First Bus is the largest and main bus operator in Greater Glasgow
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Most bus passengers across Strathclyde can now benefit from the £2 Bus Fare Cap, making public transport more affordable for communities across much of the west of Scotland.
The rollout marks the next major step in the Scottish Government’s commitment to expand the £2 fare cap beyond the Highlands and Islands and towards a nationwide £2 Bus Fare Cap – supporting people with everyday travel costs while encouraging greater use of public transport.
The cap applies across participating bus services throughout Strathclyde, covering Glasgow, Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire.
First Minister John Swinney said:
“The cost of living remains one of the biggest challenges facing households across Scotland, so making public transport more affordable is all the more an important.
“The launch of the £2 Bus Fare Cap across Strathclyde means that more people can get where they need to go with more money in their pocket – that is clear action to help people save money during a cost of living crisis.
“Following the successful rollout across the Highlands and Islands, this expansion is the next major step towards our ambition of delivering a national rollout of £2 bus fares, ensuring they apply in every area in Scotland.
“Bus travel remains the most widely used form of public transport in Scotland and we are working to make it as affordable, accessible and attractive as possible. This is vital to grow the economy, travel sustainably and protect the planet.”
The rollout across Strathclyde covers a significant proportion of Scotland’s population and the Scottish Government has worked closely with bus operators, regional transport partnerships and delivery organisations to introduce the fare cap and ensure passengers can benefit from simpler, more affordable bus travel.
Andy Cullen, Regional Director of First Bus in Scotland, said:
“We look forward to welcoming our regular customers on board and seeing more people discover the value of using the bus in their daily travel across Glasgow and the wider region.
“We will continue to work in partnership with the government to ensure the £2 fare cap is a success and reinforces the important role of buses in keeping people, families and communities connected to jobs, education, training, healthcare and leisure.”
Michael Roach, Inverclyde Council's interim director of education, Kirstin Glancy, King's Oak Primary head teacher, and Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council's vice-convener of education, with pupils in one of the refurbished rooms in the new ASN base at King's Oak Primary in Greenock.
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Extra support is in place for primary children in Inverclyde with additional needs thanks to council investment of over £200,000.
The local authority has created two new additional support needs (ASN) bases at King’s Oak and St Andrew’s primaries in Greenock to meet growing demand and improve access to specialist services.
They opened in time for the start of term in August following a raft of improvements carried out during the summer holidays.
Inverclyde Council also invested an additional £800,000 across the two schools in further refurbishment works but the overall investment in the primary ASN expansion is much higher when additional staffing and other associated costs are added.
In recent years, the local authority has also introduced a secondary ASN provision base at Clydeview Academy and expanded existing centres, including Craigmarloch School and All Saints Primary.
Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education, said: “We know that demand for specialist services is growing which is why we have taken these positive, proactive steps to increase our ASN offer across primary and secondary.
“The new ASN bases at King’s Oak and St Andrew’s will help us to continue to meet the needs of pupils who need extra support while putting to good use available space within the schools.
“Expanding primary ASN into two further settings also brings specialist services closer to the people who may need them and will cut down on travel for families.
“This is a really positive move and I’m delighted to see the staff and pupils are settling in well in their new surroundings and wish them success for the new term.”
King’s Oak and St Andrew’s were explored as alternative locations because primary provision at existing centres had reached capacity.
Education officials also wanted to ensure ASN services are in places that are more accessible to people across Inverclyde and minimise travel for families and utilise empty or underused classrooms at the schools.
Following committee approval of the King’s Oak and St Andrew’s proposals, the council carried out a public consultation to allow parents, staff and other key stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the plans.
There is capacity for up to 48 pupils in total across both schools – 24 per site.
The council carried out a package of works at both schools during the summer to make the necessary improvements required for the new ASN bases and further enhance the schools.
The works included installation of more energy-efficient LED lighting, ceiling replacements, and decoration.
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
East Dunbartonshire residents are being urged to close the door on criminals, cold callers and fraudsters.
Trusted Trader Week 2026, which runs from 7-11 September, is a chance to home in on important advice – including how vital it is to know who a tradesperson is before you let them into your home.
