Transforming George Square
George Street Glasgow - stockimages
By Emma Crossan
New plans for George Square are on the horizon as the Avenues Programme is now halfway towards completion. Work started January 12th to install new granite surfaces on the road along the north of the Square.
The current completed preparation works will allow the council to begin granite paving, landscaping and tree planting inside the hoarding during Spring.
The road between Queen Street and North Frederick Street will be closed due to road works for the next three months. Further work is scheduled to begin on the road of the south of the Square in April.
Builders on a construction site - stockimages
Rush hour traffic in Glasgow is already stressful but with the roadworks going on multiple detours are taking place making the already hectic streets chock-a-block.
Most of the £123 million Avenues Programme is set to be completed by the first half of this year, including the section of Argyle Street from the Kingston Bridge to Central Station.
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: "This is the year when Glaswegians are going to see major changes to the city centre and the emergence of the international-quality public spaces they deserve.
"By summer, 10 of the 16 Avenues making up the programme will have been completed, including several key routes into town and the western section of Argyle Street. Take a walk to the most recently completed Avenues around Pitt Street and Holland Street and you'll already see how they're creating a more European-style environment. That's more attractive to residents and visitors but also creates much better conditions for the investment which is coming into the city.”
City Chambers building in George Square - stockimages
The Avenues Programme is an initiative which aims to transform Glasgow into a more vibrant environment for investment and public activity.
The last remaining sections of the Argyle Street West Avenue are due to be completed in March, while the Duke Street and John Knox Street Avenues are set to be finished in April.