Latest news with #RaintonConstruction
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans for £2.5m water feature in George Square abandoned due to budget gap
A £20 million deal to transform George Square and turn surrounding streets into avenues has been signed off as a £2.5 million water feature is dumped due to budget constraints. New designs show West George Street and Cochrane Street adjoining the square re-invented as avenues with far more pavement space and new trees and plants. A meeting heard there was no spare cash to pay for a planned water feature in George Square and that it would pose a risk to the contract but one councillor said it would not ease people's 'disappointment.' Asking how much a water feature would cost, Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutcheson said: 'There has been press attention about the exclusion of the water feature in recent days. I understand there is a tight budget for this. I can see there is a £1.5 million gap in the budget.' An official said: 'We estimated a water feature would cost around £2.5 million in capital expenditure notwithstanding the ongoing recurring revenue costs. 'Because we knew it was a significant cost we excluded it.' He pointed out 'clearly there isn't a spare £2.5 million.' Speaking at the contracts and property committee, he added: 'The introduction of a water feature presented a significant level of risk to the contract because of the underground nature and all the stuff you need to do.' He said the main reason for abandoning the plan was due to the 'financial deficit in the budget' but there was also a significant risk. Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutchison said: 'I understand there is sound logic but I don't think it will help the disappointment that people will feel but yeah there is only so much you can do. Thankfully in Glasgow it rains half the time so you get a water feature from the sky anyway.' Councillors awarded the £20.499 million contract to Rainton Construction with work to begin in June. The square is expected to be finished by August 2026. Hoardings are currently up as preparations are underway and the 11 statues are to be removed for restoration later this month. As well as covering the George Square works, the contract will also see the creation of avenues at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. Plans for the square include informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas, a raised lawn platform, new feature lighting and seating to add to the remembrance benches and high-quality stone throughout according to the council. New trees will also be planted. The western part of the square will have a more informal design for people to use with space for cafés to spill out on to, and a paved area for events. The Avenues programme is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with funding provided by the Scottish and UK Governments, and Glasgow City Council. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project. 'Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw. 'Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.' 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
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Major update on transformation of Glasgow city centre
There will be a range of new features at the iconic site NEW LOOK Major update on transformation of Glasgow city centre GLASGOW City Council has given a major update on the transformation of George Square. A revamp project is underway as part of the local authority's Avenues programme, which aims to make the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected. 4 Works are underway to transform Glasgow's iconic George Square Credit: Tom Farmer 4 The main contract has been awarded to Rainton Construction Credit: Tom Farmer 4 New features include a water feature, raised lawn, and feature lighting Credit: Glasgow City Council 4 The revamp forms part of the local authority's Avenues programme Credit: Glasgow City Council The main contract for the works has been awarded to Rainton Construction after a Glasgow City Council committee decision. The work on the contract will begin in June, with George Square scheduled to be completed by August 2026. The contract award - worth more than £20million - covers not only the George Square works, but also the creation of Avenues at North Hanover Street (between Cathedral Street and George Square); George Street (between Montrose Street and George Square); West George Street (between Nelson Mandela Place and George Square); Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. These works will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be completed in the Spring of 2027. The works include informal play areas for children in sensory gardens, a raised lawn platform, new tree species in the square, new seating to add to the remembrance benches, and feature lighting. Between May 12 and 23, the 11 bronze statues will be removed for conservation and restoration before their return to the Square in 2026. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: "This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project. "Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw. "Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape - a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing." Meanwhile, plans for a £5.6million revamp of decaying Sauchiehall Street were rocked by a series of setbacks. Glasgow's Sauchiehall St revamp facing more delays as workers 'axed' days before Christmas Upgrading works were due to be completed by Christmas, but weren't finished until last month. In January, it emerged Sauchiehall Street had been tipped to be named Scotland's ugliest place at the Carbuncle Awards, which names and shames the country's biggest eyesores. And it has recently emerged that a multi-million-pound drainage upgrade on the street is now a haven for disease-ridden rats.
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
£20million contract for George Square renovation awarded
Hoardings have already started going up around George Square, which is scheduled to re-open in the Autumn of 2026. On Friday it was announced that the contract for the works, which also includes Avenues work on North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place; has been awarded to Rainton Construction. Read More: The contract is worth £20.499m and work will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be complete in the Spring of 2027. The first phase of the work, which will involve removing the 11 bronze statues in the square for conservation and restoration, will take place between May 11 and 23. The contracted work to transform the square will then get under way the following month. The new design for the eastern part of the Square responds to the formal uses connected with the City Chambers and the Cenotaph; and a further raised green area will be created in front of the Cenotaph. The western part of the Square will support more informal uses with space for cafes to spill out on to, and a generous paved area for events. The new tree species to be planted in George Square and the surrounding Avenues through this project include 'Robin Hill' Pink Juneberry; 'Frans Fontaine' Hornbeam; 'Forest Pansy' Redbud; Oleaster; 'Autumn Gold' Gingko; Burgundy Sweetgum; a couple of Rowan species; a number of Flowering Cherry species; and Pin Oak.
