Council outlines proposals for Byres Road public realm improvements

Glasgow City Council today (24 January) discussed plans to transform the public realm of Byres Road, one of the city's leading destinations, for shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, in a £9million project.

The council's Regeneration and the Economy Committee considered the results of public consultation, which resulted in a number of key findings:

·         Support for full street redesign, with improvements benefiting groups such as cyclists and pedestrians

·         Enhance the pedestrian environment, with improved surfaces, reduced street clutter and pavement seating

·         Safe cycle routes

·         Resources available to allow community involvement in design and programming of events in potential new civic spaces

·         Priority spaces were identified, including Ashton Road car park, Church Street triangle, and corners at Chancellor Street and Great George Street

The £9million of funding for these public realm improvements - construction work will begin in late 2018 - will come from the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal.  The works will aim to improve connections to the Glasgow University campus.  Works will complement the University's ambitious proposals which will see the expansion of the campus onto the site of the former Western Infirmary.  The University estimates that its campus expansion has the potential to create 2,500 new jobs and contribute an additional £130million to the economy each year.

The council has appointed a design team - led by local architects Benton Scott-Simmons - to work on the preparation of public realm designs, and from February 2017 they will undertake community consultation and technical design work before construction work begins.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Byres Road is a jewel in the crown of Glasgow's economic and social life, attracting visitors from Glasgow and beyond to its attractions during the day and at night.  This consultation process will help to ensure that it remains in this position by informing how best to shape the Byres Road that everyone with an interest in the area wants, and I would urge all stakeholders to participate."

A series of public events will form part of the next stage of consultation on the proposed improvements, with the first of these taking place at Hillhead Library on 23 February.

This consultation series will involve key stakeholders, such as residents; community councils; voluntary organisations; businesses and organisations with premises on Byres Road; the Business Improvement District; event organisers such as the West End Festival; the University of Glasgow; council departments and other agencies who manage waste, cleansing, lighting, etc; and other organisations such as cycling groups and disability forums.

There will be individual consultation processes for each section of Byres Road throughout the rest of 2017 and the first half of 2018.

An online information and consultation hub at www.facebook.com/ByresRoadCorners, will be regularly updated throughout the entire process.