If you’re planning to call in the experts – from plumbers and builders to bathroom fitters and roofers – the East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme has got you covered.
The initiative, which is supported by the Council and Trading Standards, provides access to a list of local and reputable vetted businesses.
You can search for Trusted Traders via the website – www.trustedtrader.scot/EastDunbartonshire – as well as viewing feedback and comments left by previous customers. The scheme, which operates across the country, is supported by Police Scotland and www.consumeradvice.scot
East Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards team is responsible for overseeing the initiative locally – vetting prospective members, regularly examining business practices, and monitoring reviews and feedback.
Key advice for residents:
– Never agree to work on the doorstep, however reasonable the person seems. A Trusted Trader will not cold call. If someone at your door has spotted a ‘problem’ with your roof or home, or has a price that is ‘only good today’, you do not owe them a conversation.
– Not everyone is who they seem – only use reputable companies you have chosen and try to get three quotes (in writing). When in doubt ask friends/family or use official schemes such as www.trustedtrader.scot/EastDunbartonshire (rather than a directory anyone can pay to join)
– Even when you are expecting a tradesperson, if anything gives you concern then you are entitled to check. Take their details, close the door and look them up. A genuine business will not mind waiting.
– Be wary of traders who claim they can start immediately, but demand large sums of cash or a bank transfer up front. Never agree to pay in advance for work yet to be carried out.
– Get a full business name and address you can check, not just a first name and a mobile number.
– Watch out for fake claims and reviews – are they legitimate and backed up by evidence?
Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of the Council’s Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, said: “It is important that we all stay alert for possible doorstep crime and scams. Don’t allow anyone you’re not expecting into your home and never pay up front for work still to be carried out.
“Please don’t feel pressured into making decisions quickly – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, which gives you a chance to carry out your own research.
“Most tradespeople are honest, skilled and do a good job, but scammers often know exactly how to look and what to say. A uniform, a van with a name and a confident manner can be very convincing – a rogue trader does not have to fit a stereotype.”
If you ever feel threatened or pressured, please say ‘no’ and contact Police Scotland on 101 (999 in an emergency).
You can also call Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510 and information can be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
If you’re planning to have work done on your property, visit www.trustedtrader.scot/EastDunbartonshire – where you can search for a business and view comments from previous customers. It’s also the place to go if you’re a local trader and interested in joining the scheme.
The Trusted Trader initiative is centred around a Code of Practice, which covers:
– Transparent procedures for quoting and carrying out work
– Only charging a fair and reasonable price
– Dealing with complaints promptly.
Broomhouse residents and local politicians on Hamilton Road
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson and Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
New road measures to help lessen the impact of thousands of HGVs in Glasgow’s east end have been agreed following local residents launching an urgent public campaign against the council after ‘15 years of failed action on Hamilton Road’ that has reportedly led to destroyed roads, cracked homes and affected local wellbeing.
Highlighting that city planning has ‘dropped the ball with the overburdening of a residential road by turning it into a rat run’, Broomhouse Community Council have endured a long lasting battle to prevent HGV traffic down Hamilton Road that has caused many issues with local residents.
Hamilton Road in Broomhouse, between Blackbear to Mount Vernon Train Station, is home to houses, flats and restaurants. Connected to Greenoakhill Quarry, the single lane road is used daily by large trucks to transport waste.
Ran by multiple million pound organisation Patersons Quarries Ltd, the quarry was set to shut years ago leading to influx in population into the area, but the landfill ultimately did not shut.
After a meeting over concerns last week, Glasgow City Council has vowed to install a new pedestrian crossing with electronic speed signs, resurface the road and add bus shelters among other changes. Other changes will see gullies checked, more street cleaning and speed surveys taking place.
Broomhouse Community Council member Jennifer Smith said residents are “delighted with the actions that have been agreed, adding; “We will continue to campaign and push for more change.”
Jennifer said the long term goal is to reduce the number of HGVs on the road as heavy vehicles are causing homes to vibrate.
Patterson’s Greenoakhill landfill and quarry generates a lot of traffic and it operates 363 days a year according to the local resident. She added: “The road can’t withstand that amount of traffic.”
