Scotland's Climate March in Glasgow

Yesterday, I joined thousands of campaigners at Scotland's Climate March - A Better World is Possible who gathered at Glasgow Green.

Support for no new fossil fuels.

Investment needed in a Just Transition for Workers.

This march provided global solidarity for climate justice and climate action during the COP30 Summit in Brazil.

Remembering significant people with blue plaques

We can remember significant people through the provision of blue plaques on the buildings where they lived or worked. I noticed the blue plaque for Deborah Kerr, an actress, at Ruskin Terrace, in Hillhead where she was born.

Blue plaque for Deborah Kerr at 7 Ruskin Terrace installed in 2021.

There are other blue plaques for you to find across Glasgow. The latest plaques installed are located at 4 Clouston Street. They commemorate the painter and sculptor, J. D. Fergusson and the choreographer and dancer, Margaret Morris.

View of blue plaques at 4 Clouston Street unveiled by the Lord Provost 

and supported by North Kelvin Community Council

Further information is available from the webpage at: List of blue plaques - Wikipedia

Installation of Kelvinbridge Art Project

This week, ceramic artworks have been installed with a new school sign on the walls of the Hillhead Primary on Gibson Street. This is supported by the Gibson Street Gala Committee and the School Community.

View of penguins on the clocktower at Hillhead Primary.

View of frogs on the wall of Hillhead Primary

View of new sign on the wall of Hillhead Primary

As an environmental art project, it is promoting nature and creativity. It is an enhancement of our local streetscape, alongside the nearby mural, on Gibson Street. 

Celebrate autumn at Kelvin Walkway

Yesterday, I enjoyed the autumn colours whilst on a walk along the Kelvin Walkway. This is a quieter route for walk or cycling around the West End of Glasgow.

Autumn leaves on the banks of the River Kelvin

Views of River Kelvin including The Weir

View of the footpath, next to Queen Margaret Road

Further repairs and maintenance is needed to the railings along the Kelvin Walkway. More water safety provision is required to help prevent the loss of life from drowning.

Trees for Streets Initiative

There is a trees for streets initiative established between Glasgow City Council and Trees for Cities. It aims to increase the number of street trees across the city.

Trees planted in Woodlands

It is possible for residents to sponsor the planting of new trees within the Hillhead Ward. This can enhance existing area of woodlands or support a new street tree on your street. Details at: Lets fill Glasgow with trees - Trees for Streets

Temporary Closure of Queen Margaret Road

There is a temporary road closure on Queen Margaret Road and Kelvinside Terrace South from 27th October to 5th December 2025. 

Signage at the road closure on Doune Quadrant

View of cones installed at Kelvinside Terrace South

Signage for road closure at Queen Margaret Road

This is required to complete restoration work on the retaining wall and railings. There are repairs needed on the stonework to protect the important heritage of the 60 Steps in the 150th Anniversary of the death of Alexander "Greek" Thomson.

Consultation about Scottish Fire & Rescue Services

This month, the public were given an opportunity to submit comments on the proposals for the future of Scottish Fire & Rescue Services.

View of Maryhill Fire Station

There were three fire appliances were withdrawn on a temporary basis from Fire Stations at Govan, Cowcaddens and Maryhill in 2023. The consultation supported the reinstatement of the second wholetime fire appliance at Maryhill Fire Station which I supported in my response.

Cycle lane along St. Georges Road to junction of Maryhill Road

This month, the cycle lane works are progressing along St. Georges Road, to the junction of Maryhill Road and St. Georges Place. 

View of cycle lane under construction on St. Georges Road

There is a road closure on St. George's Road from St. Georges Place to Maryhill Road during these works. There are restrictions on access to the local footpaths and roadway during these works.

Support for Peace Walk in Kelvingrove Park

This month, I supported the Beacon of Peace Scotland Charity Committee's fun walk/run along the footpaths of the Kelvingrove Park. I joined members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Scotland in this charity walk.

Banner for the Peace Walk

This was a family event which raised funds for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and the Beatson Cancer Charity. 

Further improvement works at Byres Road

The next phase of improvement works at Byres Road is underway. Currently, there are traffic management arrangements in place from its junction with University Avenue.

View of traffic lights on Byres Road

Construction works at the junction of Byres Road with University Avenue.

Public realm improvements at the junction of Byres Road with University Avenue.

There will be a cycle path created which continues up to Great Western Road.  The works will last for approximately 24 months.

Maintenance work at M8 Woodside Viaduct

This week, there has been an update provided about the maintenance works for the M8 Woodside Viaduct by Transport Scotland. There are further delays to the completion of the design and construction works. 

View of the current closure of Phoenix Road

View of the scaffolding above the pedestrian underpass next to Braid Square. 

It is anticipated that traffic management will be removed from the Eastbound carriageway of the M8 in the Autumn of 2026. However the works affected the westbound carriageway are not expected to be complete until the Autumn of 2027. 

There are ongoing concerns from residents and businesses in the area due to the disruption from the M8 maintenance programme.  Air quality, road safety and traffic congestion are significant issues affected the Woodside community due to these works.

