£115 million project to transform Glasgow city centre continues

A report which is being presented to the neighbourhoods and sustainability committee on Tuesday afternoon highlights the next steps of the Avenues Project,which will see the transformation of 17 key streets within Glasgow City Centre.

The Glasgow City Region Deal is investing around £115 million on the project which is introducing more trees and a network of pedestrian and cycle priority routes.

So far work has been carried out along Sauchiehall Street, which has seen the expansion of footpaths and cycle lanes as well as the planting of more shrubs.

An update on the project, which is divided into five blocks, was presented to the city deal executive group in September this year. A further update will be given to councillors tomorrow.

Block A, which is being delivered by civic engineers, is made up of eight projects along Argyle Street to junction 19 at Hope Street and Argyle Street to Glasgow Street.

Avenues will be created at St Enoch Square and Dixon Street as well as the underline phase one at Cambridge Street and the underline phase 2 at New City Road.

Work will also be completed at North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street.

The construction package for Argyle Street West and the underline phase 1 is currently out to tender which is expected to be agreed this year allowing work to begin early 2022.

Block B is being delivered by Ironside Farrar and made up of the following Avenue Projects: Stockwell/Glassford Street, Elmbank Street/Crescent, Holland Street and Pitt Street and Broomielaw and Clyde Street.

Tender packages are being developed for Holland Street and Pitt Street which are expected to be published later this year allowing construction to start mid/late 2022.

Block C is being delivered by John MacAslan and Partners and includes: George Square, John Street, Dundas Street/Lane, Hanover Miller/ Street, George Street, St Vincent Street/Place and Cochrane Street.

It is in the early design stages which will be finalised following public consultation in 2022. The outcome of the consultation will help form a draft design concept by the spring.

Block D’s design contract is scheduled to start late 2022/early 2023 and is made up of the International Financial Services District in Blythswood Holm and Blyswood Hill and Hope Street.

Block S is the name given to the ‘Avenues Plus Project’. It’s design contract is currently out to tender and is made up of : South Portland Street, Duke Street and John Knox Street, Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie’s Load.

The project is all part of the council’s strategic plan to create a thriving economy where citizens benefit from the economic growth of the city. It is also part of the plans to reduce carbon emissions in the city centre.

A further update will be presented next summer.