Highlighting the meeting as a success, the community council explained:
“On the back of the campaign website, petition and the years of hard work pushing for action it’s great news that the community’s concerns are now being taken seriously by Glasgow City Council.
“At the meeting last week with the heads of key council departments, some really positive actions were agreed which is encouraging and progress in the right direction. We are keen to build on this with further discussions on the most fundamental issue which is the volume of HGVs using this road and the impact of this on Broomhouse and residents wellbeing.”
Despite improvements agreed, residents are still fighting for change with the ultimate goal being to stop the HGV traffic on Hamilton Road and re-route it to a nearby dual carriageway. Hamilton Road is an A road, meaning it is suitable for large vehicle traffic but the Broomhouse Community Council are fighting to have this changed to a B road.
Dad Jonathan Drake said: “My house is shaking and it is affecting us.”
He said there are concerns over children walking along the road, adding: “We see the dust on the road.”
He is supportive of the landfill site coming to an end to make Broomhouse a “better place to live.”
Another resident on Hamilton Road, Craig Rae, highlighted the meeting as not as effective as it should have been, explaining:
“I welcome the positive commitments that were made last week by Glasgow council, but I came away from the meeting feeling that the Council still does not fully appreciate the scale of the problem facing Hamilton Road. The excessive HGV traffic, and the noise and vibration that comes with it, are the issues that residents are most concerned about — yet these were not properly addressed.
“Nobody is suggesting that better signage, road repairs or improved bus shelters are unwelcome. They are all positive developments. But they don’t deal with the fundamental problem. Residents are having to live with large numbers of heavy goods vehicles passing their homes everyday, generating significant levels of noise and road-borne vibration.
“What was disappointing was the sense that the severity of these problems was being questioned or minimised, rather than properly acknowledged. Residents know what they experience in their own homes every day, and we believe the Council needs to take that experience seriously.
“Residents now want to see the Council properly investigate the HGV problem and acknowledge the very real impact that the traffic, noise and vibration are having on people who live here.”
Broomhouse Community Council members and local residents at last week's meeting at Glasgow's City Chambers. Back row L to R- Amin Shaikh, Craig Rae, Jennifer Smith, Sarah Rose Graber. Front Row L to R- Councillor John Daly, MP John Grady, Councillor Kevin Lalley, and the Chief of Staff for MSP David Linden- Graeme Sneddon
A Glasgow Council spokesperson told the Glasgow View that they are engaging with the local community to ‘explore other options for improving the road network’, they added:
“Hamilton Road at Broomhouse is an A-class distributor road that connects to the M74 and is suitable for all types of vehicle.
“The road carries around 10,000 vehicles per day and given its role in the network, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are generally unsuitable for this kind of road.
“The lay-out of the road with cycle lanes and central, hatched markings can help reduce traffic speeds.
“A substantial section of Hamilton Road between the junction with London Road and Daldowie Road has recently been resurfaced and relined. Other sections of Hamilton Road will be kept under assessment.”
Back when the campaigning began 15 years ago, local residents were told that the quarry was closing but this was not the case. Years later, the quarry is reportedly closing after the last fell is filled which may still be some time away, causing more damage and issues to Hamilton Road.
Community Council member Sarah Jane Graber explained to the Glasgow View that she is ‘shocked at how our own council tax is paying to fix a problem primarily caused by a multi-million pound private company’, adding:
“With the council struggling to cover their own bills, why aren’t Patersons of Greenoakhill, a multi-million pound private company, being footed with the bill? They are directly responsible for most of the HGV traffic breaking this residential road and negatively impacting the daily life of residents. It’s genuinely outrageous that our council tax money alone would fix destruction caused by the wealthy company who created the problem in the first place.”
With a petition in support of bringing about change having over 400 signatures , the campaign has also received support from politicians including the local MP John Grady.
He explained that he is pleased to support the community council and residents of Broomhouse, highlighting that the Glasgow Council’s agreed action is ‘good news for people in Broomhouse’.
He said: “There are encouraging signs the council is acting on the community’s concerns but we need delivery.
