Next phase of George Square reopening to be marked with family celebration
Families will take over city centre streets to mark the next milestone in the transformation of George Square.
Plans are now in place to welcome people back to George Square and the surrounding streets to mark the completion of the western section.
On the first weekend in September, roads will close to traffic, with streetplay and activities for all ages as the fencing come down at the Queen Street end of George Square.
The George Square project is part of the wider £123 million Avenues programme, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The UK and Scottish Governments are each contributing £8.815 million towards the main construction contract for George Square and the surrounding Avenues.
The event marks a key milestone in the phased reopening of the Square, which has been under development since May last year. The first section along the north carriageway re-opened last month.
Council leader Susan Aitken said:
“It has been fantastic to see the new Square start to emerge – and we want to welcome people back and let them see what this space is going to look like as soon as we can.
“This will be a weekend where people can walk, play and start to get to know their new square, as the biggest section yet reopens.”
Work at the western end of the Square is due to be complete at the end of August. Further sections will continue to be opened to the public as it is safe to do so – with the final fences expected to be removed by the end of October.
Cllr Aitken continued:
“People are going to see a lot of progress over the weeks ahead – with statues returning next month, as well a lot of work on paving and planting.
“Rather than keeping the entire site closed until every element is complete, we will continue reopening sections in phases – allowing Glaswegians and visitors to start enjoying the new spaces as they are finished and ahead of the full reopening in October.”
As of today, footways on all four sides of the Square are largely complete – with the north carriageway having reopened to traffic on 26 June.
The Square’s 11 bronze statues will return in early August, with restoration work on the Sir Walter Scott Monument nearing completion.
The laying of granite paving has now recommenced on the western side of the Square and will continue until the statues return, ahead of a two-week pause to allow the statues to be relocated onto their plinths.
Works are also progressing well at the Eastern portion of the Square and at the Cenotaph, with stone repairs ongoing before a final clean.