Glasgow has a history of demolishing and rebuilding, a cycle that repeated during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
It is rumoured that the Glasgow City Council, or the City of Glasgow District Council as it was known back then, may have demolished upwards of 38,000 to 40,000 tenement blocks. I’m uncertain if these numbers refer to entire tenement blocks or individual flats within them. The exact count remains elusive, but the consensus is that this approach was a disaster.
Instead of demolishing, they could have refurbished them, preserving their charm and the character of the areas involved. Unfortunately, the mass exodus to new areas, not only decimated community spirit but also led these residents to move into unpleasant, grey high-rises. Approximately, only 75% of THESE structures still stand, as the remaining 25% have ALSO been demolished.
In recent years, particularly in the West End of Glasgow, there have been plans to revamp Byres Road. The COVID pandemic may have caused delays, but there’s a concerted effort to make the area more cyclist and pedestrian-friendly, while reducing car accessibility. Plans were presented to the local community for voting through a website or at a community library in the West End (I believe); btw, I did not vote..
Judging from the photos (before the completed work), it doesn’t align with my vision of something positive. It appears monotonously grey, reminiscent of the old, grey, high-rises that replaced the tenements?
Although there is a smattering of red, the cycle of demolish, build, demolish, build – seems to be replaced with putting up something grey with a touch of red.
Several issues will arise, especially concerning the bike lanes. Pedestrians are already walking in them, and it’s unclear how they will function once completed. Additionally, the angles could pose challenges, making it difficult for moving cars to navigate, especially when encountering parked cars. Already, buses are experiencing delays due to these cars parked almost in the traffic lanes; creating significant traffic jams until the opposing traffic moves.
The effectiveness of this scheme will depend on how well it is policed. Monitoring and enforcement will likely be the key to the success of this initiative.
I’m not holding my breath.
CB
Curious Bystander 