Glasgow paves the way for Sauchiehall Street entertainment district
December 4 2017
Sauchiehall Street Avenue will see a ‘multifunctional service verge and two-lane cyclepath laid on the northern edge of the street with pavements widened on both sides to facilitate licensed tables for dining and drinking in an effort to further establish the area as an entertainment district.
This work will be complemented by the planting of 28 trees together with the installation of new street furniture such as bus shelters, cycle stands, seating and lighting which will also extend south along Elmbank, Holland, Pitt and Douglas Street’s.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, commented: “The section of Sauchiehall Street which is the focus of the investment programme is one of the main destinations in Glasgow’s night-time economy, and with the right level of care it will be a genuinely distinctive asset to the city. It has its challenges - pavements are ragged, waste bins proliferate, there’s too much street clutter and it has to cope with being a primay gateway for traffic into the city centre.”
Work is expected to complete on the project by summer 2019.
22 Comments
#1 Posted by Fush And Chups on 4 Dec 2017 at 12:06 PM
Finally! It's a great street in real need of some TLC. Very pleased to see this going ahead at last.
#2 Posted by Walt Disney on 4 Dec 2017 at 12:17 PM
It has become a nasty dishevelled street. Full of students, junkies, chweing gum and Tkmax shoppers in the daytime and drunken, kebab eating, violent psychopaths at night. Its a main road connecting the North West to the city centre. Its a place where people wipe their feet.
It would be lovely if it could be reinvented but it will take a lot more than dropped kerbs and street furniture. It needs to become a destination in itself in the same way that Candelriggs did.......or maybe transport the whole street to a place that has a better climate and population not obsessed with alcohol, fags and kickin' yer heid in.
It would be lovely if it could be reinvented but it will take a lot more than dropped kerbs and street furniture. It needs to become a destination in itself in the same way that Candelriggs did.......or maybe transport the whole street to a place that has a better climate and population not obsessed with alcohol, fags and kickin' yer heid in.
#3 Posted by Fush And Chups on 4 Dec 2017 at 14:09 PM
Surely this is a way for the street to become a "destination in itself"?
Better paving, trees and street furniture help in making a place that is more pleasant to spend time in and around.
Change begets change.
Better paving, trees and street furniture help in making a place that is more pleasant to spend time in and around.
Change begets change.
#4 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 4 Dec 2017 at 14:56 PM
#2
What Sauchiehall Street needs is more people like you, Walt Disney. You sound like a tolerant bundle of fun.
What Sauchiehall Street needs is more people like you, Walt Disney. You sound like a tolerant bundle of fun.
#5 Posted by MV on 4 Dec 2017 at 15:52 PM
Give it time. In a couple of years, all of the Sauchiehall Street junkies will be killed off by cyclists, as they wander across the bike lane to kick peoples heids in.
That being said, new paving surfaces tend not to attract people as a "destination".
That being said, new paving surfaces tend not to attract people as a "destination".
#6 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 4 Dec 2017 at 16:18 PM
I hope the plant trees that attract wildlife like cherry blossom or rowan. Not trees for the sake of trees.
I'm delighted to see the cycle lanes. They need to start connecting the cycling infrastructure already created.
I'm delighted to see the cycle lanes. They need to start connecting the cycling infrastructure already created.
#7 Posted by john hughes on 4 Dec 2017 at 16:58 PM
To MV .I am sure if you ride by on yer Tomahawk, you wont get get caught and get yir head kicked in, but also keep yir eyes open, as i'm sure you had them closed whilst writing this awful comment.
If you dont have a Tomahawk, yir Chopper will be fine
If you dont have a Tomahawk, yir Chopper will be fine
#8 Posted by Walt Disney on 4 Dec 2017 at 17:04 PM
Jimbob, I'm old enough to have seen the previous 2 incarnations of Sauchiehall Street. Variations on monobloc that were dug up within a week and replaced by a patchwork of black top, apathy and laziness.
#9 Posted by Billy on 4 Dec 2017 at 20:23 PM
Something has to be done. Widening the pavements more trees, planters and awnings to protect pedestrians and customers from the weather would be nice. But if the council are serious about keeping businesses in the city centre competitive, they have to stop expanding the shopping centres in the housing schemes and offer cheaper parking. No point in making the area atttractive if businesses find it more beneficial to trade in The Fort or Silverburn.
#10 Posted by alibi on 4 Dec 2017 at 20:34 PM
nobody wants to sit on that bench. don't kid yourselves.
#11 Posted by boaby wan on 4 Dec 2017 at 22:44 PM
One step closer to delivering the "parklets" - outside seating in the rain, sure to bring in the crowds...
#12 Posted by MV on 5 Dec 2017 at 09:02 AM
John Hughes. What does all of that even mean? I'm thinking you have been spending too much time on Sauchiehall Street.
Remember and look both ways when you are crossing the road...
Remember and look both ways when you are crossing the road...
#13 Posted by Parklets on 5 Dec 2017 at 09:30 AM
Where are all the amazing Parklets?!
#14 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 5 Dec 2017 at 10:39 AM
Cheaper parking is not the answer to get people into the city centre.
There needs to be better public transport and a reduction in business rates. Less traffic in Glasgow would make the city more attractive to visit, not more attracted by better and cheaper parking.
There needs to be better public transport and a reduction in business rates. Less traffic in Glasgow would make the city more attractive to visit, not more attracted by better and cheaper parking.
#15 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 5 Dec 2017 at 11:52 AM
Better public transport is certainly needed but only helps those who live within the city, and many come from beyond to socialise on Sauchiehall Street, so parking provision can't just be swept under the widened pavements.