“It is heartbreaking to see kids unable to sleep and getting disturbed by the volume of traffic.”
Also gaining support from MSP for Glasgow Ballieston and Shettleston David Linden, he explained:
“Residents in Broomhouse have been badly affected by the thundering of HGV traffic along Hamilton Road. The condition of the road has worsened over time and residents are rightly fed up with the noise and dust from these vehicles, which makes their lives miserable.
“I note that Glasgow City Council have promised significant improvements to Hamilton Road. It is particularly welcome that they have prioritised further resurfacing, a new traffic survey, increased road cleaning and gulley inspections. I hope those changes deliver a noticeable difference for residents on Hamilton Road.
“I commend Broomhouse Community Council on their hard-fought campaign to fix Hamilton Road. I will also be holding Paterson’s to account for their activities at the Greenoakhill site off Hamilton Road, making sure that they start to wind down operations to reduce the volume of HGV traffic and ultimately make Hamilton Road a much nicer place to live.”
Councillor John Daly, Conservative, said: “It is so important to get senior (council) officers out talking to the community so they can see the impact of budget cuts on our communities.”
Councillor Kevin Lalley added: “It was great to host a meeting with senior officials from GCC and members of our community, and the commitment made by the officers is very welcome. We will continue to ask further questions on long term solutions and its great news that GCC have welcomed future discussions with residents.”
With Broomhouse highlighted by the council as an area for development and planning, residents and members of the community council are hoping that last week’s meeting leads to more change and further attention on the issue that is affecting many local lives.
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
The number of Glasgow primary school children being “excluded” from class has more than doubled over the last five years.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the council by councillor Paul Carey and shared exclusively with the LDR service shows that the number of primary school children excluded in 2021/22 sat at 74 and rose to 166 by 2025/26.
There were 79, 119 and 164 exclusions in 2022/23, 2023/25 and 2024/25 respectively.
Meanwhile the number of children excluded from their secondary school classes rose from 434 in 2021/22 to 495 in 2022/23. The numbers dropped slightly to 460 in 2023/24 before rising to 468 and 529 in 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Glasgow City Council has confirmed that it does not use the term “suspension” but an equivalent measure is recorded as an “exclusion” which are all temporary.
The local authority has also provided the following statistics to show a “more meaningful comparison” between local authorities of different sizes.
Further information shows exclusion rates per 1000 primary school pupils for 2025/26 sat at 4.2 and 17.2 per 1000 secondary school pupils.
Councillor Paul Carey (BEM) says Scotland’s schools need answers and not excuses.
Councillor Carey said: “Something is happening in Scotland’s schools that politicians can no longer afford to ignore.
“There are clear links between exclusions and some of the wider pressures facing children and families.
“If we want to understand exclusions, we need to understand those underlying pressures.
“A classroom is a shared environment. Persistent and serious disruption does not only affect the pupil displaying the behaviour. It can affect every other child in that classroom.
“Every time a teacher has to stop a lesson to deal with serious disruption, other pupils can lose valuable learning time.
“Over time, lost teaching time can affect the whole classroom and potentially the wider school environment.
“The pupil struggling with behaviour deserves support. But the pupil sitting quietly, working hard and trying to achieve good results deserves support too.
“I am not suggesting these figures prove that exclusions caused attainment to fall but if persistent disruption is reducing teaching time, what impact is that having on attainment?
“If teachers are spending more time managing behaviour, how much learning is being lost?
“And if some young people are reaching the point of exclusion because their needs have not been addressed early enough, could better intervention improve both behaviour and educational outcomes?
“Teachers and school staff are dealing with increasingly complex challenges.
“Many of the factors behind difficult behaviour cannot be solved by a teacher standing in front of a classroom.
“We can protect vulnerable young people while also protecting the rights of every other child in the classroom.
“If we are serious about improving educational outcomes, we need to understand those connections and make sure the system around schools is working effectively.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Exclusions in our schools have reduced over the years due to the commitment of teachers and school staff to use nurturing and restorative principles to target the individual needs of our children.
