GLASGOW’S Union Street is to fully reopen to pedestrians and vehicles on July 17 after being closed since March following the devastating fire, Glasgow City Council has confirmed.
The works to stabilise the gable at the site of the demolished building on the street are now complete and the scaffold has been removed.
Final works within the site will be completed by July 17 alongside road and pavement works, ahead of the site then being handed over to the owners, the council said. Hoarding will also in place by then ahead of being dressed to mark the forthcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The council is working with partner organisations, including transport organisations, on the arrangements around the reopening of the street. This work has also included ensuring the dilapidated scaffold at Egyptian Halls has been removed by the works under a defective building notice. The scaffold is now entirely dismantled for co-ordination with the road re-opening.
Last week, it was announced that O’Donnell Brown has been appointed to develop a concept design for the ‘meanwhile use’ of the site, with the space being activated in the short to medium term, ie during the next four years or so while long-term permanent aspirations for the site are developed. Initial activation of the site is expected later this year, and this may happen in phases.
The council is also considering proposals to transform the area around Central Station.
Councillor Angus Millar, convener for city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council, said, “I am pleased that the reopening of Union Street can now be confirmed, following the extensive work undertaken to clear the site after the fire earlier this year. This is a key stage in the recovery of the area around Central Station and will allow people and vehicles to move far more smoothly through this part of the city centre.
“I would like to thank everyone affected by the fire and its aftermath for their patience, and pass on my gratitude to the council staff, our contractors and partners for the huge amount of work they have done to get us to this stage.”
