03-05-2025
Councillor claims Glasgow's Queen Street benches ‘left to rot'
Critics say the seating areas in Queen Street have become unsightly and dangerous as a result of being unmaintained since their installation five years ago.
Now local authority chiefs say they will go as part of a planned £20 million revamp of the streets in and around George Square.
The Glasgow Times understands they were introduced as part of the Spaces for People programme that was initiated during lockdown.
Councillor Paul Carey BEM says they have become a 'public hazard' and insists frequent inspections should have been carried out to stop them falling into such a serious state of disrepair.
The benches are to be removed from Queen Street. (Image: Supplied) He added: 'The council have simply failed to look after them properly and the wood is now so rotten that if you sit on them, they just start to break apart. They must go as it is really only a matter of time before someone is injured using them.
'They were put in place as part of a positive initiative to give people somewhere to sit to get a breath of fresh air during lockdown, but they are now in such a sorry state that the only real option is to lose them."
The councillor for Drumchapel and Anniesland says the matter was brought to his attention after a constituent was injured using one of the benches.
Councillor Paul Carey (Image: Supplied)
He explained: 'The man told me he sat one of them and ended up with a large skelf sticking into him. It's taken a councillor to raise this and the question is why they were not properly and regularly inspected after being installed? They are a hazard now and should be cordoned off to the public until they are removed.'
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The council said today that the benches are earmarked to go as part of the redevelopment of George Square and surrounding streets. This project will include tarmac being replaced by 'high-quality stone', play areas for children and the installation of new state-of-the-art sensory gardens.
New greenery will be planted to complement the existing Norway maple and cherry trees, while feature lighting and new seating will also be installed to improve the square.
George Square is now closed off to the public. (Image: Colin Mearns)
Funding has been put in place for the works at the square and also the Avenues Project that will enhance North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. The cash is coming from the council, Scottish and UK governments.
The new-look George Square is expected to be open to the public in August 2026. Wooden hoardings are in place, with Glasgow's civic heartbeat now completely closed off to the public.
George Square is now closed off to the public. (Image: Colin Mearns)
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'The benches and decking on the east side of Queen Street were introduced on a temporary basis. These features will be removed as part of the work that's getting underway in George Square and the space will become a loading area.
'There are similar features on the west side of the street and these will also be removed, but the pavement will be widened permanently at this location, which will allow tables and chairs to continue to be used.'