“Exclusions always remain one of the options for young people to understand that there are consequences for certain types of behaviour.”
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
A plea for Glasgow councillors and colleagues to embark on an evening walk to experience the safety issues faced by women and girls has been issued by a local councillor.
Councillor Elaine McDougal believes it is important to join Police Scotland officers to see the situation first hand and hear about the challenges they face on the streets of Glasgow while seeing areas in the city where women and young girls may feel particularly vulnerable.
It comes after latest figures from the Scottish Police Authority show that violence against women and girls increased by 7.6% in 2025–26, while crimes involving a domestic element increased by 12.2%.
Councillor McDougal believes there is growing concern about attacks, sexual violence, harassment, intimidation and threatening behaviour towards women and girls, particularly in our city centre and during the evening and night-time economy.
Councillor McDougal said: “I was born in Glasgow. I know this city, I have grown up with it and I have spent many years serving the people of my constituency.
“For years, areas around the Four Corners and St Enoch have faced persistent problems with anti-social behaviour, drug misuse, violence and intimidation.
“I have organised walkabouts for councillors to see these problems first-hand. You cannot understand what is happening on our streets by sitting in a committee room and reading reports.
“First, [we need] to call for a city-centre task force, led jointly by the council and Police Scotland, with youth services, social work, housing, drug and alcohol services, transport providers and local businesses around the table.
“It should have clear targets, regular operations in known hotspots and publicly reported results. We should know how many operations have taken place, how many arrests and interventions have resulted, and what action is being taken with vulnerable people and repeat offenders.
“Second, we need more visible policing at the times and places people feel most vulnerable. The dispersal powers and recent arrests are welcome, but short-term operations must become part of a sustained approach to tackling repeat problems.
“Third, we need a specific plan for young people being drawn into these areas. That means safe spaces, youth workers and diversionary activities available at evenings and weekends — not simply expecting young people to find their own alternatives.
“Fourth, we need to use the visitor levy strategically. If we are asking visitors to contribute to the city, some of that additional income should support measures that make the city centre safer, cleaner and more attractive, including public-space improvements, youth provision and community safety initiatives.”
Councillor McDougal says councillors need to see first hand to understand what women experience when they are walking home at night, waiting for public transport, leaving work, going out with friends or simply trying to get from one part of the city to another.
They also need to understand the challenges faced by the police officers who are expected to respond to incidents and keep people safe.
She continued: “For someone arriving at Glasgow Airport, their journey into a city-centre hotel may be their first impression. Someone arriving by train from Edinburgh, London, Manchester or elsewhere in the UK walks straight out of Glasgow Central into the heart of the city.
“We have to ask ourselves what impression we want to give them.
“But ultimately this is not about tourists. It is about the people who use the city centre every day.
“A woman should feel safe coming into town at night. Families should feel comfortable bringing their children. Young people should have positive places to go. Workers should be able to travel home without intimidation.
“Police Scotland cannot fix this alone, and neither can the council. That is precisely why we need a coordinated response, clear responsibility and measurable action.
“I was born here, and I know what this city is capable of. We should not accept persistent disorder as simply part of city-centre life.
“The standard has to be higher — and now is the time to deliver it.”
Teacher Cassie O'Neill receiving her award
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
An Inverclyde teacher has been presented with a national award for promoting equality and diversity.
Cassie O’Neill, who works at King’s Oak Primary, was named joint winner of The Herald Saroj Lal Award 2026 for a Pioneering Spirit in Equality and Diversity in June shortly before the summer holidays.
With the new term now underway, Cassie was presented with the award at the school by Vineet Lal, son of Saroj.
They were accompanied by Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education, interim education director Michael Roach, head teacher Kirstin Glancy, depute head Lynne Wilson, TV presenter and activist Jean Johansson, and pupils who have been involved in racial literacy work.
The prize celebrates the work of teachers who actively challenge discrimination, demonstrating a pioneering spirit and determination in a bid to promote and facilitate a culture and ethos of equality and diversity – both in the classroom and beyond.
The award is named in honour of Saroj Lal, a trailblazing teacher, race relations campaigner and community activist who worked at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education in its early years, laying the foundations for many others to build on.
