Support for Winter Reading Challenge

Today, I noticed the poster for the winter reading challenge on the doorway of Woodside Library. Local libraries are encouraging children to get involved in reading. They are also available as warm places to visit during the festive holidays. Staff can provide support and advice with choosing books and accessing information to help you and your family.

Poster for the reading challenge

Opening times of Woodside Library over the festive holidays.

I will be continuing with my monthly surgeries at Woodside Library from 3rd January 2024, except for School Holidays in July and August.

Roadway is opened at Kelvinside Terrace South

This week, the roadway at Kelvinside Terrace South, between Doune Quadrant and Queen Margaret Road had been re-opened.

Bollards have been installed in the centre of the roadway

After more than 2 years, this has been possible through discussion and agreement between local residents, community councillors, elected councillors and council officers. 

Council resources have provided the bollards for use as planters. One side of the roadway next to the wall can be used by motorised vehicles and the other side nearer the riverbank is prioritised for cyclists. The re-opening of the roadway is subject to a 12 month pilot project. 

New signage for Napiershall Park

In Woodside, the council-owned greenspace at Napiershall Street has been improved with tree planting and provision of new signage with support from Connecting Woodside and council resources.

View of trees planted

View of the two new signs

Napiershall Park is now recognised on the council's greenspace map and it is protected as open space for the public to enjoy.

Footpath under Woodside Viaduct

Whilst the works are completed on the Woodside Viaduct, the footpath is still open between Cowcaddens Subway and Garscube Road

View of the Woodside Viaduct at Garscube Road

The footpath under the Woodside Viaduct

Footway between heras fencing and boundary wall of the works

This active travel route is necessary for pedestrians and walkers getting around the area for their work, studies, shopping, housing or family/friends.

Access to the canal towpath at Speirs Wharf

During a walkabout, I took the stairway from Sawmillfield Street on to the canal towpath at Speirs Wharf. There is a metal wheeling ramp for bikes on this route.

View of the wheeling metal ramp for bikes.

View of canal towpath at Speirs Wharf

From Speirs Wharf, there is a set of stairs and cycle route to use to/from Garscube Road and Cowacaddens Subway. There have been accessibility improvements with a handrail at this stairway.

View of the stairway linking Garscube Road to Speirs Wharf.

This area of the towpath provides excellent views of the city centre and the west end. It is well used by local residents including dog walkers, jogglers, and cyclist as well as tourists.

Celebration of Napiershall Park

This year, the greenspace located between Napiershall Street, North Woodside Road and Mount Street is being named as Napiershall Park. This has been agreed after community engagement with local residents, community councillors and local councillors.

View of the Napiershall Park

It is hoped that new signage for the park will be installed in the next few months. This improvement work aims to ensure that this greenspace is protected for future generations.

Street bin located at corner of Burnbank Gardens

Further to a request from a resident, a street bin has been located at the corner of Burnbank Gardens and Napiershall Street.

View of the new street bin

This bin aims to reduce the amount of street littering and improve the area for local residents as well as any visitors.

Halloween Trail in Hillhead

This evening, I enjoyed meeting with residents to take part in Halloween Celebrations within Hillhead. There were pumpkin lanterns and artworks in the windows.

Decorations on Kersland Street

Many thanks for everyone's efforts including Kersland Street Residents Association for a memorable evening for families across the Hillhead area.

Celebration of George Wylie's creativity

Last weekend, I made a visit to the museum of George Wylie. This art collection is located at Greenock Ocean Terminal on the waterfront, which is a short walk from Greenock Central Railway Station.

Views of The Wyllieum

I enjoyed learning about the life and works of George Wylie who worked as a Customs and Excise Officer in Greenock for 30 years before dedicating his time to art. 

View of the gallery space

This museum was opened in March 2024. The opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday 12 - 5pm with entry being free of charge.

Active Travel improvements at Charing Cross Junction

The essential maintenance and upgrade works at the Charing Cross Junction are progressing as planned with a series of diversions for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians in place. There is an upgrade of the traffic signals and enhancements for walking and cycling at the junction.

