Flowers to enjoy at Woodlands Community Garden

On Thursday 24th August, I enjoyed spending time in Woodlands Community Garden. It is a beautiful place where you can relax and stop for a break.

View of raised beds that are full of flowers

This garden is a productive space with people using raised beds to grow fruit, flowers and vegetables for their families. 

The memorial bench for Esther Brown.

There are several benches within the garden where you can sit to appreciate this amazing greenspace. if you want to meet other people in Woodlands, there are gardening sessions and social events advertised on the garden's noticeboard.

Scottish Fire & Rescue Services Operational Changes 2023-2024

We have to protect our Scottish Fire & Rescue Services. Specifically, I object to the removal of the Maryhill Fire Station's 2nd Pump which is located within the Hillhead Ward that I have been elected to represent. 

This area is a growing, densely populated community which includes significant student housing accommodation, tenemental flats, multi-storey flats, many historic listed buildings at risk, higher education institutions (University of Glasgow, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), local schools, community health facilities, hotels, B&Bs, and main high streets (Byres Road, Great Western Road, Woodlands Road).  Recently, it has helped in hosting the cycling championships and is a focus for visitors/tourists to Glasgow. It is bounded by the Forth and Clyde Canal and is cut through by the River Kelvin.

 

There is a significant risk from surface water flooding, climate change impacts, and wildfires as well as fire raising, accidental fires in tenement flats or multi storeys, and serious road accidents across the area which can require a response from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. With an aging, vulnerable population, home safety fire visits are crucial.

 

I appreciate the difficult financial climate but I hope that additional funding can be secured to protect the vital frontline provision of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

Flytipping at Burnbank Terrace and Seamore Street

Yesterday, I supported residents to clean up flytipping within the Burnbank Terrace and Seamore Street area. There is ongoing concern about the dumping of items that could be recycled including cardboard and furniture. 

Items gathered as part of the clean up

More households items could be recycled and donated to charities rather than dumped in the street to create an eyesore and public health issues. There are many charity shops within Great Western Road and Byres Road who would welcome items to help raise funds for their good causes.

Many thanks to the residents and council services who assist in cleaning up the flytipping in our streets. 

Vital role of Woodside Leisure Centre

There is a vital role for Woodside Leisure Centre at Braid Square in providing access to swimming pool, fitness studio and gym facilities for local residents and wider community. It has a Victorian pool and it is the oldest swimming baths in Glasgow.

View of Woodside Leisure Centre / Glasgow Club North Woodside

The opening hours are Monday to Friday.

There are also free swimming lessons available on Mondays, 

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Ongoing support and investment is needed in the staff and services provided by Woodside Leisure Centre to promote the health and wellbeing of the local community. 

Woodside Viaduct Update

From Friday 21st July, essential works on A804 Phoenix Road as part of the repairs to M8 Woodside Viaducts J16-18 are underway. A full road closure of the A804 Phoenix Road for vehicles is required to complete permanent bridge repairs. 

Road closure signage at junction of Phoenix Road and St, Georges Road

Access routes for pedestrians and cyclists has been maintained.

Information provided to residents has advised that the road closure will be maintained until further notice. Emergency service access will not maintained while this closure is in place and therefore, emergency vehicles will be required to use the diversion routes as sign posted.

Traffic congestion and air pollution levels in surrounding streets of Garscube Road, St. Georges Road and Maryhill Road are ongoing concerns for residents and visitors to the area. 

Road safety concerns at University Avenue

There are ongoing road safety concerns for pedestrians when they are crossing at University Avenue due to speeding vehicles, illegal parking and vehicles going through red lights.

Pedestrian crossing at Oakfield Avenue

View of the intersection of Kelvin Way with University Avenue

Pedestrian crossing at junction of Bank Street

It has been requested that this area is redesigned to slow down vehicles and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, especially 600 children attending the local primary school and nursery.

Flash flooding on Byres Road

On Friday 16th June, there was a heavy thunderstorm which caused flash flooding. I observed a river running down Byres Road at its peak.

At junction of Byres Road and Cresswell Street

On Byres Road between Cresswell Street and Great George Street

At junction of Great George Street and Byres Road

Surface water outside the Curler's Rest

I am very concerned about the risk of some businesses being flooded during these heavy thunderstorms. 

Information on flood risk can be found on the website of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA): 

https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/water/flooding.