Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street £5.7m 'revitalising' makeover set to begin

A £5.7m makeover of Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street is set to begin in September.

The multi-million contract project, which will connect to Rose Street and stretch to West Nile Street, with the connecting Cambridge Street Avenue stretching to Cowcaddens Road, will begin on September 27.

Officially titled the Sauchiehall Precinct & Cambridge Street Avenue project, money for the redevelopment is coming from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments.

It is the second Avenues project on Sauchiehall Street, after the pilot scheme focused on the area between Charing Cross and Rose Street previously.

Rain gardens, 40 street trees, new kerbing and lighting and road, pavement and footway reconstruction are all expected to be included in the development, which is hoped to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The project is expected to be completed towards the end of the summer of 2024.

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow city region cabinet, said: “The work soon to begin on the latest Avenue in the city centre will help to bring an improved environment on both Cambridge Street and the bottom of Sauchiehall Street.

“These streets will form part of the Avenue network across the city centre that will not only make the area more attractive for everyone in it but also make it easier for people to get around as they walk, wheel and cycle.”

Scottish government wellbeing economy secretary, Neil Gray, said: “I welcome progress on revitalising Glasgow’s shopping heartland, a key priority for our £500m Glasgow City Region City Deal funding for infrastructure.

“By making it easier and safer to walk or cycle, this Scottish Government-supported scheme can attract more visitors and residents back to the city centre.

“Increased footfall will boost local businesses in line with our ambitions to create a wellbeing economy which is green and growing.”

UK government minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “The transformational work beginning on Sauchiehall Precinct & Cambridge Street Avenue will create safe, sustainable and modern places for visitors and residents to shop and visit, helping to bring new businesses and investment to the area.

“The UK Government is investing £50m in Glasgow’s most iconic streets and civic spaces as part of our £524m support for the Glasgow City Region Deal.”