Latest news with #Glaswegians
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
'This is not the Glasgow residents deserve'
Within the Greater Pollok ward, we see the impact of the cuts that have been made since 2012 with overgrown grass verges, weeds growing out of the edge of pavements, litter, rats in overflowing bin areas, potholes, and blocked gullies. Walk through Glasgow and the decline is impossible to miss – litter-strewn streets, overflowing bins, fly-tipping, and potholes so bad they've earned us the title of the "pothole capital of the UK." With over 9,000 open pothole reports, Glasgow leads the pack in Scotland – and repairs are taking months, if they happen at all. This isn't a national issue – it's a local one. Under the SNP's watch, street cleansing staff numbers plunged from 485 in 2019 to just 383 by 2023. Even the city's parks teams dropped from 305 to 267. Yes, there has been a recent recruitment drive ahead of the Commonwealth Games, but we're still well below what is required and expected for a city of our size. You can't slash essential staff and expect the streets to stay clean. It's like turning off fire engines and hoping there'll be no fires. Meanwhile, rat sightings in Glasgow have soared – rising from 5,348 in 2018/19 to 7,948 in 2022/23 – a staggering 46% increase. According to the GMB union, rat sightings have trebled over the last decade and are now as common as pigeons. This is not the Glasgow residents deserve. It's not just about aesthetics – it's about pride, health, and safety. With pothole-ridden roads, missed bin collections, and vermin on the rise, people feel ignored. And too often, this SNP City Administration has ignored them. Glasgow Labour believes we must get back to basics. That means prioritising core services: clean streets, safe roads, and responsive local teams. We must reinvest in frontline workers, strengthen waste collection, tackle fly-tipping, and ensure residents' complaints aren't just logged – but acted on. We also believe in partnership with our communities. Across the city, community organisations and volunteers are stepping in where the Council has failed – organising clean-ups, maintaining parks, and reporting fly-tipping. They shouldn't have to. But their efforts show what's possible when people are empowered and supported. A Labour-led council would value that community spirit – not take it for granted. We'd put it at the heart of service delivery, backing it with staff, resources, and a proper plan. The SNP City Administration in Glasgow has had years to get this right. Instead, we've seen cut after cut, while our neighbourhoods fall further into neglect. It doesn't have to be this way. Glasgow is a city of pride, resilience, and determination. But that spirit isn't being matched by the political leadership at the top of the Council. We need action. A commitment to clean, safe streets – not just PR spin and empty rhetoric, which Glaswegians have become all too familiar with since 2017. It's time to stop settling for failure. It's time to clean up Glasgow – for good.
Glasgow Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
How much did Glasgow City Council make from brown bin permits?
Data from a Freedom of Information request has revealed that 86,295 households across the city have paid the £50 charge to have their garden waste collected. Over the last two years, the local authority has pocketed £4,314,750 while paying out just £12,800 to residents who claimed for refunds. Now a Glasgow councillor is calling for more transparency over where the cash has gone since the charge was brought into effect in 2023. Drumchapel and Anniesland councillor Paul Carey BEM says that people are right to demand to know where their money has been invested. Paul Carey BEM (Image: supplied) He exclusively told the Glasgow Times: 'We were told when the permits were being rolled out that money generated would be reinvested in communities, so the question is what specifically has been done and where are future monies going? 'This was a new revenue stream, and we were told that the benefits would be seen across the city. This is a sizeable sum of money and Glaswegians who are paying this permit charge deserve to know exactly what has it been spent on? 'We're not just talking pennies this is a total that could make a huge difference to a lot of struggling services and tired community centres in many areas. There are so many parts of the city crying out for investment, so the council ought to be providing a breakdown of where it has gone. People want, and are right to expect, value for the money.' Bosses at Glasgow City Council sparked anger when they decided to introduce the charge across the city 21 months ago. The data shows that its first year, from October 1 to September 30 2024, the scheme brought in £2,031,600. The following 12 months it generated £2,283,150. Local authorities in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde also decided to hit households in the pocket for the kerbside collection of their garden refuse, but at a 20 per cent lower charge of £40 per address. READ NEXT: Shock Glasgow brown bin permit uptake is revealed by probe We previously told how residents in Whitburn Street in Carntyne were calling on local authority bosses to introduce a reduced rate for the elderly and vulnerable unable to afford the one-off fee. Ann Ayre, chair of the area's Winget Residents' Association, told the Glasgow Times that her members had decided to take a stand against the move – and called on senior citizens across the city to follow suit. Ann Ayre (Image: NQ) Ann said: 'A lot of pensioners don't have the cash to fork out for something that should be covered by their council tax. 