Spring flowers at the University of Glasgow

It is relaxing to walk through the campus of the University of Glasgow due to the variety of plants and trees to admire. At the moment, there are lots of spring flowers and tree blossoms.

Planters at University Place

View of the Gilbert Scott Building

Tulips at the main flagpole.

Visitors and residents are able to enjoy various walks through the campus. The grounds are planted to support biodiversity gain including greenspace with wildflower meadows.

Rubbish at 10 Great George Street

During a visit to Bank Street, today, I noticed that there are continuing problems with rubbish and wood surrounding the neglected townhouse at 10 Great George Street.

Wood dumped within the grounds of 10 Great George Street.

Wood dumped within the grounds of 10 Great George Street.

Mattresses and cardboard dumped within the grounds of 10 Great George Street.

View of 10 Great George Street.

It would appear that the current owners are leaving this historic building to fall down. This is a building at risk of demolition or fire. 

Currently, it seems that there is a lack of legislation to ensure the owners repair this significant landmark. Therefore, it is vital that the use of compulsory sales orders is available for Councils in such circumstances. These orders can help to preserve empty heritage buildings.  The legislation for compulsory sales orders has to be agreed by the Scottish Parliament as a priority.

Support for Record Store Day 2024

Today, I celebrated Record Store Day by giving my support to several record shops. I like to support second hand music and so, headed to the Oxfam Music Shop. 

Oxfam Music Shop on Byres Road

As it was a sunny day, I walked through the streets of the Hillhead ward to Mixed Up Records which is a music shop in Otago Lane.

I hope that Glasgow's music shops were able to benefit from the publicity provided by Record Store Day.

Tree Blossom at Wilton Street Garden

Today, I met up with volunteers who organised a Spring community clean up at Wilton Street Garden, a beautiful greenspace in the North Kelvin area.

View of the garden with black bags

During the clean up, we spotted several goldfinches within the tree blossoms. The garden is a wildlife haven. It is very enjoyable to spent time outdoors and to be able to get close to nature. 

View of the main entrance to the garden

As well as bird watching, Wilton Street Garden is well used by residents for walking dogs, family picnics, and relaxing with a good book. This greenspace is owned by the council and it is open to the public.

Wildlife Corridor on Striven Gardens

There is a woodland area at Striven Gardens in North Kelvin. Residents are supporting maintenance activities to encourage nature including pollinator friendly planting. 

View of the woodland

View of Striven Gardens

View from Striven Gardens

This area is developing an important wildlife corridor next to the Kelvin Walkway thanks to the dedication of local residents.

Closure of Phoenix Road

Since 2021, there have been roadworks being completed on the M8 Junctions 16 to 17. This is required to maintain the Woodside Viaduct Structure. 

Closure of Phoenix Road

The roadworks are continuing with the closure of Phoenix Road to traffic. There is a diversion route in place until further notice.

New fencing installed at Kelvin Walkway

The extensive damage to the fencing along the riverbank near the historic Old Mill has been repaired. This was completed in the first week of March.

 New fencing has been installed along the area of damaged riverbank.

In addition, the path under the bridge at Queen Margaret Drive where a section of pathway was closed off has been opened. Many thanks to the council staff who have supported a programme of repairs and maintenance work at the Kelvin Walkway.

Active travel promoted at Raeberry Street

There are contract works being completed on Raeberry Street to create a "quietway". This aims to break down the barriers to active travel by providing a low traffic route with increased visibility for people who are less comfortable on busy routes. 

View of the road changes in Raeberry Street

The quietway offers better crossing facilities, and larger footway areas. This is supporting the provision of cycle and pedestrian friendly streets to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier.

There is an improvement in the pavements along Raeberry Street which promotes safer walking routes for residents especially more vulnerable pedestrians including parents with young children and disabled people.

There is a focus on creating a streetscape that is attractive for visitors and people living in the area.

Spring flowers at Burnbank Gardens

This month, I have enjoyed the spring flowers whilst walking within Burnbank Gardens. There are a lot of daffodils and crocus planted within the greenspace.

Daffodils in street planters, Burnbank Terrace

Crocus within Burnbank Gardens

This open space within Burnbank Gardens is a special place for residents to walk their dog and stop to relax under its trees. The practical support from residents is continuing to ensure the area is kept clean and tidy.

Yellow lines at Maryhill Fire Station

Thankfully, there have been yellow zig zags and keep clear road markings installed outside the entrance to Maryhill Fire Station.

These road markings have been requested as they are vital to prevent parked cars obstructing access to and from the Fire Station.

Tenement repairs in Woodlands

This week, I noticed that the refurbishment works at 192 West Princes Street have been completed. The scaffolding has been removed after extensive repairs and maintenance of this important tenement on a main thoroughfare in the neighbourhood.

View of the refurbishment at 192 West Princes Street

This is a major boost to the regeneration within the Woodlands Conservation Area. There are many pre-1919 tenements in need of repairs and maintenance across the area. Further capital funding is required to provide resources to address the level of need.

Damage by Storm Jocelyn on Kelvin Walkway

Yesterday on a walkabout along the Kelvin Walkway, I noticed the effects of recent storms. It seems that Storm Jocelyn has resulted in extensive damage of the fencing and riverbank near the historic Old Mill. 

Temporary heras fencing has been installed along the area of damaged riverbank.

In addition, there are tree branches damaged by the strong winds on the path under the bridge at Queen Margaret Drive. There is a section of pathway closed off on a temporary basis. Further assessment of the damage and a programme of repair work will have to be undertaken.

Call for Divestment from Arms and Fossil Fuels

On 24th January, I gave my support to student calls for Divestment from Arms Companies by University of Glasgow. I attended a rally in support of an occupation at 11 University Gardens by students from Glasgow Against Arms and Fossil Fuels (GAAF).

 Rally to support the occupation at 11 University Gardens.

This occupation is calling for the University of Glasgow to fully divest from arms and fossil fuels. Also, it seeks the implementation of an accessible, mandatory and empowering climate course. Finally, there is a demand for an ethical careers policy which would ban oil, gas, coal, mining and arms companies from recruiting at the University of Glasgow.

  Notice of GAAF occupation at 11 University Gardens.

Members and supporters of GAAF gathered at main buildings of the University

I will continue to give support for the occupation and its calls for full divest from arms and fossil fuels by the senior management of the University of Glasgow.