Work to revamp key streets in Glasgow including the removal of trees on Sauchiehall Street is starting this week.
A project to make Duke Street and John Knox Street on the fringe of the city centre more attractive, improve drainage and provide cycle paths has begun.
And the final part of a scheme to transform Sauchiehall Street is getting underway too, focused on the section between Renfield Street and West Nile Street.
They are being progressed under the Avenues and Avenues Plus programmes, a series of major public realm works.
The remaining work on Sauchiehall Precinct will see trees, which the council says have stunted growth and a limited lifespan, removed. It added they would have needed to be removed for safety reasons in coming years.
New trees will be planted with bigger rootboxes, which it is hoped will allow them to “flourish”. The project also includes new paving, street furniture and lighting and is expected to be completed by April.
The revamp of Duke Street is starting this month. Image from Glasgow City Council
The revamp of Duke Street and John Knox Street is planned to improve the look and feel of an area where hundreds of new homes are being built. It is also hoped the scheme will make it easier to travel to and from this “vital” entrance point to the city centre.
To reduce pollution and improve drainage, 30 trees will be planted. Roads will be resurfaced, pavements widened and resurfaced and new kerbing and cycle paths installed.
Rain gardens will be created to slow down and treat highway runoff with the aim of removing pollutants prior to discharge to the Molendinar Burn culvert, which flows into the River Clyde. The gardens are expected to help reduce flood risk and improve water quality.
Work will focus on the High Street to Bellgrove Street section of Duke Street and the Castle Street to Duke Street part of John Knox Street. An almost £8m contract was handed to Rainton Construction Ltd last year.
The scheme is part of the £21m Avenues Plus programme, funded by the Scottish Government via charity Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, which builds on ongoing work being carried out through the £115m Avenues programme.
The revamp of John Knox Street is starting this month. Image from Glasgow City Council
Another Avenues Plus project at South Portland Street will go on site later this month, with work at Cowcaddens Road and Dobbies Loan starting in February. All three projects are expected to be finished between late winter and spring 2026.
The Avenues is backed by the Glasgow City Region City Deal — an over £1bn infrastructure programme funded by both the Scottish and UK governments.
Cllr Angus Millar, convener for climate, transport and city centre recovery, said: “The public realm improvement work now begun at Duke Street and John Knox Street will improve the appearance of what is a key entrance point to the city centre.
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“Equality importantly, the new features that will be delivered by the project will make it easier for everyone to travel to, from and through the area, reduce the risk of local flooding and improve the local environment.”
Fiona Hyslop MSP, cabinet secretary for transport, added: “This phase will assist in revitalising Glasgow city centre, making the area safer, more attractive and accessible for everyone living in and travelling it.
“The Scottish Government’s continued investment in these projects enable people to leave their cars at home and embrace a more active lifestyle for our health, wellbeing and climate.”
Karen McGregor, Scotland director at Sustrans, said: “Every time we choose to walk, wheel or cycle for a short trip, it’s a choice which makes a difference – and these small decisions all add up to something big for our health, our wellbeing, and the money we save.
But we know from talking to communities across the city that many people don’t feel confident enough to make these choices. This isn’t fair.
“And this is why it’s so important to invest in safer and more inclusive connections which support more Glaswegians in getting around the way they want to.”
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