Emergency Works on M8 Woodside Viaduct

There is continued access for pedestrians and cyclists whilst the emergency work is undertaken at the M8 Woodside Viaduct.

View of underpass

View of works on concrete pillars.

The maintenance of the street lighting and street cleansing is a high priority. I am gathering information about any littering to be removed during my regular walkabouts.

Work beginning on former Hillhead Baptist Church

There is increased concern about the number of vacant or derelict buildings across Woodlands, Hillhead and Park Circus areas. It is hoped that the owners can be encouraged to invest in these buildings which are listed and within a conservation area. 

Last week, it was good to find that works are beginning on the former Hillhead Baptist Church to create housing.

The most serious concerns have been raised about derelict properties on Bank Street. This street has experienced ongoing issues with abandoned buildings. Further support and assistance has been requested from the empty homes officer at the council.

Street lighting in Kelvingrove Park

During the last month, I have reported faults affecting existing street lights within walking and cycling routes at Kelvin Way, Sunlight Road and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Lighting faults repaired on Sunlight Road, within Kelvingrove Park     

Lighting faults fixed in Kelvin Way.

I complete regular walkabouts to gather information and report street lighting faults to council officials. It is a priority to ensure that the existing street lights within Kelvingrove Park are well maintained.

New bollards on Lynedoch Street

This week, new bollards have been installed on Lynedoch Street. The previous bollards had been damaged by passing vehicles.

There is ongoing concern about speeding vehicles. It is hoped that the new bollards will support road safety and safer driving on the Park Circus area. 

Surgeries for January 2022

 During January, I will be available to meet residents with concerns.

Please note the following information about my outdoor surgeries:-

Friday 21st January from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Cresswell Street Playpark, Cresswell Street.

Please wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain 2 metres distance. 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:-

Wednesday 5th January from 7 - 8pm

Wednesday 19th January from 7 - 8pm

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thankyou.

Student tower block at New City Road

This month, a new student accommodation tower block has been completed on New City Road. It is dominating the local skyline due to its size and scale. 

View of the new block on New City Road, next to M8 and St. Georges Cross

The new development has a negative impact on the views of local heritage across the west end including the local church spires and University Tower. It is also out of place alongside the nearby 4-storey flats and primary school. 

Landscaping works have been undertaken but there could be further improvements. It is located on an important active travel route from St. Georges Road under the M8 through to Cowcaddens, which is expecting an upgrade with the Underline Project.

Update on my surgeries for Hillhead Ward

During December, I will be available to meet residents with concerns.

Please note the following information about my outdoor surgeries:-

Friday 3rd December from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Wilton Street Community Garden, Wilton Street.

Friday 17th December from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Cresswell Street Playpark, Cresswell Street.

Please wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain 2 metres distance. 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:-

Wednesday 1st December from 7 - 8pm

Wednesday 15th December from 7 - 8pm

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thankyou.

Glasgow's Canal celebrates renewable energy

This month, there are striking flags designed by artists, Morag Myerscough at Speirs Wharf. These flags were made from recycled plastic and conveyed the importance of renewable energy. 

View of flags at Speirs Wharf

The flags were installed as part of COP26 activities and promoted the sun, sea and air that we need to deliver a renewable future.

New bike hire station at Clifton Street

There is a new bike hire station located at Clifton Street / Kelvingrove Park East. This cycling investment in the Park area is very welcome.

The support for cycle hire provision is making a huge difference in reducing transport emissions and encouraging more people to choose active travel to get around the city.

Restoration of Woodside Library

 Today, I looked at the external restoration works at Woodside Library on St. Georges Road.

View of dome and stonework.

Views of frontage and main entrance.

The scaffolding has been removed. It would appear that the dome installation and roof works have been completed. I will seek further information on progress from the staff involved at Glasgow Life. 

Glasgow to Global Exhibition

RSPB Scotland has a living exhibition taking place in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens until 12 November. On my visit today, I walked through the space demonstrating how urban streets, gardens, peatlands, grasslands, seas and coasts and forests can help to tackle the nature and climate emergency. 

View of display about the role of backcourts and community gardens

This exhibition is supporting efforts to raise awareness of nature in Scotland being in crisis with 1 in 9 species facing extinction. Action is needed to help nature restoration including Scotland's peat bogs which act as a massive carbon sink.

Stabilising tenement on Oakfield Avenue

Today, I noticed that works have been completed to stabilise the tenement on Oakfield Avenue.

