CONSTRUCTION work is to begin in early 2025 on the creation of 11 avenues in Glasgow in what has been heralded as the ‘biggest transformation’ of the city’s public realm in half a century.
Glasgow City Council said that the work will represent the most significant change to the city centre streetscapes since the 1970s pedestrianisation of Buchanan Street. The programme involves the transformation of major thoroughfares including Argyle Street, the Broomielaw, and Clyde Street, as well as George Square and surrounding streets.
The local authority added that the reworking of Sauchiehall, Pitt, and Cambridge Ssreets is already nearing completion, but the new phase will see a ‘major’ acceleration and expansion of the avenues across the city centre.
As well as transforming the look and feel of many key streets, the avenues will be a catalyst for continuing investment and economic growth, in addition to creating an environment to help increase the city centre residential population, it added.
They will also be critical to Glasgow’s net zero ambitions by handing over more space to pedestrians and active travel, creating more city centre green spaces and equipping streets to better cope with flood risks with hundreds of new trees improving drainage.
Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council, said, “Our city centre has undoubtedly been impacted in recent years by multiple and overlapping challenges, from the legacy of the pandemic, fires, and absentee property owners to the shift to online retail and cost-of-living and inflation crises.
“But it’s increasingly a focal point for major investment, for population growth and we have a responsibility to nurture that and create the cosmopolitan feel Glasgow deserves.
“We know from our own past that when we make these changes, Glasgow has flourished. The pedestrianisation of Buchanan Street in the 1970s was the catalyst for it becoming one of the most successful streets on these islands. But it also signalled the transformation of Glasgow away from its post-industrial past.
“We’re experiencing a similar period of transition just now and the Avenues can be the foundations for a city centre which gives people more reasons to visit, to invest in Glasgow and to make the city centre their home.”
Design work on 14 individual Avenues projects is progressing, with construction work set to begin in early 2025. Notably, this includes the closure of George Square and commencement of works on surrounding streets, as well as the reconfiguration of the eastern end of Argyle Street.
Work on a number of the projects will extend onto the later months of 2027, including High Street and Broomielaw/Clyde Street. The George Street to Duke Street Avenue will be completed in 2028.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, city convener for neighbourhood services and assets, added, “The avenues roll-out has already been delayed by the pandemic so it’s critical that we push on with the transformation of the city centre. There will of course be some disruption but we’re putting in place the foundations for the next century and can assure Glaswegians that the hassle will be worth it.
“And right throughout the process we’ll ensure residents and businesses are kept informed of progress and disruption is kept to a minimum.”
The planned works have been welcomed by business leaders, major developers, employers, and city-based organisations, the council said.
Mark Napier is MD of JPMorgan Chase’s Glasgow Technology Centre, which opened on Argyle Street in April, said, “JPMorganChase and Glasgow City Council partnered closely on the plans for our new tech centre, a key part of the wider Avenues project. The end result is a world-class experience for our employees, and a development that provides additional green space, an upgraded bicycle path and improved bus facilities on Argyle Street.”
Property developers Moda Group, which is behind the 430-home Holland Park development near Charing Cross, contributed £360,000 towards the Avenues Project along Holland Street and Pitt Street. Planning and engagement director at the firm, James Blakey, added, “The avenues project is a brilliant example of the long-term benefits that come from public and private organisations working collaboratively.”