'We need a payment plan to spread the cost, or better still axe the permit altogether. This is a charge on top of our council tax that, in my mind, can't be justified. People are struggling right now through a cost-of-living crisis, paying to have your grass cuttings taken away is unacceptable, especially at a time when some households are having to decide between energy bills or eating.' A one-off payment of £50 currently applies per brown bin, so if a household has two, the total cost is £100. Permits are provided within 21 days of purchase A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: 'As with all such schemes, the funds raised will be reinvested in council services. The council approved £2million per year from brown bin permit income as one of its budget options to balance the budget a couple of years ago. 'The council has to come up with a list of budget options every year, including income generating and cost-reducing options that are approved as part of the budget.' Councillor Carey added: 'The council's response to the question of where the money has specifically gone is just not transparent. 'It is time this money was ring-fenced and allocated to the type of community projects people care about instead of going into some budget black hole
Glasgow Times
3 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
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
When Scotland will see sun again as UK hit with thunderstorm and rain warnings
It looks like it's going to be a typically unpredictable weekend, so you'd better have the brollies out if you're having a barbecue. Scotland has enjoyed some fine weather in recent weeks. Glasgow and the west had a heatwave last weekend, which was perfect for TRNSMT revellers at Glasgow Green. The hot spell came to an end with a deluge of downpours across Scotland early this week, with the rain showing little sign of letting up. And since then, things have been a bit mixed. The temperature gauges have still topped 20C at times, but there have been showers to contend with too. And the next few days appear like they're going to be typically unpredictable. Scotland has been issued with a two-day yellow weather warning for rain from the Met Office. The warning zone stretches the full length of the border with England and reaches as far north as Aviemore and Aberdeen. The entire east coast up to the Granite City is included, with all of Scotland's cities bar Inverness expected to be lashed with rain. The Met Office warning is in place from 4pm tomorrow, Saturday, July 19, until 12 noon on Sunday, July 20. According to the national forecaster, much of Scotland is likely to see 20-30mm of rain, but some spots could see 50-75 mm in just a few hours. Down south, there are several thunderstorm warnings in place over the coming days. The biggest of which covers all of England except from the south west, lasting from midnight until 9pm tomorrow. An additional amber warning is in place around London, stretching from Cambridge down to Brighton on the coast. Torrential rain, thunderstorms, and flooding are expect in this area between 4am and 11am tomorrow. Amidst all this doom and gloom, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's all bad news. But Scotland is actually in for some sunshine this weekend, perhaps surprisingly. In Edinburgh, despite the weather warning, sun is forecast to shine throughout Saturday morning - although showers are still predicted. Glasgow could be even brighter, with temperatures potentially sneaking into the 20s around lunchtime. And although the Central Belt is expecting heavy rain by the evening, our biggest cities will both still be in the high teens. On Sunday, things look even more promising. The Met Office alert is due to expire at noon and things look like they'll brighten up almost immediately. There will still be some showers, but Glaswegians are forecast to enjoy temperatures of 23C, just one degree warmer than those at the other end of the M8 in Edinburgh. It's a similar story in Dundee, with the City of Discovery expecting highs of 21C on Sunday afternoon thanks to the appearance of the sun. For Aberdeen, however, it looks like it'll be a grey weekend, perhaps fittingly for the Granite City, with the sun not likely to shine much at all. Anyone living in the capital of the Highlands is in for a bit of a treat. Avoiding the Met Office warning zone looks like a bonus, with only limited showers in Inverness this weekend. And the city looks set to enjoy high temperatures for the next few days, with highs in the 20s all week - including a peak of 24C on Thursday, July, 24. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Andy Page, said: 'Intense rainfall will impact parts of the UK as thunderstorms move in from France. A range of severe weather warnings have been issued, including an Amber warning covering southeast England and London. "The intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding as well as frequent lightning and hail too. The situation is evolving, and warnings may be changed or added. "There will be spells of more pleasant weather in parts of the UK through the weekend, with some sunny spells in between systems as they move through.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
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