Steel sheeting was erected to close off the area and this remains in place to create an exclusion zone. Further information on proposals to repair the building are awaited.

Surgeries for November 2021

Update on my surgeries for Hillhead Ward

During November, I will be available to meet residents with concerns.

Please note the following information about my outdoor surgeries:-

Friday 5th November from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Wilton Street Community Garden, Wilton Street.

Friday 19th November from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Cresswell Street Playpark, Cresswell Street.

Please wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain 2 metres distance. 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:-

Wednesday 3rd November from 7 - 8pm

Wednesday 17th November from 7 - 8pm

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Thankyou.

M8 Woodside Viaduct Repairs

There are emergency works taking place at the M8 Woodside Viaduct. Access is being maintained during the works for pedestrians and cyclists, using the underpass at New City Road.

View of underpass with new lights installed for the works.

View of the works underneath Woodside Viaduct

The compound for construction vehicles has been created on an open space at Braid Square and it has been surrounded by a white wooden fence.

Entrance to the compound for construction vehicles.

It is anticipated that the emergency works will taken many months to complete. If you have any comments or concerns about this work on the M8, please let me know.

Investment in tenements is needed

There are ongoing concerns about the repairs and maintenance of tenements. The flats located at 6-8 Melrose Street in Woodlands are awaiting refurbishment and have been boarded up for several years.

View of 6-8 Melrose Street

The need to invest in tenements is vital to improving housing standards including the energy efficiency and home safety of the housing stock. 

Community consultation by Visibility Scotland

Today, I met with Laura Walker, CEO of Visibility Scotland to discuss plans for the future of the building on Queens Crescent, in Woodlands.

Laura Walker, CEO at Visibility Scotland

Visibility Scotland are seeking the views on how best to use the four storey building. There are opportunities to improve accessibility and develop training facilities, meeting rooms, a cafe and kitchen.

There are three options; a survey for local residents in the Woodlands and Woodside area, a survey for our service users (people living with a visual impairment in Glasgow and beyond) and a survey for professional stakeholders.

Further information is available at: https://visibilityscotland.org.uk

Support for the River Kelvin

Today, I visited the Kibble Palace and enjoyed an exhibition celebrating the work of groups involved in nature conservation and climate action. There was a display featuring the activities of the Friends of the River Kelvin. The regular clean ups to reduce littering in the river are supporting local nature conservation.

Display of information to protect the River Kelvin

I enjoy the opportunity to spend time on the Kelvin Walkway. The walking route along the River Kelvin provides good views of the local heritage and wildlife.

View of the River Kelvin

View of the Heron

Ongoing investment is needed to maintain the Kelvin Walkway as this is a popular route for residents and visitors to get around the west end. The heavy downpours and increased rainfall are also putting pressure on the riverbank and network of pathways,

Housing Collapse at Oakfield Avenue

On Sunday 19th September, a wall of a tenement collapsed in Oakfield Avenue, Hillhead. After being contacted by residents, I visited the street to view the extent of the damage to the property.

view of the wall collapse

Due to health and safety concerns, steel sheeting was erected to close off the area and to create an exclusion zone. Further information on proposals to stabilise and repair the building are awaited.

Glasgow Friday for the Future March

Yesterday, I joined the Glasgow march organised by the Friday for the Future Scotland (FFS) in support of school children and young people around the world taking part in a global protest demanding greater action on climate change. Protesters walked from Kelvingrove Park to George Square carrying various banners.

We need to change not the climate

We love planet earth

Save the Earth

Show more love!

Up root the system!

Fridays for the Future Scotland are a group of young people who are involved in the international youth movement, Fridays for Future founded by Greta Thunberg in 2018. 

Outdoor Surgeries for October 2021

Update on my surgeries for Hillhead Ward

During October, I will be available to meet residents with concerns in the outdoors in line with Covid-19 guidance. 

Please note the following information:-

Friday 1st October from from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Wilton Street Community Garden, Wilton Street.

Wednesday 6th October from 7 - 8pm, at seating in Woodlands Community Garden, West Princes Street, G4 9BY

Wednesday 20th October from 7 - 8pm, at seating next to Lord Kelvin Statue, opposite the toilets, on Kelvin Way.

Please wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain 2 metres distance.

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

Sunflowers at Woodlands Community Garden

The sunflowers were stunning on my visit to the Woodlands Community Garden. It is a very enjoyable outdoor space to meeting people for a chat amongst the flowers, vegetables and trees.

