Drumchapel community have their say on how £16.64m should be spent

It was confirmed back in November that the UK government had awarded Glasgow City Council £14.98million to help develop the town centre.

The local authority then pledged a further £1.64m of their own to the project earlier this year, taking the final total to £16.64m.

The funding will help deliver new housing and revamp the town centre, including a new public plaza and an improved transport network with better walking and cycling routes.

It will also include enhanced community facilities, new green space and street furniture and work to address local flooding issues.

Design teams are currently being put together by the council, and a project programme which includes further public consultation is being prepared. 

Public realm and road works are programmed to be on site in the Spring of 2025 and completed later that year, with works to provide new community facilities expected to begin in Spring 2025 with completion in early 2026.

This week, we reported that Drumchapel residents had criticised Glasgow City Council's "vague" communications over housing plans in relation to the Levelling Up funding that the area will receive.

So the Glasgow Times spoke to those who live in the community to get their thoughts on the plans and find out their hopes for Drumchapel going forward.

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(Image: Newsquest) Kim Campbell, a mother, feels there should be more in the funding plans for young people.

"At the minute there is little to nothing for the children in the area," she said. 

"So hearing about these plans, as much it sounds positive for the council to be making way for housing and developing the community hub, I feel more facilities for local kids need to be provided as lot of them don't have much."

(Image: Newsquest) Alexander Knox, 64, feels that housing is the top priority in the area and hopes that Glasgow City Council can get the plans in place to build on the identified ground behind the shopping centre as soon as possible.

He said: "When I originally read the coverage about the funding I was under the impression homes would be built using the money available.

"So, when I learned that they are only clearing the area for housing, and social landlords still need to come in and build them separately, I was disappointed. 

"Everything else in the plans sounds positive but we need housing more than anything else in the area."

(Image: Newsquest) Mary Robertson, 65, is glad to hear that some of the funding is going towards making the town centre more pedestrian-friendly.

"I think the concept of making the road beside the shopping centre a bit safer is a good idea," she said.

"Plenty of kids hang around here and it is always busy so if there was a pedestrian crossing, for example, that would be great.

"Anything to make the community safer is always welcome."

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(Image: Newsquest) Billy Harkness, 68, is glad to hear about the expansion of green spaces as part of the funding.

"It would be nice to see a community garden, as long as people are available to to maintain it," he said.

"More green spaces are always welcome as we have felt neglected in that respect over the years."

(Image: Newsquest) Donna McCraicken also hopes that more can be created for children in the community.

"It would be great to see a new park built with some of the money as there is little for kids to do in the area," she said.

"Providing safe spaces is vital for children to help them develop."

(Image: Newsquest) Andrew McKenna, 70, thinks the plans sound good but has his doubts over whether they will come to fruition.

"On paper, things sound great, but I have learned not to expect much from plans like this," he added.

"The proof is in the pudding and I hope it all works out, but until I can see the work done with my own eyes, I won't be getting too excited."