View of the works from the footbridge over the M8 

There is significant disruption from the closure of a section of the St. Georges Road as part of the project delivery.  This work is being undertaken as a redesign of the area which links with Sauchiehall Street Avenue. 

At the same time, the planned roadworks are continuing on the M8 from junctions 16 to 17 to support maintenance of the Woodside Viaduct structure.

Road safety concerns at Hillhead Street

Residents are very concerned about the high risk of vehicle collisions at the corner of Gibson Street and Hillhead Street. Regularly, there has been damage to the garden wall at this corner.

Junction of Gibson Street/Hillhead Street

No right turn signage and no entry signage at this junction

Road marking at this corner with limited space to manoeuvre

There are ongoing issues with speeding vehicles coming up Gibson Street and some vehicles not observing the one way signage. 

It is vital that drivers not turn right at the Top of Great George Street at Hillhead Street.

Some drivers are turning right from Great George Street on to Hillhead Street and meeting other traffic from Gibson Street head on. Further action is needed to ensure that drivers are following the one way system in Hillhead.

The no entry sign at the junction of Great George Street with Hillhead Street to be clear.

Clean up at Kersland Street

The residents association of Kersland Street are involved in regular clean ups and environmental improvements to their street. There are lots of flowering plants in gardens to brighten up the area.

Red flowering plants in pots in a front garden

Large pink flowering hibiscus shrub in a front garden

Flowering plants in pots at a main entrance

Flowering hanging baskets at a main doorway.

Through a coordination of efforts by residents, there are significant improvements in the street and community involvement has created a more attractive streetscape.

Flowers at Melrose Gardens

There is a mix of flowering plants within the grounds of St. Charles Borromeo Oratory and public stairway at Melrose Gardens. These garden spaces support pollinators and brings colour to the local neighbourhood.

View of the flowering plants

This gardening project continues to be supported by local people involved in Glasgow Flower Gardens. There are sites across the West End including Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

Sign for Glasgow Flower Gardens.

Revamp of stairs to Kelvin Walkway

Today, I was glad to find that the railings on the stairs from Belmont Street to Kelvin Walkway have been painted.

View of entrance to the concrete stairs

View of railings painted black 

Another view of railings painted black 

The painting of the railings was completed thanks to people on Community Payback Orders after a request for their support was submitted as part of my work as a councillor. I hope that residents and visitors find that this paintwork has enhanced the appearance of the stairs.

Public art installed at St. Mungo's Square

There is a public art installation by Glasgow-based artist Ruth Ewan in St. Mungo's Square, University of Glasgow. This installation is part of the year long programme to promote culture and the arts within the campus development of the University.

Motorway works at Phoenix Flowers, Garscube Road

The phoenix flowers have been removed as part of the motorway works for the M8 Woodside Viaduct. There is a heras fence surrounding the remains of the flowers.

There are motorway works within the junction of Phoenix Road and Garscube Road

The underpass remains open for pedestrians and cyclists during the works.

There are ongoing concerns about flooding within the underpass.

This is an essential active travel route between Cowcaddens and Garscube Road or the canal towpath.

There are significant diversions in place for motorised vehicles at Garscube Road. This work is being carried out by Amey on behalf of Transport Scotland. 

Walk along the Forth & Clyde Canal

There is a relaxing walk along the canal towpath from Cowcaddens, passed Speirs Wharf to the Applecross Basin. There is a community cafe at Applecross Basin offers a relaxing stop for a break.

View of the canal at Speirs Wharf and the Sculpture Studios

Cafe at the Gathering Ground, next to Applecross Basin

Elephant Sculpture at canal towpath

Applecross basin's bridge opened.

Canal barge making its way to Speirs Wharf.

There are barges established along the canal towpath and they provide much needed accommodation for some families.

Public realm works at Byres Road

Progress is being made with phase 1 of the public realm improvements on Byres Road. The footways have been enhanced and the cycle lane is nearing completion at the southern end.

Cycle lane under construction

The installation of traffic signals on the cycle lanes is expected in August. New artworks are being incorporated in to the streetscape.

View of artwork near Church Street

The completion of public realm works will be continuing in the coming months, with the next phase on the northern end of Byres Road expected to start in early 2025.