with rats After being lifted from the plinths, the statue of Scotland's national poet was wrapped in blankets for protection and later wrapped in an opaque black plastic and placed on a low-loader truck before being transported to storage. (Image: Colin Mearns) The statues will be removed and restored by Rupert Harris Conservation, a leading company in the field of statue and metalwork conservation. The George Square and surrounding Avenues project is part of the wider Avenues programme, aimed at making the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected. (Image: Colin Mearns) The statues conservation work sits alongside the main contract for George Square and the surrounding Avenues, with the main contract - worth £20.499million - supported by £8.815million Glasgow City Deal City Region funding from both the Scottish and UK Governments. Work on the main contract is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
