Latest news with #SusanAitken
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Number of people to cross Glasgow's Govan to Partick bridge revealed
The Govan-Partick Bridge, which opened on September 7, 2024, has been crossed more than a million times by pedestrians and cyclists. The Glasgow City Region City Deal project, which saw the Scottish and UK Governments each provide £12.685 million in funding for the bridge, reconnected Govan and Partick. The bridge spans Water Row on the Southside to Pointhouse Quay beside the Riverside Museum on the north. Since its opening last September, more than 820,000 pedestrians and over 185,000 cyclists have crossed the bridge. The bridge is of economic, environmental, and social significance, linking communities and numerous visitor attractions and institutions. It forms a central part of the active travel route between the University of Glasgow's Gilmorehill campus and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The Govan-Partick Bridge, one of Europe's longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges, measures six metres in width and has two spans. The moving span, weighing 650 tonnes, is 99 metres long, while the fixed span weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres long. (Image: (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)) Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: "With the City Deal we're quite literally building bridges between our communities along the Clyde. "Our expectations that the Govan-Partick Bridge would reconnect these historic communities have been exceeded with these fantastic figures. "It quickly became a key landmark in the city and a tremendously well-used travel route and will be critical to the continuing regeneration of our riverside and its surrounding communities in the years to come.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "It is impressive to see the impact this bridge has made for communities across the River Clyde. "As well as improving access to jobs and visitor attractions, it has opened up travel between the University of Glasgow's West End and Queen Elizabeth Hospital campuses for pedestrians and cyclists." Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Scotland Office minister, said: "A fantastic one million crossings in less than nine months is clear proof that this magnificent bridge across Glasgow's beloved Clyde has quickly become a cherished and vital piece of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists." The Glasgow City Region City Deal will see both the Scottish and UK Governments each provide £500 million of funding for infrastructure projects across the city region.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
One million crossings made over city bridge since opening
It towers over an area that, for at least 2,000 years, had a huge importance as a location where it was possible to ford the Clyde. One of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe, the Govan - Partick Bridge has a width of six metres and two spans. The moving span, which weighs 650 tonnes, is 99 metres long and uses the South Pier (at Water Row) as its access; and the fixed span, which weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres long. The crossing is also a central part of the active travel route between the University of Glasgow's campus at Gilmorehill and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. READ MORE: New figures released by Glasgow City Council show that, since the public opening last September, there have been more than 820,000 crossings of the bridge by pedestrians, and over 185,000 cyclist crossings. Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: 'With the City Deal we're quite literally building bridges between our communities along the Clyde. "Our expectations that the Govan-Partick Bridge would reconnect these historic communities have been exceeded with these fantastic figures. It's quickly become a key landmark in the city and a tremendously well-used travel route and will be critical to the continuing regeneration of our riverside and its surrounding communities in the years to come.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, said: 'It is impressive to see the impact this bridge has made for communities across the River Clyde. As well as improving access to jobs and visitor attractions, it has opened up travel between the University of Glasgow's West End and Queen Elizabeth Hospital campuses for pedestrians and cyclists. The Govan - Partick Bridge is one of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe (Image: Colin Mearns/Herald) "Construction was funded through the Glasgow City Region Deal, which we have supported with £520 million. This investment aims to create 29,000 jobs in the Greater Glasgow region by boosting housing, transport, business growth and research opportunities to improve outcomes for patients.' UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "A fantastic one million crossings in less than nine months is clear proof that this magnificent bridge across Glasgow's beloved Clyde has quickly become a cherished and vital piece of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. It is also a powerful reminder of how vital it is to bring people and places together. "Part funded with more than £12 million UK Government investment, re-establishing this historic connection between Govan and Partick is boosting the economy, bonding communities and supporting redevelopment. This is our Plan for Change in action, working with partners to deliver economic growth and a decade of national renewal."
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
First Bus giving away 7,500 free bus journeys in Glasgow
The company is providing complimentary travel to help people celebrate Glasgow's 850th birthday at a three-day music festival along the River Clyde. First Bus is the official travel partner of the Clyde Chorus, which takes place between May 29 to 31. Read more: Busy Glasgow road to close for two days - here's when The festival will see live music events at well-known venues such as the SEC Armadillo, SWG3, The Briggait, Pearce Institute, and The Savings Bank. The event will showcase local and homegrown talent, highlighting Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music. Artists are set to include Nathan Evans & the Saint Phnx band, Nina Nesbitt, Scottish Opera, and many more. First Bus, in partnership with Glasgow 850 organisers, is encouraging people to travel sustainably by giving every ticket holder a free two-trip ticket to allow them to travel to and from the event. Everyone who has purchased a ticket to a Clyde Chorus event can access a unique voucher code by completing an online form here. Users will then be emailed their unique voucher code which they can enter into the First Bus app. After this, a free two-trip ticket will be generated which can be activated for the day of the event. This venture highlights the continued support from First Bus for Glasgow's 80th birthday celebrations. It follows a similar effort earlier in the year, after the unveiling of a specially designed bus alongside Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken. The bus, which is wrapped in Glasgow 850 branding, travels around Glasgow every day. Read more: 'Thrilled ': New centre will provide dedicated space for this community Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Bus Scotland, said: "We are delighted to be playing our part in celebrating 850 years of our amazing city by making it easier than ever for people to use the bus to experience Glasgow's fantastic music scene. "Our partnership not only helps us to reach a wider audience but further encourages people to choose public transport as their preferred method of travel. "We look forward to welcoming concert-goers on our buses throughout the Clyde Chorus." Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This fantastic offer from First Bus will make it free and easy to travel to the Clyde Chorus festival - part of Glasgow 850 - where those attending will enjoy a little piece of Glasgow's history as they watch a great line-up of local and homegrown artists perform over three days."