Looking at some of the comments...jeez. An awful lot of architects don't seem to like people very much, do they? Sauchiehall St is a place chock full of bars, restaurants, gig venues, nightclubs and arts venues, and yet you sneer at people getting drunk? Get out much, do you? Perhaps only partaking of the merest snifter of a 2009 Chateau Margaux to wash down a honey lavender roasted duck before embarking on a spirited debate on the hard problem of consciousness. Fun night, right there.
One positive suggestion that would improve the streetscape immeasurably; allow the CCA to take over the remaining fags, bags, mags and vape shops in Thomson's Grecian Chambers.
Looking at some of the comments...jeez. An awful lot of architects don't seem to like people very much, do they? Sauchiehall St is a place chock full of bars, restaurants, gig venues, nightclubs and arts venues, and yet you sneer at people getting drunk? Get out much, do you? Perhaps only partaking of the merest snifter of a 2009 Chateau Margaux to wash down a honey lavender roasted duck before embarking on a spirited debate on the hard problem of consciousness. Fun night, right there.
One positive suggestion that would improve the streetscape immeasurably; allow the CCA to take over the remaining fags, bags, mags and vape shops in Thomson's Grecian Chambers.
#16 Posted by Pleasantfield on 5 Dec 2017 at 15:59 PM
Like your last idea for the CCA , Jimbob.
#17 Posted by Silent Observer on 5 Dec 2017 at 16:31 PM
#15 - Ah, those buckie triangle's finest ladies and gentlement enjoying the weekend nighlife as if there's no tomorrow...
Let them park anywhere for a penny, that'd help.
Let them park anywhere for a penny, that'd help.
#18 Posted by modernish on 5 Dec 2017 at 16:55 PM
Why not...give it a whirl...it's only money after all!!
But one request...before the work begins can you write to all utility providers and tell them this is there once in 10 years opportunity to upgrade their infrastructure. They can fill their boots before the work begins but after that it's full re-instatement to the same spec and a significant (but not punitive) cash payment to help pay for the replanting schedule.
But one request...before the work begins can you write to all utility providers and tell them this is there once in 10 years opportunity to upgrade their infrastructure. They can fill their boots before the work begins but after that it's full re-instatement to the same spec and a significant (but not punitive) cash payment to help pay for the replanting schedule.
#19 Posted by Alex Reedijk on 6 Dec 2017 at 21:02 PM
Or... whilst acknowledging the challenges, nevertheless we could celebrate this welcome and much needed public realm improvement initiative knowing that given the merest glimpse of sun, most of us will gratefully celebrate by being outdoors as much as humanly possible. Enjoy!
#20 Posted by Sven on 7 Dec 2017 at 11:44 AM
Suachiehall Street desperately needs attention. It was a better class of street until the 1990s. The street is full of dreadful people and downright horrid at night. Given the number of bars and eating places and the nearby theatre their is a chance to turn this around.
The proposal in principle works though there are silly ideas (who is going to sit on a bench right next to moving traffic), attractive ornamental trees (Palm trees such as Trachycarpus are hardy and evergreen and will add a nice touch - they always seem to add half dead transplanted trees that never seem to do well). I do not see street lighting, rubbish bins or other necessary items in this proposal, possibly as it will detract from the artists vision but one that will be in the final product, I hope.
Personally I would not make the setts grid like but add curves to soften the landscape and slow people down. George Street in Edinburgh often has patio areas in summer and winter for alfresco dining - adding places to allow this would really bring the street to life
The proposal in principle works though there are silly ideas (who is going to sit on a bench right next to moving traffic), attractive ornamental trees (Palm trees such as Trachycarpus are hardy and evergreen and will add a nice touch - they always seem to add half dead transplanted trees that never seem to do well). I do not see street lighting, rubbish bins or other necessary items in this proposal, possibly as it will detract from the artists vision but one that will be in the final product, I hope.
Personally I would not make the setts grid like but add curves to soften the landscape and slow people down. George Street in Edinburgh often has patio areas in summer and winter for alfresco dining - adding places to allow this would really bring the street to life
#21 Posted by Egbert on 7 Dec 2017 at 13:04 PM
#9 Part of the problem is that the likes of Silverburn lie outwith Glasgow City Council's jurisdiction so they have no control whatsoever over their development. I agree that they are doing huge damage to the city centre - as well as the peripheral town centres in and around the conurbation - it's one of the many problems arising from Glasgow being serious under-bounded as a city, and the lack of any greater urban government (Strathclyde anyone?) to co-ordinate planning and transport across the various competing authorities.
#22 Posted by Bampot Humperdink on 8 Dec 2017 at 08:03 AM
If the area is designed to encourage people to it . There needs to be more effort to air people to get out of it at during and after closing time. Better bus service and policed taxi ranks are a must!
To reduce the Nes element perhaps an over 25 policy is adopted by certain establishments and the others pay for better Stewarding.
The atmosphere experienced during the olympics and some European Cup nights were fantastic and a credit to the City and the People. I have visited plenty of major cities around the world and they all have some issues with Drunk youths but Glasgow seems to have more! The blatant use of CCTV inside and outside bars can have a positive effect and also a better police presence if it is a square type environment created!
To reduce the Nes element perhaps an over 25 policy is adopted by certain establishments and the others pay for better Stewarding.
The atmosphere experienced during the olympics and some European Cup nights were fantastic and a credit to the City and the People. I have visited plenty of major cities around the world and they all have some issues with Drunk youths but Glasgow seems to have more! The blatant use of CCTV inside and outside bars can have a positive effect and also a better police presence if it is a square type environment created!
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