Cassie is the 2026 joint winner alongside fellow teacher Youssouf Kassime, from The Royal High School in Edinburgh, and lecturer Allan Smith from Dundee and Angus College, who have all been praised for being ‘inspirational educators’.
It is the second time a teacher from Inverclyde has won the award following on from then Newark Primary teacher Katie D’Souza, now at Inverkip Primary, who was named joint winner in 2022.
Cassie said: “It’s an honour to receive this award and for it to have been presented by Saroj’s son, Vineet, is extra special.
“Promoting equality and social justice is important to me and Saroj’s legacy continues to inspire me and others to champion inclusion and ensure it is at the heart of the curriculum and teaching.
“While this is an individual award and I am very proud of that, it’s also recognition and praise for the work and support of my colleagues, pupils, wider school community, and indeed the excellent work right across Inverclyde around diversity and inclusion.”
The 2026 season of the award is the fourth edition, and organisers say they had a record number of truly outstanding nominations were received from across Scotland – including, for the first time, nominations from the college sector.
Vineet, who is also an award panellist, said: “It was great to meet Cassie in person to present her award and see first-hand the trailblazing work she is doing at King’s Oak Primary.
“Cassie is an inspirational young educator who demonstrates the pioneering spirit in equality and diversity that this award is all about.
“She is a fantastic ambassador for the school, the council, and Inverclyde.”
The 2026 winners have been honoured for demonstrating what is possible when educators are willing to step beyond their comfort zones and lead this work in practice.
Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education, said: “Cassie is an inspirational teacher and person and is very worthy of the 2026 Saroj Lal Award.
“She goes above and beyond to promote inclusion, diversity and challenge injustice, which is something we should be applauding.
“Congratulations to Cassie and King’s Oak for this well-deserved recognition and for the important work they are doing to ensure Inverclyde remains a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.”
Judges praised Cassie and her fellow winners for being able to ‘step out of their comfort zone to make a difference in the area of equality and anti-discrimination’ and to ‘confront stereotypes, to challenge prejudice and to be comfortable with diversity’.
The King’s Oak teacher has led on various racial literacy projects and events in the school and invited high-profile guests, including Inverclyde TV presenter and activist Jean Johansson, to speak to pupils.
Cassie’s work helped shape the school’s equalities policy, Black History Month planner, and pupil-led projects, including a novel, Passing the Racism Border.
An embankment along the River Clyde is being cut back (image by LDR)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
An overgrown embankment along the south side of the River Clyde is being cut back as part of efforts to make the area “safer” and “cleaner”.
Workers are carrying out “vegetation management” on the western section of the Carlton Place embankment, next to the South Portland Street suspension bridge.
The site has become “heavily overgrown” over many years, with self-seeded trees, scrub and other vegetation growing close to retaining walls, bridges and lights, the council said.
An arboriculture assessment found a significant proportion of the vegetation is in “poor and declining condition”.
A council spokesman said the works will improve visibility, making the area easier to inspect, maintain and manage. “This will support a safe, cleaner and better managed environment for residents, visitors and businesses,” he added.
Further works are still needed to “address the quay wall and areas of instability along the river edge”. As a result, there will be no public access to the open space, with signs advising access is “restricted due to subsidence”.
Bark mulch will be spread on the site after the works are complete, with wildflower seed then spread in Spring. It will be managed by the council’s parks service, which will carry out treatment for invasive and non-native weeds.
Proposals for new lighting and repairs on the A-listed South Portland Street suspension bridge are also being developed. It is hoped the work will complement the recently-completed South Portland Street Avenues Plus project, which included new CCTV, cycle paths and tree planting.
Council officials are also engaging with the owners of a vacant property at 63-73 Carlton Place over the future of the building.
“As a whole, these activities represent an important step in improving the neighbourhood environment while supporting future investment and enhancement of Carlton Place and the surrounding riverside area,” the spokesman said.
A consultation process recently ended on a wider masterplan to “reinvigorate” the ‘North Laurieston’ area, which has been described as the “last piece in the regeneration jigsaw” on the city’s south bank.