Repair to Grant Street, Woodlands

Thankfully the sink hole on Grant Street, next to the junction of St Georges Road, has been repaired. Residents have raised ongoing concerns about the hole in the road over the last 12 months.

The repair has improved road safety on Grant Street. The ongoing maintenance of this local residential street is a priority.

Cycle lane at St. Georges Road

There has been significant progress on the cycle lane along St. Georges Road, this month. The first section of cycle lane has been completed from Charing Cross to Maryhill Road.

Improvements to junction at West Princes Street and St Georges Road

The cycle lane is open along this first section of St. Georges Road which is enhancing safety of cycling for residents living in the Woodlands area. It is also encouraging people to travel around the area on bike.

View of the cycle lane on St. Georges Road.

This active travel improvement work is possible with funding from Scottish Government for Connecting Woodside. 

Pedestrian crossing at Park Quadrant

This month, the road works to introduce a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Park Quadrant and Cliff Road were completed.  This was designed after feedback was provided by disabled residents with ongoing road safety concerns when trying to crossing this roadway.

View of the roadworks underway to create the pedestrian crossing

The new crossing will support residents walking around the area, as well as disabled people using mobility aids and families with children using prams or wheelchairs in the street.

View of the completed pedestrian crossing and road markings.

This work has been completed by the council after a series of meetings, site visits and correspondence involving residents and councillors over many months. Any feedback on the impact of this work is welcomed.

New bins in Kelvingrove Park

This Summer, I noticed that new metal bins have been installed within Kelvingrove Park. This is an improvement on the bin provision as they are promoting the architecture and heritage of the park.

View of the new bin provision

There are ongoing concerns about littering and the use of disposable BBQs in parks due to the increased risk of wildfires during heatwaves. There are proposals in some local authorities to ban disposable BBQs in public parks and woodland areas to prevent damage to trees, benches and wildlife. 

We know that it is vital that the park is safe for everyone. These bins can be well used to reduce littering problems and increase the city's recycling activity.

Progress on new build, at Burnbank Gardens.

Today, I noticed progress with the construction works for social housing at Burnbank Gardens. This work is possible through a housing grant to local housing associations.

View of the building site at Burnbank Gardens.

It is exciting to observe that there is a contractor at this site. When this development is completed, it will support older people to access suitable social housing for their needs.

Support of back lanes in tenement areas

There are significant improvements which have enhanced the environment within Carrington Lane, Woodlands. The lane was cleaned up through the efforts of residents with support from council funding for back lanes.

View of the lane from West Princes Street

View of the gate installed at the lane entrance

View of the improved surface in the back lane.

This back lane is privately owned. Since the refurbishment, it has remained in good condition with the new gate closed over and ongoing maintenance being carried out by the residents.

Public realm improvements at North Woodside Road

The plants to support pollinators and encourage biodiversity have been provided at the rain garden next to Lansdowne Church, on North Woodside Road.

New area with rain garden at cycle lane, North Woodside Road.

Pollinator friendly planting in rain garden, on North Woodside Road.

 

New area of cycle lane, bike parking, bike repair facility,

and bike storage on North Woodside.

This investment to enhance the local environment in North Woodside Road as well as support for cyclists in the neighbourhoods, is part of Connecting Woodside.

Environmental health concerns from bird food

There are ongoing concerns about bird food being left within public spaces by residents. This food is encouraging vermin within greenspaces including public parks and play areas. 

New signage has been designed and installed by the council to discourage residents from leaving bird food within public spaces.

Cycle lane works at St. Georges Road

This week, I noticed significant progress to complete the cycle lane on St. Georges Road. During the last month, there has been creation of the cycle lane starting from Charing Cross.

View of the new cycle lane between Charing Cross and St. Georges Cross

Pedestrian crossings at junction with West Princes Street are closed off

The pedestrian crossing at St. Georges Cross at junction with St. Georges Road is the main crossing point whilst works are progressing at junction of West Princes Street. The slip road from the M8 motorway is also closed.

View of St Georges Road with roadworks 

There are significant restrictions on traffic movements along St. Georges Road with diversions in place. At the moment, traffic can travel one way from Charing Cross to St. Georges Cross.

Support for mosaic bollards at Woodlands

In recent weeks, I noticed that one of the bollards at Park Road had been damaged but thankfully, it has been reinstated. These bollards were established as part of neighbourhood improvements with support from local schools and Impact Arts in 1997.

Many thanks for the efforts by everyone involved in protecting and preserving these unique mosaic bollards. 

Ash Dieback infected trees at Queen Margaret Drive

There were ash trees infected with disease on the corner of Queen Margaret Drive and Maryhill Road. Tree works have been completed by the council in the last few weeks.

Four tree stumps after the removal of the infected ash trees 

More tree stumps after the removal of the infected ash trees 

It seems that a total of 23 trees were removed. This greenspace area is being assessed for possible replanting of trees as part of the Council's Tree Action Plan.