River 'ribbon' to stitch both halves of Glasgow together
January 30 2025
The project team behind plans to create a double-barrelled riverfront park in Glasgow have shared their latest thinking on the development of both banks of the River Clyde at Custom House Quay and Carlton Place.
A second consultation shows the historic stretch of the River Clyde reimagined as a singular open space, through the phased delivery of new quay walls, public space and greenery. Works will centre on the removal of landscape elements along Clyde Street dating from the 1970s; including steps, an amphitheatre and a podium structure to be replaced by a gathering, civic and creative space for events.
The first of these spaces would take the form of a terraced performance space at the foot of Dixon Street, leading directly to a more tranquil viewpoint opposite St Andrew's Cathedral and ultimately a space specifically designed for creatives. These could be anchored by separate pavilions, the design of which would be subject to future planning applications.
A zig-zagging stone 'ribbon' of walkways would connect these spaces, mirrored on the south bank, including opportunities for play, games and exercise all anchored by the South Portland Street suspension bridge. A complementary planting strategy is also proposed, including 80 new trees, shrubs and flowers.
In a consultation statement, the project team wrote: "This project provides a unique opportunity to transform the perception of the river from a barrier into an open space...
"A masterplan approach will put forward an overall design for the north and south banks. A single full planning application will be submitted for the proposals but there is likely to be a phased approach to construction and delivery, with works to the north bank, Custom House Quay, coming first."
The design team includes Hawkins/Brown, Civic Engineers, New Practice, HarrisonStevens, Arch Henderson and Urban Movement with a planning application expected in March.
A lighting scheme by KSLD/EFLA will bring life to the river at night
A new gathering space at Custom House Quay will take centrestage
|
12 Comments
Windmillcroft Quay doesn't go ahead, mainly due to unexpected costs and the fact that it fronts a private development - and suddenly it's "how many times have we heard this before?"
The budget is there, the designs are well underway and its a key city centre site. I'm on Team Optimism.
Hopefully it helps bring some investment into the at risk buildings along Carlton Pl. on the south side of the Clyde as well.
It would be great if they could have included the gloomy stretch along Clyde Pl./Broomielaw up to the King George V bridge on both sides but I suppose we can't have it all! This is a great start.
The levels don't seem as if they can work without significant alteration to much of the area, and this is not shown. For example at the Glasgow Bridge end the ground appears raised (and then slams into the arch of the bridge). There is a walkway and cycleway currently under this area which disappears, but the awkward junction is not well resolved and it would force cyclists and pedestrians over a busy road, worsening an existing condition.
It's hard to tell but it does seem like the level is more or less maintained along a renewed quayside wall - which means presumably people will have to crawl to pass under the suspension bridge.
Similarly the qual walls are modified to make only the most perfunctory adjustments to the geometry of the riverside. This high cost with very little net gain - and it's riddiculous way to support that boomerang walkway nearer the east side of this proposal. Why not cantilever that, or support with a cheaper (and more attractive) series of columns?
Making all this so much higher off the river isn't a net gain. Especially the loss of gently sloping terrain facing south. Looking at the other riverbank the zig sag line looks fairly alluring, but makes you wonder whether the it would be better for the northern bank to have a closer connection to the water - perhaps even through barges.
There are excellent examples in Europe that could be looked at.
I'm all for optimism, but hope doesn't get around the parameters of reality. If the design team were to properly engage with this, then A), this would be far more feasible and likely to go ahead and B), it would be more attractive and work much, much better.
The Glasgow herald reported Glasgow was the only city in Europe at the time that hasn't explicited its water front... nothing has changed...
Never going to happen