Council approves acceptance of funding from Sustrans for active travel connections at new civic square in Shawlands

A Glasgow City Council committee today (1 November) approved the acceptance of a funding grant of £120,000 from Sustrans to develop active travel connections on and between the new civic square in Shawlands and Queen's Park.

The new civic square, located outside Langside Hall at the junction of Pollokshaws Road and Langside Avenue, is expected to be complete in late 2018, and will feature high quality paving, new cycling provision, market space, a performance platform and lighting improvements.

Over 400 local residents and local businesses were involved in a consultation which helped to inform the final detailed design for the public square.

To meet the aspirations of the community to improve active travel connections between the new civic space and Queen's Park, a new route was introduced along with associated cycle infrastructure that improves access between Shawlands Town Centre, the square and the park. In order to meet the resulting increased project costs, an application was made to Sustrans Community Links fund in 2017 for these works which resulted in a grant offer of £120,000 from Sustrans.

The square is the third phase of environmental and public realm improvements to take place through the £3.3million Shawlands Town Centre Action Plan, which has delivered a range of environmental and public realm improvements across the area alongside other complementary initiatives to reinvigorate the area, support businesses and help attract further customers and visitors.

Work in the earlier phases included improvements to the public realm on Kilmarnock Road, Pollokshaws Road, Skirving Street and Minard Road.

Councillor Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council, said: "The new civic square in Shawlands will be a great asset and a real community focus for the people of the area. The active travel route connecting the town centre, the square and Queen's Park will bring economic, social and environmental benefits, and so we very much welcome this funding from Sustrans."