Festive greetings

I enjoyed a visit to the Cloisters at the University of Glasgow in recent weeks. They were decorated with beautiful festive lighting.

View of the cloisters

Wishing you are very happy festive holiday and a peaceful, healthy new year.

Road safety at Oakfield Avenue

Residents has highlighted that vehicles are crossing the pavement from Oakfield Avenue to Great Western Road. This is the location of a busy bus stop and main route for pedestrians.

Heras fencing was erected to stop vehicle movements.

 

Some people have moved the heras fencing but this is not in the interests of road safety. It is my understanding that a new heritage bollard will be provided at this location instead of the heras fencing, in the new year.

M8 Woodside Viaduct Works

 The essential maintenance work on the bridges of the eastbound and westbound M8 Junctions 16 to Junction 17 Woodside Viaduct continues.

Traffic management has involved a lane closure and traffic diversions

Scaffolding erected to support propping  

Access provided for walking and cycling

There are concerns about the lighting faults on the access route for pedestrians and cyclists. There is a need to repair and maintain lighting within the route as part of the works.

Remembering Adrian McGill

On 19th November, the 50th Anniversary of Adrian McGill's death, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service held a memorial service in Adrian's honour at a heritage plaque on the Maryhill Road site.

Wreathes at the plaque remembering Adrian McGill 

My thoughts and respects to everyone involved in this fitting tribute to a brave firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice to help save people's lives and protect the local communities in Glasgow.

Flooding at Kelvin Walkway

There are ongoing concerns about the flooding at Kelvin Walkway next to the Eldon Street Bridge. 

River Kelvin at Eldon Street Bridge

Surface water on Kelvin Walkway

Mud and surface water located at Eldon Street Bridge

There are difficulties for pedestrians and cyclists using the Kelvin Walkway as the current drainage arrangements are overwhelmed by increased rainfall.  There is a need to find ways to reduce the surface water gathering on the footpath and invest in improvement to local drainage.

Support of Women, Life and Freedom

On 19th November, I joined the march and rally in support of Women, Life and Freedom from Kelvin Way to Glasgow Green.

Banners in support of #mahsaamini #FreeIran

I support calls for the violence against protesters in Iran to stop immediately. as well as an end to discrimination and violence against women.

Support for climate strike

There was a youth climate strike with march and rally in Glasgow on Friday 28th October. I attended to show my support for the activists involved in efforts to ensure that global temperatures do not rise above 1.5C.

Support for renewable energy

Stop the proposal for a new oil field called Rosebank 

Ahead of COP27, there were calls for world leaders to act to stop new oil and gas fields and deliver a Just Transition due to catastrophic climate change affecting us.

Bee-friendly Wilton Street

On Wilton Street, you can admire a variety of front gardens with lots of flowers and wildlife friendly planting. There is ongoing support from local gardeners to encourage pollinators to visit this street.

I hope that residents will continue to share their gardening know-how and encourage more people in the area to help nature.

New sculptures at Lacrosse Terrace

On a walkabout, I discovered some sculptures installed in the greenspace at Lacrosse Terrace. This is a local open space that has been enhanced by artworks.

 View of sculptures including red heart and seahorse.

Many thanks to the people involved in the improvements and provision of the new artworks. I think this is supported by the Coach House Trust.

Black History Month Exhibition

This month, I visited the impressive Zaneli Muholi exhibition 'SOMNYAMA NYONYAMA' (Hail the Dark Lioness) at the East Quad, University of Glasgow in partnership with Street Level Photoworks, The Hunterian and Belfast Photo Festival. There are a series of large scale self-portraits in response to racism, sexism and homophobia. Mulholi is both the photographer and the subject.

View of the exhibition signage 

View of the East Quadrangle

There are a series of large scale self-portraits in response to racism, sexism and homophobia. Mulholi is both the photographer and the subject. This photographic exhibition continues until 6th November 2022.

Visit to Belgrave Lane

On a visit to Belgrave Lane, I stopped for a picnic at the community garden. This is well maintained greenspace providing a much needed outdoor meeting place.

Views of Belgrave Lane's Community Garden

There is ongoing work to look after this vital public amenity for community benefit including repairs to the wall and tree planting.

Support for a Traffic Free Kelvin Way

There is ongoing support for Kelvin Way to be retained as a traffic-free space. New planters have been installed at the junction of University Avenue and Kelvin Way as part of public realm enhancements.

Views of Kelvin Way

Further public consultation on improvements to Kelvin Way is expected later this year. This is supported as part of the Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village Project.

Completion of North Kelvinside Primary

This month, I have observed the completion of the new primary school and its grounds on Queen Margaret Drive.  There is a new pedestrian crossing installed as part of the school development.

Views of the new primary school on Queen Margaret Drive

The school has developed alongside the existing Belhaven Nursery School. Thanks to everyone involved in the school building works. This is much welcomed investment to support families in the area. 

