WILLS Bros Civil Engineering is to begin work on the Argyle Street east avenue next month as part of Glasgow City Council’s £140 million transformation of key city centre streets.
The 12.19 million project will see the creation of new public and green spaces, and the resurfacing of roads and cycle lanes. Extending from Central Station to just beyond Glasgow Cross, the Argyle east avenue will be delivered in four individual and phased sections along the one-kilometre route.
The works get underway as the renewal of several streets which are part of the biggest transformation of the city centre since the 1970s conclude or are scheduled for completion.
The Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie’s Loan avenue at Glasgow Caledonian University and Buchanan Street Bus Station opens next week, while the progress of the redevelopment of George Square will see the road on the north side of the square reopen in early June.
Meanwhile, the Argyle West avenue has accelerated over recent weeks, with the final stages of works to roads and pavements underway. Running from the Kingston Bridge to Central Station, Argyle west has encountered delays due to the impact of the Union Street fire and Scottish Water repairs but is now on schedule to be largely concluded by early June.
Councillor Angus Millar, convener for city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council, said, “Argyle Street, Trongate and Glasgow Cross are such historic parts of town which have resonated with Glaswegians over generations. But they’ve undeniably endured decades of decline.
“This investment is about revitalising these famous streets, complementing the hundreds of millions of pounds of development which is emerging in the area and giving real confidence to this part of the city.
“The avenues programme is creating more attractive places for everyone who lives, works and visits the city centre. We’re making sure Argyle Street, Trongate and Glasgow Cross are absolutely part of that.”
The first phase of the Argyle East Avenue to get underway will stretch from the junction with Queen Street to Stockwell Street, followed by the Four Corners area to Queen Street, and then Trongate to Glasgow Cross and onto Moir Street on the Gallowgate.
With the final phases scheduled for completion by June 2029, the works also include the installation of a new west-to-east bus route passing through the current pedestrian precinct, reducing journey times and improving public transport connections. The move has been welcomed by passenger groups, business leaders and transport operators.
Councillor Millar added, “As with all major infrastructure projects, some disruption is inevitable. The phased approach to construction should go some way to minimising that and we’ll make sure the public and our partners are kept up to date with where the works might impact on them.
“Glaswegians can be confident however that the Avenues and George Square redevelopment will deliver a city centre we can all be proud of – and we’ll continue to see that emerging in the weeks ahead.”
