Update on plans to redesign Glasgow streets

The £115 million ‘Avenues’ scheme will see Argyle Street, Holland Street, High Street, Hope Street and George Square transformed among others.

There will be less road space for cars, better lighting and rain gardens among other measures. 

Supplied (Image: Supplied)

Projects have faced hold-ups due to increased costs, shortage of materials and other problems fuelled by Brexit, Covid-19 and the Ukraine war. 

The council is presenting an update on the Avenues programme to councillors sitting on the neighbourhoods, housing and public realm city policy committee this week. 

The paper prepared for politicians added: “This investment will introduce a network of pedestrian and cycle priority routes across Glasgow city centre that will incorporate green/blue infrastructure, increased pedestrian and cycle space, and improved connectivity.”

It added: “The Avenues programme provides surface water management measures through street trees and SUD’s. Green infrastructure and reduced carriageway space for motorised vehicles will improve air quality and help contribute towards carbon net zero by 2030.”

The £115 million City Deal funding will be used to pay for most of the Avenues projects.

Another £23 million from Sustrans will fund Avenues the areas of  South Portland Street, Dobbie’s Loan,  Duke Street and John Knox Street and Cowcaddens Road.

Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

See below for a list of all the road areas to be transformed. 

Progress updates in streets set to be redesigned:

Argyle Street West – Design activity nearing completion 

Argyle Street East and Dixon Street/St Enoch Square –  Design activity nearing completion 

Cathedral Street – on hold until the outcomes of the Transport Strategy and City Centre Transformation Plan are approved. 

North Hanover Street – Design work ongoing. 

The Underline Phase 1 (

Cambridge Street) – Design activity nearing completion. 

The Underline Phase 2

(New City Road):  – on hold until M8 emergency works are complete.

Sauchiehall Precinct – Design activity nearing completion. 

Holland Street/Pitt Street -construction to commence early 2023.

Elmbank Street/Elmbank Crescent – Design work will start late 2023.

Stockwell/Glassford Street – Design work will start late 2023.

Broomielaw/Clyde Street –. Design work will start around the middle of next year.

High Street – Concept design to be developed early 2023. 

George Square – Engagement has been ongoing.

St Vincent Street/St Vincent Place and Cochrane Street – Internal discussions taking place.

West George Street and George Street – Concept design for Phase 1 to be submitted for approval in November.

John Street – Design work will start around the middle of next year.

Hanover/Miller Street – Design work will start around the middle of next year.

Dundas Street and Dundas Lane – Design work will start around the middle of next year.

International Financial Services District (IFSD) west – external consultant to be appointed with a procurement exercise to secure services to start late 2023.

Hope Street – external consultant to be appointed with a procurement exercise to secure services to start late 2023.

South Portland Street – Stakeholder engagement due to start this month. 

Dobbie’s Loan – Design work at early stages. 

Duke Street and John Knox Street – Design work at early stages.  Cowcaddens Road – Design work at early stages.