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
LGBTQ+ 'safe space' centre could be opened in Glasgow
City leader Susan Aitken said the council is in 'no rush' to make any changes on LGBTQ+ inclusion following a Supreme Court ruling that a woman was defined by biological sex under equalities law. Councillor Aitken was responding to queries from trans councillor Elaine Gallagher who asked what the council was doing to uphold duties to protect rights in light of a 'culture war and hostile anti LGBTQ+ environment.' Speaking at last week's council meeting, Councillor Aitken said 'recent legal decisions and public discourse have only intensified the pressure and fear that many trans people are feeling. And I absolutely recognise that this is not just political, it is personal, it is painful and it has real consequences for people's safety, dignity and rights.' More: We've been 'strung along': Anger at Ruchill Community Centre decision She added: 'I'm determined that the council will be an ally and will act.' Pointing out the work of an LGBTQ+ Forum, she said: 'A sub group of the forum is exploring the creation of a physical LGBTQ+ hub in Glasgow, a safe inclusive space for community building, support and celebration. 'Discussions with City Property and partners are ongoing and the energy and commitment from community members involved in the process has been really encouraging.' Commenting on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, she said: 'We also continue to prioritise inclusive education. Our partnership with the TIE campaign is helping ensure our schools are places where all young people including trans and non binary pupils feel safe, seen and supported from professional development for staff to city wide events like Ally and PrideLite this work sends a clear message I hope to our young people – you belong here. ' Scottish Greens councillor Gallagher was questioning whether the council was continuing to roll out actions from a council motion in 2023, which agreed to help guard the rights of transgender and non-binary people. More: 'Significant disruption' to city centre buses for a year and a half She asked if councillor Aitken agreed that the 'interim non statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was rushed, contradictory, discriminatory and politically motivated.' Concurring, the SNP leader branded the guidance as 'entirely rushed.' Released after the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC guidance says in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants trans women should not be allowed to use women's facilities. Laying out the council's stance, councillor Aitken said: 'We are certainly in no rush in this council to make any changes. I have discussed it with the chief executive and our existing approach is the approach that will continue. We obviously await guidance from the Scottish Government. 'We are a public body and we have to abide by the law but I am absolutely determined that we will do so in a way that is inclusive, respectful and supports the dignity and personhood of everyone who either works in or uses or public buildings or our service and particularly trans and non binary people.'
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow 850 fund backs jazz, arts and community events
The Glasgow Jazz Festival, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, and WestFest are among the recipients of the second phase of the one-off Glasgow 850 Festival Fund. Five organisations that stage annual city events received a total of £25,000 to improve their existing offerings that celebrate Glasgow talent, engage young people and expand community outreach. The 39th edition of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, which will be held from June 18 to 22, will feature five special free and discounted afternoon events during the weekend of June 21 and 22. More: Top cop calls on football clubs to organise title celebration events after chaos Jill Rodger, director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: "As Glasgow's longest-running festival, we're incredibly excited to be part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations and mark this milestone moment for our vibrant home city, known for its rich musical heritage and diversity. "This support from Glasgow 850 has allowed us to expand our festival programme and stage a series of weekend afternoon events which bring the joyful spirit of jazz to children, reach new audiences in Govan, and celebrate Glasgow's role as a thriving hub and destination for Scottish and international jazz talent to collaborate and flourish. "We look forward to bringing it all to life for audiences at our 39th edition this June." At the end of October, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival will mark Glasgow 850 with two new initiatives. More: Star of legendary Scots rock band pictured at Glasgow restaurant In addition to these flagship awards, £35,000 was distributed through the Glasgow 850 Celebration Fund to 44 grassroots projects of up to £850, with each ward in the city represented. Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow 850 is a celebration of our city's past, present and future – and it's the people of Glasgow who are making it their own. "These events, both large and small, reflect the pride, creativity and community spirit that define how people feel about their city and how they want to mark the year. "With this money, we've been able to support such a wide range of activities that will bring people together in every part of the city.'