Accessing the great outdoors by bike

This month, I have continued to enjoy accessing the great outdoors by bike. Like many people, I go cycling on the scenic towpaths of the Scottish Canals. Locally, the Forth and Clyde Canal supports cycling by offering a traffic free, and pollution free route for cyclists of all levels. 

View of the canal towpath

Information about Glasgow's smart canal to manage flood risk

The investment in the towpath at Stockingfield Junction has improved the city's cycling provision. This is very much welcomed in support of active travel and encouraging people to cycle more.

Road closure at Kelvinside Terrace South

This week, I heard from residents that the roadway at Kelvinside Terrace South, between Doune Quadrant and Queen Margaret Road had been closed.

View of road closure signs at Doune Quadrant.

View of the crack in the roadway.

View of road closure signs at Sixty Steps, Queen Margaret Road.

Further information on the road closure and the condition of the roadway has been requested from council officials.

Tenement repairs at Oakfield Avenue

On Sunday 19th September 2021, a wall of a tenement collapsed in Oakfield Avenue. Yesterday, I visited the street to view the programme of works at the property.

View of the tenement surrounded by protective fencing.

Oakfield Avenue continues to be closed between Glasgow Street and Great Western Road until the works are completed.

Road closure signage at Oakfield Avenue

Neighbours are awaiting an update on the programme of work to the tenement at 16-18 Oakfield Avenue. In recent weeks, scaffolding has been erected to enable the repair and maintenance works to neighbouring tenements within the street.

View of the tenements in Oakfield Avenue undergoing maintenance works.

There is a need for ongoing investment in fabric repairs of tenements across Hillhead. Further advice to support residents seeking improvements to their tenement building is available from Under One Roof.

Use of meeting room at Woodside Library

As part of the restoration works at Woodside Library on St. Georges Road, there are improved facilities for holding meetings for residents and local discussion groups.

This month, the meeting spaces have been vital for engaging with residents to discuss housing issues, back lane improvements and building works. Many thanks to the staff at Glasgow Life for their assistance in use of the facilities.

Opening up of canal towpath

This month, the opening up of the canal towpath at the new Stockingfield Junction Bridge has been very much appreciated.

Views of the improved canal towpath

The new bridge is expect to be completed in the next few weeks. Thanks to everyone involved in the works to improve accessibility at the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Concern about empty buildings

Many residents are fearful about the number of empty properties in the area. The lack of repair and maintenance of these buildings creates eyesores on local streets.

Owners of empty buildings are encouraged to give attention to their upkeep including stopping weeds and vegetation growing on roofs or gutters.

No Mow Summer

This year, more people have supported No Mow Summer. This is needed to support biodiversity. Less lawn mowing is making a huge difference to wildlife in gardens. Also, I have noticed lots of beautiful flowers in tenement gardens during July.

South Woodside Road

West Princes Street

There are many gardens that help wild flowers and struggling pollinators. They give nectar rich food to butterflies and bees, as well as seeds, berries and cover for birds and small mammals.

New mural on West Princes Street

There is a stunning new mural on the corner of West Princes Street and Park Road. It celebrates nature with striking images of toads, a snake, and a heron.

There is a collection of murals in the Woodlands, Kelvinbridge and Byre Road areas to enjoy. Hopefully, we can develop a west end mural trail similar to the experience of the city centre.

Future Surgeries in 2022

I will be available to meet residents with concerns within local libraries.

Please note the following information about my surgeries:-

1st Friday of each month from August 2022 from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Woodside Library.

3rd Friday of each month from August from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Hillhead Library.

You can drop - in or book an appointment in advance by email or text message. 

Also, I can meet by appointment using MS teams on the following days:-

1st Wednesday of each month from August 2022 from 7 - 8pm

3rd Wednesday of each month from August 2022 from 7 - 8pm

I can continue to meet outdoors in local public parks by appointment only.

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thankyou.

Glasgow University Campus Development

An update of the Glasgow University Campus Development Plan was shared at a community engagement event on Monday 13th June. Attendees were provided with an overview of the construction works.

View of University Place with limited car parking spaces

There are residents living within University Place who are seeking reassurance that new buildings will not infringe on their privacy. There were questions raised about lighting, cleaning and office design. It is anticipated that further dialogue with residents will take place to resolve their concerns. 

There is a festival called Arcadia planned by the University to celebrate the opening of the new campus facilities in September 2022.

Civic Street Open Days over the Summer

On Saturday 4th June, I attended the open day at Civic Street to support discussions on ideas to enhance open space and accessibility at Civic House. There are opportunities to get involved by attending other open days over the Summer.

Reference is made to local heritage

Ideas for ways to improve the area include changes to street layout

Information about future open days on 2nd July, 6th August and 3rd September

View of existing open space area between Civic Street and Garscube Road

You are very welcome at the open days, where practical workshops are available to support wildlife, reuse, repair, recycling and cycling.