Drawn up to address “urban decay” on the south side of the river, a draft plan included bringing empty buildings, like listed properties on Carlton Place, back into use and improving the attractiveness of local streets.
It is hoped the plan can help to “re-connect” this area to the city centre, Tradeston, New Gorbals and the rest of Laurieston. Glasgow City Council has worked alongside New Gorbals Housing Association on the project.
The masterplan, which is currently being revised following the consultation feedback, is expected to go before councillors for approval early next month. It would become a ‘material consideration’ when making planning decisions.
Recycling bin
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Glasgow residents are being asked about their recycling habits during a consultation as the council as looking at ways to deal with contamination in bins.
Rubbish is often put in the wrong bins in the city – which means Glasgow has one of the lowest household recycling rates in Scotland.
Residents are being asked what would cause them to place the wrong items in bins and what is confusing about recycling among other questions in the survey.
It also also asks people non-mandatory questions about their personal details including ethnicity.
Only about 27 per cent of the city’s household waste is recycled compared to 43 per cent nationally, a council committee heard last year.
The council said in the survey: “Contamination in recycling bins remains a significant challenge, adversely impacting costs, environmental outcomes, recycling performance, and the reputation of Glasgow City Council.
“Contamination occurs when non-recyclable materials are placed in recycling bins, disrupting the recycling process at all stages, from collection through to sorting and final processing.
“The Council is currently undertaking a review of its processes for identifying and managing contamination within household recycling bins. As part of this review, a short resident survey has been developed.”
In a social media post, the council added: “Every week, recycling collections across Glasgow contain items that shouldn’t be in the bin. Even a small number of incorrect items can contaminate an entire collection and make it harder to recycle materials.
“We’re carrying out a short survey to better understand the challenges residents face when using their bins and recycling services.
“Whether you’re confident about recycling or sometimes find it confusing, we’d like to hear from you.”
The council said the feedback will be used to help make recycling easier, reduce contamination and help Glaswegians recycle more.
To take part in the survey visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GlasgowResidentsRecycling/
The deadline is October 13.
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Glasgow City Region has welcomed confirmation of £22.7million in year one funding through the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund – supporting business growth, skills and employability, and new commercial space across the Region.
The investment is the first stage of a total £60.9million investment over three years, split into revenue and capital allocation and targeted across three themes: enabling infrastructure, business support, and skills and employment.
The £6.9million year-one revenue funding will support the eight member councils to continue delivering established Business Support, Skills and Employability activity, helping people into work, supporting business growth, and equipping residents with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.
The year one capital funding will support two key programmes across the Region. £14.9million will go towards an extension to the Region’s Enabling Commercial Space programme, addressing a well-evidenced shortage of high-quality business space across the Region.
The remaining £833,000 capital funding will be used to develop a Green Business Support programme, offering SMEs grants of up to £10,000 to help them transition to net zero.
A third capital programme of Regional Projects of Scale will be funded in future years. Glasgow City Region is currently engaging with stakeholders and partners to develop a programme of projects that support the Regional Economic Strategy and Local Growth Fund priorities.
An Investment Plan setting out how the funding will be used by the Region was developed in partnership with the eight councils, considered by the Regional Partnership, and approved by Cabinet in May 2026. The plan was approved by the UK Government in August 2026.
Kevin Rush, Executive Director of Economic Growth for Glasgow City Region, said: “This first year of investment builds on established activity that is making a difference for people and businesses across the Region. The three-year programme will continue to support long-term growth across the eight local authorities, addressing skills gaps and creating opportunities for local people, helping SMEs to be more resilient and competitive, and providing space for businesses to grow and invest. We will continue to work closely with our member authorities and partners to ensure the Local Growth Fund investment delivers real benefit for communities and businesses across the Region.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Today the UK Government is releasing more than £22 million to Glasgow City Region partners who know their communities best. These funds will be crucial for delivering business support, skills and employability programmes as well as creating high-growth commercial business space and regional infrastructure projects for housing supply, land use, and town centre regeneration.
“The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country. These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start-up businesses and revive our local high streets.”
