Council report provides update on the Calton Barras Action Plan

A Glasgow City Council committee today (21 November) noted a report updating progress on the Calton Barras Action Plan (CBAP).

The report is timely given that work on the first phase of new public realm at the Barras will begin in January 2018.

The CBAP - funded by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund - was established in 2012 with the aim of delivering the physical regeneration of this area, immediately to the east of Glasgow city centre, and the aspiration of creating a healthier and more sustainable neighbourhood through a place-making approach and enhancing access to employment opportunities, green space, local facilities and services.

CBAP's first phase - preceding the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - saw the creation of Barrowland Park, a temporary park on the vacant site bounded by Gallowgate, London Road and Moir Street containing an album path by artist Jim Lambie which details bands that have played at the Barrowland Ballroom; a vacant and underused floorspace scheme with access funding scored through criteria such as job creation and impact on vitality and appearance of the Barras market area; a shopfront improvement scheme with 74 local businesses benefiting; art installations along London Road; and a number of environmental improvements at Monteith Row, Spoutmouth and other locations.  In addition, initial public realm improvement works at London Road, Gallowgate and Moir Street were completed by June 2014.

Subsequent projects delivered through CBAP have focused on the development of vacant buildings and public realm enhancements.  Some notable projects already delivered in this phase include the St Luke's music and arts venue; the Many Studios gallery and studio space; the BAaD events venue which includes the use of containers to create flexible workspaces and an attractive outdoor 'yard'; Stalled Spaces funding for six projects selected to activate under-used space in the Barras market area; and environmental improvements to Bain Square, a crucial space forming a link between Calton and the Barras.

Among other forthcoming projects in the area is the regeneration of the former Meat Market site, which will be funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with a draft masterplan now complete and environmental conditions and potential land remediation studied.

Future developments in the Barras market area will be guided by the Barras Masterplan, which aims to retain the market and retail function of the area while allowing for the introduction of different uses over time to create a unique, vibrant market/mixed use destination immediately to the east of Glasgow Cross.

Work on the first phase of the Barras Public Realm project will begin in January 2018, with improvements to the internal streets of the Barras and the resurfacing of Mercat Cross.  This phase is also funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.  The second phase - subject to Traffic Regulation Orders - will aim to improve the key streets and junctions adjacent to the Barras, primarily Gallowgate and London Road, and will begin in the autumn of 2018.

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: "The Calton Barras Action Plan has achieved a significant amount in recent years - as the success of businesses such as St Luke's and the improved shopfronts show - but more needs to be done.  So I am delighted that the ongoing and future work we will be doing with our partners will continue the transformation of this important area, itself a gateway to the city centre and the East End."