The planning report proposed huge changes to Glasgow.The planning report proposed huge changes to Glasgow.
The planning report proposed huge changes to Glasgow.

City centre demolition, futuristic roundabouts, new train stations - how the Bruce Report would've transformed Glasgow - in pictures

A ‘haphazard city’ – that is how city planner Robert Bruce described Glasgow in his controversial First Planning Report.
By Jamie Callaghan
Published 24th Nov 2021, 10:50 BST

World War II was coming to an end and cities across the UK were thinking to the future – how people would work, live and travel.

In March 1945, Bruce put his First Planning Report to the Highways and Planning Committee. To describe it as ambitious would be an understatement. It included huge proposals which would transform Glasgow over the next 50 years – focusing on everything from transport to housing.

While the plans would not be taken further, it did include some futuristic ideas that would fit in with today’s green revolution and proposals that would influence future decisions.

Here are just some of the changes it planned for Glasgow.

While the plans would not be taken further, it did include some futuristic ideas that would fit in with today’s green revolution and proposals that would influence future decisions.

Not all of Bruce's ideas would be scrapped. His most well-known proposal - and the one which would be taken forward to some extent - was the plan for the Inner Ring Road. He described the road system at the time as "inadequate" and estimated delays were costing the city's economy millions of pounds every year. With more cars on the road - a number he knew would continue to increase - he proposed a "gigantic roundabout", the Inner Ring Road. It would be built within a half mile radius of Central Station and help the flow of traffic. Bruce also wanted to connect Glasgow's neighbourhoods. An Outer Ring Road would have looped around the city, passing Hampden Park and Southern General Hospital as it made its way around the outskirts of Glasgow. It would connect neighbourhoods around four miles from the city centre and help keep motorists from having to drive into Glasgow.

5. Ring road system

Not all of Bruce's ideas would be scrapped. His most well-known proposal - and the one which would be taken forward to some extent - was the plan for the Inner Ring Road. He described the road system at the time as "inadequate" and estimated delays were costing the city's economy millions of pounds every year. With more cars on the road - a number he knew would continue to increase - he proposed a "gigantic roundabout", the Inner Ring Road. It would be built within a half mile radius of Central Station and help the flow of traffic. Bruce also wanted to connect Glasgow's neighbourhoods. An Outer Ring Road would have looped around the city, passing Hampden Park and Southern General Hospital as it made its way around the outskirts of Glasgow. It would connect neighbourhoods around four miles from the city centre and help keep motorists from having to drive into Glasgow. Photo: Bill Newton

The inner ring road looping around Glasgow's city centre would be linked by massive roundabouts - unlike any you've seen before. The roundabouts would be huge, two-tiered creations. In the middle of the normal traffic roundabout would be a bus station. Below that, tram stations and shops.

6. Roundabouts

The inner ring road looping around Glasgow's city centre would be linked by massive roundabouts - unlike any you've seen before. The roundabouts would be huge, two-tiered creations. In the middle of the normal traffic roundabout would be a bus station. Below that, tram stations and shops. Photo: Shutterstock

While the 'Inner Ring Road' and 'Outer Ring Road' would be the main routes through Glasgow, Bruce also proposed main arterial routes. However, this meant some current roads would be redundant, including Union Street, Cook Street and Port Dundas Road. He also argued that plans for a high level bridge at Finnieston Street should be dropped, with a new bridge erected at Carnoustie Street instead. He also wanted a tunnel to connect Linthouse and Whiteinch.

7. Roads

While the 'Inner Ring Road' and 'Outer Ring Road' would be the main routes through Glasgow, Bruce also proposed main arterial routes. However, this meant some current roads would be redundant, including Union Street, Cook Street and Port Dundas Road. He also argued that plans for a high level bridge at Finnieston Street should be dropped, with a new bridge erected at Carnoustie Street instead. He also wanted a tunnel to connect Linthouse and Whiteinch. Photo: Shutterstock

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