Sauchiehall Avenue's first trees planted by Council Leader and local schoolchildren

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, was today (7 November) joined by pupils from Garnetbank Primary to help plant the first trees on Sauchiehall Avenue.

The £7.2million Sauchiehall Avenue project - between Charing Cross and Rose Street - has been underway since January and when finished, will feature a multifunctional service verge and two-way cycle lane on the northern side of Sauchiehall Street, with pavements widened to free up space for pedestrians and licensed tables and chairs on both sides of the street.

As part of the project, 27 trees - in a variety of deciduous species, with attractive colours throughout the year - will be planted along the Avenue. In addition, new bus shelters, cycle stands, seating, smart city infrastructure and improved street lighting will be delivered through the project, which is also delivering new public realm to the four streets to the south of Sauchiehall Street between Elmbank Street and Douglas Street.

Improved connections through this project are expected to bring economic, environmental and social benefits to this part of Glasgow, making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to move through the area, and enhancing its traditional status as a gateway into the city centre.

Sauchiehall Avenue will be the first of 16 such avenues to be created on Glasgow city centre streets in the coming years through the £115million Avenues project funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal. More information on the Avenues programme for Glasgow city centre is available at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues. 

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet, said: "This is a symbolic moment in the rebirth of Sauchiehall Street, one of our greatest thoroughfares and a landmark destination for so long in the city's history.  The street has faced considerable challenges in recent times, not least the fires which have devastated whole sections this year. But its revitalisation has been a priority for the City Government well before the fires and the planting of the trees marks the moment when businesses and those many people who live there or visit it for work, business, study or leisure will begin to see our plans gathering apace. I'm delighted local schoolchildren could join me in helping plant the first trees on the 'Sauchiehall Avenue'. In the years ahead I'm sure they will enjoy all the benefits that this project will bring as it blossoms."

The species of deciduous trees to be planted on Sauchiehall Avenue are as follows: Acer platanoides 'Deborah'; Acer campestre 'William Caldwell'; Ulmus 'Culumella'; Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' and Ginko biloba.

Both the UK and Scottish Governments are providing the Glasgow City Region local authorities with £500million in grant funding for the Glasgow City Region City Deal.