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.

Rain gardens at University of Glasgow

There are rain gardens within the new campus development by the University of Glasgow. It is recognised that these rain gardens are able to provide localised storm water and flood management. Water quality can be enhanced through the provision of the rain gardens.

View of the rain gardens at the University of Glasgow

Through their design features, they provide biodiversity gain by preserving vegetation and native planting which attracts birdlife, butterflies and insects. The rain gardens are becoming established within public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Essential works at the Charing Cross Junction

Until December 2024, there is essential maintenance and upgrade works at the Charing Cross Junction. A series of diversions for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians are in place. Pedestrians and cyclists are directed to make use of the footbridge.

View of Charing Cross Junction with heras fencing and barriers around site works.

View of the access to the footway closed.

There is local access retained for businesses and households within St. Georges Road and Charing Cross Mansions although some sections of the roadway are closed.

Road closure at a section of St Georges Road

Ongoing support is needed for the businesses operating within St. Georges Road during these works.

Street art supported at Charing Cross

There is street art is established that the footbridge over Charing Cross and next to a bus stop. 

This location is dominated by motorway traffic and constant queues of vehicles. Artwork is enhancing this area for people walking to/from the city centre and west end. 

Flower displays across the Park Area

Today, on a walkabout of the Park area, I was able to enjoy the many flower displays which enhance the streetscape.

View of flower boxes.

View of flowers in pots.

View of decorative plant pots.

View of hanging flower pots

The Park area has beautiful architecture which is supported with very attractive flowers and gardening activity which helps pollinators.

Support for Let It Bloom June

This month, many people have left space in their garden for nature to continue to bloom. This provides an opportunity to create a wildflower landscape and support grassland wildlife.

View of road verge at St. Georges Cross/M8

 

With open spaces including road verges left undisturbed for longer, wildflowers and grasses can help bees, butterflies and beetles.

Local residential streets unsuitable for HGVs

There are ongoing concerns about HGVs using Great George Street, Hillhead Street and Gibson Street as they are unsuitable. New signage has been installed to prevent HGVs travelling through these streets.

Various road safety issues have been raised by residents as HGVs have difficulty manoeuvring around corners and one way systems within the Hillhead area.

Repairs to stone balustrade after storm damage

Thankfully, the Grade A listed stone balustrade at the top of Kelvingrove Park has been repaired after storm damage.

View of the stone balustrade

This work supported by council officials is very much appreciated as the stone balustrade is a significant feature within the listed landscape of Kelvingrove Park and the Park Conservation Area.