The Avenues Plus project along Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie's Loan was officially opened on 25 August by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn and Councillor Angus Millar, Glasgow City Council's Convener for Climate, Transport and City Centre Recovery.

Completed in May, the scheme delivers greener, safer and more accessible streets, strengthening links between neighbourhoods and key destinations such as Buchanan Bus Station and Glasgow Caledonian University. It is the latest to be delivered through the £22.5 million Scottish Government-funded Avenues Plus programme, which is reshaping streets and public spaces across the city centre. Further projects at Duke Street, John Knox Street and South Portland Street are due in the coming months, with the Argyle Street West Avenue set to complete next month and work on Argyle Street East, North Hanover Street and Stockwell Street progressing.

At Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie's Loan, improvements include upgraded pavements and carriageways, safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling, enhanced crossings and junctions, additional seating and new landscaping. A total of 59 trees have been planted alongside rain gardens that help manage surface water, improve air quality and create a more attractive streetscape.

-- Advertisement --

As well as enhancing day-to-day journeys, the changes provide a more welcoming setting for residents, students, workers and visitors. Higher-quality public spaces and stronger links between neighbourhoods, public transport and nearby destinations are expected to support the ongoing regeneration of this part of the city centre.

The former underpass between Buchanan Bus Station and Glasgow Caledonian University has been replaced by a new street-level route, providing a more open and accessible connection between the two locations.

Elsewhere, the route between Dundasvale and Cowcaddens Road has been upgraded to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists, with new planting improving the appearance of the area and reinforcing links between nearby communities and the city centre.

Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: "Cowcaddens Road today looks unrecognisable compared to before the improvement works taking place - with more greenery, new public spaces and better connections between neighbourhoods, public transport and key destinations.

"The completion of this project is a key milestone in the Avenues programme, and a good example of how these works are transforming our city centre streets into more attractive places for residents, businesses and visitors.

"With Cowcaddens Road connecting to the already completed Cambridge Street Avenue, and soon to link to completed works at North Hanover Street and the newly refurbished George Square, the new look of large parts of our city centre is really taking shape."

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, said: "The transformation we see here at Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie's Loan is exactly why we're continuing to invest in active travel across Scotland. Through the more than £68 million funding allocation announced today, we can support more projects like this in communities right across the country, creating safer, greener and more attractive places to live, work and travel.

"This project has improved connections for people walking, wheeling and cycling, while making the area more welcoming and resilient through new public spaces, trees and planting. It demonstrates how investment in active travel can support healthier lifestyles, tackle congestion and help drive the regeneration of our towns and cities."