Future of George Square to be shaped by public through council survey

The future of George Square is to be shaped by the public during a four-week consultation.

Glasgow’s main civic space, and the surrounding streets, will be redeveloped under the council’s £115m Avenues project.

A four-week public engagement exercise, which begins on Friday, is asking participants a series of questions on what they want to see in the square.

The questionnaire will be available online from 10am.

People will be asked whether private vehicles should be banned, if a water feature should be included and for their thoughts on monuments and statues, including the possibility of repositioning some.

The consultation will look at five civic spaces around the world — Bryant Square, New York; Union Square; San Francisco; London’s Leicester and Trafalgar Squares and Old Market Square, Nottingham — and asked which elements would work in Glasgow.

It follows a ‘public conversation’ on the Square in 2019 — with council bosses saying they now want to know how the space should look.

Council leader Susan Aitken encouraged the public to have their say. STV News

Council leader Susan Aitken said: “George Square should be Glasgow’s greatest civic space — and, through this consultation, we all have the opportunity to make sure the square and its surrounding avenues meet our aspirations for the future.

“While the conversation about George Square back in 2019 told us what the people of the city felt about the space, and their ambitions for it, this consultation is different – this time we are asking for views specifically on how people want the Square to look, in terms of its design and what is in it.”

A £2.2m design contract was awarded to John McAslan + Partners in April last year.

The architectural practice previously secured a contract to re-design the Square in 2013, but the project was cancelled by then council leader Gordon Matheson in a surprise U-turn, despite around £100,000 being spent on the scheme.

The new project is part of the Avenues programme, a £115m scheme funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which has already involved an active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists on Sauchiehall Street.

As well as George Square, the consultation will focus on the revamp of St Vincent Street, Dundas Street, Dundas Lane, John Street, St Vincent Place, Miller Street and Hanover Street.

It will ask how people use the square, whether there is enough seating, if a water feature should be included and about the amount of greenspaces.

The survey also asks people what activities should be offered in the space, whether private vehicles should be allowed and what their thoughts are on the connection between the Square and Queen Street station.

On the surrounding streets, participants will be asked about the most important outcomes, which could include increased cycling and pedestrian space, reduced street clutter and more greenspace.

Construction work is expected to start in 2024. Phase one will include the Square, Dundas Street, Dundas Lane and John Street and is set to be completed in 2026.

The second phase will focus on St Vincent Street, St Vincent Place, Hanover Street, Miller Street and George Street and is due to be finished in 2028.

The Avenues initiative is aimed at improving pedestrian connectivity and priority throughout the city and includes tree planting, rain gardens, cycleways and upgraded public transport.

It is funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a £1bn investment from the UK and Scottish Governments.