October 3 2019

Glasgow City Council has opened another consultation into the future of George Square one year on from a similar initiative inviting opinion on whether the public space should be pedestrianised.

With a soon to be completed Queen Street Station revamp focusing minds officials are keen to revisit the city’s premier public space to establish whether and how the urban focal point should change in response to future priorities.

Council leader Susan Aitken said: “George Square is part of the very fabric of Glasgow, an essential part of our civic life which has hosted so many of the most important days and events in the city’s history. We now need to think about the equally important role it can play in our future.

“We are opening up this conversation to find out about what Glaswegians think and feel about George Square and what we all want from it. It’s crucial that we don’t impose anything, so to get as full a picture as possible I’m encouraging everyone in the city to get involved with this important conversation.”

Repeated attempts have been made to improve the public realm around George Square, most famously with an abortive design contest won by John McAslan & Partners which ultimately descended into acrimony.

That episode ended in 2013 with the replacement of red tarmac with grey epoxy resin at a cost of £500k.

18 Comments

#1 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 3 Oct 2019 at 10:47 AM

The redevelopment of George Square cannot be carried out in isolation from other projects to improve the public realm within the city centre. The focus should be on how this project links with Queen Street Station, the Glasgow Avenues project, improvements in cycling infrastructure and the cities targets to help tackle climate change.

I do fear this will be another missed opportunity.

#2 Posted by Like a record baby, round round round round.... on 3 Oct 2019 at 11:33 AM

here we go again!

#3 Posted by Ross on 3 Oct 2019 at 12:17 PM

Something needs done with George Square. I'd personally be happy enough to see the east and west roads pedestrianised and some nice new paving/some more trees/benches etc. Nothing extreme required.

#4 Posted by Jezza Alexander on 3 Oct 2019 at 16:58 PM

Should take a lesson from Ghent where the centre is pedestrianised and cars would need to go out to the ring road to reach a different part of the city. Already seeing positive results.

#5 Posted by IndyNoo on 3 Oct 2019 at 21:19 PM

Oh no! Don't let those awful Glasgow Architects get their mucky hands on this beautiful square. Between them and the Council there is some rubbish being built in the once great city.

#6 Posted by Eric Brown on 3 Oct 2019 at 21:21 PM

Agree with previous comments - traffic shouldn't be allowed and therefore should be given over to pedestrians and cyclists

#7 Posted by Billy on 4 Oct 2019 at 00:52 AM

I think pedestrianising the square partially or wholly would be a huge improvement making the square less claustrophobic. Nice paving instead of horrible tarmac, some more trees, new benches with Charles Rennie design features and a water feature would be welcome additions.

#8 Posted by Charlie_ on 4 Oct 2019 at 08:40 AM

CRM inspired benches would be a fantastic touch!

#9 Posted by pooka on 4 Oct 2019 at 09:59 AM

I think the square is a huge waste of space - we should build some tenements on it?

#10 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 4 Oct 2019 at 11:12 AM

A Charles Rennie Mackintosh link in George Square would be wonderful. The statue of Mackintosh dumped on the corner of St Vincent Street and Elliot Street with no context was a decision that always confused me.

#11 Posted by Pleasantfield on 4 Oct 2019 at 12:31 PM

Be careful about pedestrianisation of the square. A revamped Queens St needs vehicular access whether.you like it or not. People get dropped off at stations for onward travel. The station has already'consumed' the frontal turning area. Try getting to the rear car park from the west. Not easy is it.

#12 Posted by Swampy on 5 Oct 2019 at 14:29 PM

Some great ideas here, but the overwhelming narrative is the reduction of car traffic. Has the worm finally turned against the tide after 50+ years of car being king? I hope so. Now how to get Gammons out of their cars....

#13 Posted by Jean Love on 7 Oct 2019 at 13:11 PM

Please replace trees which were uprooted by a previous administration and incorporate wild meadow corridors wherever possible.

#14 Posted by Charlie_ on 7 Oct 2019 at 13:25 PM

Honest to goodness, less 'conversation' more paving and trees! This isnt putting a man on mars, GCC. Pave the square TOMORROW - which will already be decades too late- then by all meams review the traffic arrangements.

#15 Posted by Ken Cairnduff on 7 Oct 2019 at 17:04 PM

Conversation with whom?
Can you supply a link to how we participate with the council please?

#16 Posted by UR on 7 Oct 2019 at 17:09 PM

Hotlinked above https://www.george-square.com/

#17 Posted by Steven Campbell on 9 Oct 2019 at 00:16 AM

It seems that economics are the driving force regards the redevelopment of George Square as Susan Aitken admit s driving force is to create an events space for both football and cycling in 2020 .However several events this year have prevented the public access to the Square as it has been used for fee paying events .
It appears this will increase closures and indeed it will cease to be an available public space throughout the year .
Also will there be a public consultation once the proposed plans are proposed ? This would make sense as how can the public agree to something that is unknown to them .

#18 Posted by David on 9 Oct 2019 at 15:15 PM

I really don't understand why some people see using the square for private events is bad thing. There have been plenty of great events, gigs, concerts etc in the last few years, and the rest of the time the square is free for everyone to use. These events bring more life to the surrounding area as they are a magnet for people.

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