I know we’ve already posted once about the Council’s consultations on the new city plan and open spaces but here’s a reminder that you’ve got just a couple of weeks to send in your views. The local libraries all have postcard packs that can be picked up for free, filled in and sent back with your views. As ever with these things, if you don’t contribute now, don’t complain later! A few of the issues got me thinking:
Plans to expand conservation areas and create new ones. Nice idea in principle but when enforcement of the existing rules is almost non-existent due to staff shortages and cutbacks and the plans contained in conservation area appraisals aren’t been carried through, wouldn’t it be better to concentrate on existing areas before expanding?
New high-speed rail link on Airdrie-Bathgate line. If there’s money for this, why not use it to complete the mothballed airport rail link project? Or how about the long-discussed crossrail scheme? It’s already easy to get in and out of the centre of Glasgow, what’s not so good is getting across town, from south to east or from east to west.
Cycle routes. Plans to extend them along green corridors are great but what about the not-so-green and all the cycle routes that stop dead for no apparent reason? Why not make use of areas like back lanes as pleasant walking/cycling routes?
And as for green spaces, can we look beyond our fantastic parks? What about greening up residential areas, particularly those with wide pavements and tenement properties without gardens. More trees on streets like Nithsdale Road and small green spaces on under-utilised ground such as the area around Sammy Dow’s and on Nithsdale St would really help to make the area more visually appealing and healthier.
But what do you think? It couldn’t be easier to respond. Get along to the library if you can, or read the documents online. The closing date for responses is December 12th. You’ll find all the documents here: http://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/glasgow/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicDMartCurrent&NoIP=1
I think that expanding the conservation areas may actually be a good idea, if only to ensure the survival of the traditional tenement neighbourhoods, which are unique to Glasgow. Huge swaths of tenements have already been torn down and replaced with modern (less well built, less durable and less beautiful, to say the least) housing.
I used to live in Cabbagetown in Toronto, which bills itself as the largest preserved Victorian neighbourhood in North America. The historically intact sections of south side of Glasgow are many, many times the size of Cabbagetown. I know that in the U.K. these neighbourhoods aren’t actually considered that old or interesting. However, they’re what makes Glasgow unique, and I don’t think we’re going to see developers constructing mile upon mile of stone buildings ever again.
Whether or not there are illegal satellite dishes, antennas, and cheap windows on the buildings… that is really not such a big deal. All of those things are removable and replaceable. Most of these neighbourhoods aren’t wealthy, but as the economy picks up and more money does becomes available, people will maintain the buildings as best they can, and government grants would help.
I’m with you on the green space for Nithdale idea, BTW!
I’m with you on the expansion of the conservation areas – the tenements make the Bungo a nice place to live in. Afraid I can’t agree with you about more trees and/or pavement furniture on Nithsdale Road, though.
The pavement is already very crowded, especially outside the cafes – Cookie and the New Anand are particularly bad for this as the owners seem to think that they have free reign to clutter up the areas outside their shops with bins, tables and signs. It can be difficult to pass at times, especially with a pram, and I imagine it’s going to get worse at the other end once the new pub has been finished.
In saying that, the grassy area near the phonebox could do with a spruce up. In particular the dead cherry tree really needs to come down before it gets blown onto someone’s car. I’d be very happy to take it down but I’m not sure the council would appreciate my efforts. Do you think it’s worth giving the council Parks & Gardens team a call?
I agree that there’s a lot of room for improvement on Nithsdale Rd. While talks about reinstatement works after the batching plant has gone and the mine workings are filled in has concentrated on the back lanes, it’s obvious there will also be a need to repair Nithsdale Road. The Society is hoping to get together with local businesses and see if we can work together to make the most of this – perhaps creating a shared, attractive sign at the Pollokshaws Rd end of the street to highlight local businesses, rather than the current hotchpotch of signage and making the most of these gateways into the area.
@Neil
Ah, but Nothdale Road is twice as wide as it needs to be, considering the fact that it’s used as a parking lot. You could have the same number of parking spaces and widen each sidewalk by six feet. If that happened, then there’d be plenty of room for plantings, business-related stuff AND prams.
@Dee
Aye, the road is somewhat wide, but I don’t think that extending the pavements would be entirely feasible unless some sort of parking restrictions were introduced at the same time. Even before the batching plant arrived the level of double parking on the street was intolerable at times and now its getting even worse. I don’t think that would stop if the road was narrowed.
Im not advocating the introduction of parking charges as it would damage the businesses on the street, but that’s not to say I can’t see the attraction at times. Mind you, a row of native trees down either side of the street also has a certain appeal.
@Laura
I agree with the plan for a new sign – perhaps it could have some extra space on it for use as a community notice board? It would be nice to plant up the “dog toilet” at the other end of the street too. To that end, I may be able to get my hands on some native wildflower seed packs in the new year.
@Neil, I reckon a bit of guerilla gardening might be in order on the dog toilet! Not sure if you’ve seen it but someone seems to have done that on a similar area up Nithsdale Rd near the junction with Shields Rd. They had some great bee and butterfly-friendly plants. I suppose the other thing is to encourage residents, shops and businesses to think about planters, hanging baskets etc.
On the other points, to be honest I think it would make sense to get painted bays on Nithsdale Rd, which would make parking clearer and stop all the silly wasted space that goes on but that would need a TRO. I’d widen the pavements by 3ft each side, giving room for native trees and bins etc while still allowing buggies to pass easily.