Sunflowers staked in the garden.

Thanks to all the gardeners who have supported the garden to thrive and grow such beautiful flowers. It provides a vital boost to the local community's health and wellbeing.

Construction of the North Kelvinside Primary School

During my walkabout on Queen Margaret Drive, I noticed the progress on the construction work on the new primary school.

View of the new school building

From this month, the new school's Primary 1 Class are temporarily located at St. Charles Primary until the building is opened.

Cobbled Lane at South Woodside Road

This month, there have been discussions involving Scottish Water to resolve the problem of surface water in the cobbled lane. This is a busy route for cyclists, commuters, and dog walkers getting around the West End.   

View of the entrance to the cobbled lane at Kelvinbridge.

It is proposed that an additional connection to the sewer on North Woodside Road will be completed. This should prevent the ongoing issues in the lane.

Outdoor Surgeries planned for September 2021

Update on my surgeries for Hillhead Ward

During September, I will be available to meet residents with concerns in the outdoors in line with Covid-19 guidance. 

Please note the following information:-

Wednesday 1st September from 7 - 8pm, at seating in Woodlands Community Garden, West Princes Street, G4 9BY

Friday 3rd September from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Wilton Street Community Garden, Wilton Street.

Wednesday 15th September from 7 - 8pm, at seating next to Lord Kelvin Statue, opposite the toilets, on Kelvin Way.

Friday 17th September from 2 - 3pm, at seating in Cresswell Street Playpark, Cresswell Street, Hillhead.

Please wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain 2 metres distance.

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

Reopening of Glasgow Club North Woodside

The re-opening of the Glasgow Club North Woodside is a boost for residents. I am very grateful that the oldest public swimming baths in Glasgow has opened its doors for swimming, and workout classes in the fitness studio and gym.

View of the entrance to Glasgow Club North Woodside

All activities must be booked in advance via the Glasgow Club app or online booking page for Glasgow Life. 

New wildflower meadow at Kelvingrove Art Gallery

This week, I found the new wildflower meadow in full bloom at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This has been supported by RSPB Scotland and Conservation Volunteers to encourage small mammals, birds, pollinators, invertebrates and a wide range of plant species. 

View of the wildflowers

An extension of the coverage of wildflower meadows is part of activities in the city’s local Biodiversity Action Plan.  

Official opening of Claypits Nature Reserve

Today, there was an opening event held at the Claypits Local Nature Reserve, on the Forth and Clyde Canal. I attended to join in the celebrations and heard from various people involved from local groups e.g. Butterfly Conservation, Froglife, Youth Canal Forum, and Queens Cross Housing Association.

View of new path from the canal towpath to / from Garscube Road at Woodside Health Centre

There is a map showing the layout of the nature reserve.

View of the nature reserve with surface water drainage and the path to Hamiltonhill

I have been a long-term supporter of this greenspace having participated in the consultation workshops or charrettes discussing plans for the area during 2014 and 2015. 

The nature reserve is providing much needed accessible open space connecting Woodside and Hamiltonhill. It is helping canal regeneration for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

Further progress with segregated cycle lane on Garscube Road

The segregated cycle lane on Garscube Road has been installed between St. Georges Road and Hinshaw Street in recent weeks. 

Junction of Hinshaw Street and Garscube Road

There is a significant improvement in safety for cyclists travelling to and from the Woodside Health and Social Care Centre. I hope that there will be more people will be encouraged to take up cycling as a result of the cycling infrastructure investment in this area.

Flowers blooming in North Kelvinside

During July, I have been enjoying regular walks within the North Kelvin area. The stairway between Melrose Gardens and Kelvinside Gardens East is a viewpoint with beautiful flowers established by the Dear Green Flower Farm.

View of flowers at the stairway

I am aware of the dedication and hard work of volunteers and supporters involved in the Dear Green Flower Farm. Their work is helping to create habitats for pollinators and encourages development of gardening skills to promote nature conservation.

Support for Spaces for People

Today, the public consultation in to the future of the Spaces for People project is closing. I am supporting the continuation of a traffic-free Kelvin Way.

Kelvin Way prioritised for walking and cycling

Also, within Byres Road, there are spaces for people created to support local businesses.

At Tesco

At Old Salty's

At Little Italy

Hopefully, these spaces can be made permanent until the public realm works by the City Deal.