Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project
Revitalising the Forth and Clyde Canal
speirs locks
Preferred design is unveiled for historic Speirs Locks.
£100 million proposals will create a new and truly unique canalside location for Glasgow.
A New Vision for Speirs Locks
On The Waterfront
Plans for Canalside Unveiled
Following an intense 10 month engagement programme involving over 300 people, a preferred masterplan has now been created by the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership (GCRP) for the area around Speirs Locks which reflects both the unique setting and rich 200 year heritage of this very special waterside environment.
The £100 million project, which will be unlike any other development in the city, will see the transformation of approximately 30 acres around the canal into a place where hotels and businesses mix easily with homes and community, where children are encouraged to play in safe streets and where jobs and business opportunities will be created. And of course, the proposals will all be set around a canal brought back to life with new moorings, more boats and a year round series of activities and events.
In the preferred design proposal five and six storey green roofed ‘terraces’ sweep across the length of the site, positioned to maximise daylight and sunlight to gardens between the buildings.
A key element of the proposal is the recreation of a series of links which would allow residents and visitors to travel safely between the waterway in the north of Glasgow and the city centre once again. Safe and easy walking routes to local shops and amenities will ensure that car use is kept to a minimum.
Speirs Locks is one of the highest profile and most visible locations in Glasgow and with its elevated position the site has the potential to become a ‘Balcony for the City’. A mix of residential, commercial, leisure and canal uses would combine to make this a truly inclusive location with a unique canalside identity, to be enjoyed by local communities and visitors from across the city and beyond.
Already the presence of Scottish Opera and GAMTA (Glasgow Academy of Music Theatre Arts) have identified this place as a culturally significant location within the city and the partnership is now keen to build on the creative energy which already exists to create a culturally rich environment which will attract other high profile arts organisations to the area.
The masterplan proposal follows an extensive 10 month community engagement exercise which included 10 public meetings and involved the development of a close working relationship with local residents, businesses and school children to produce the plans.
The development will be a visual delight – a combination of art, water, landscape, views and contemporary architecture, all positioned around and responding to the setting provided by the impressive listed warehouses of Speirs Wharf. In line with this the partnership has worked hard to create a design option which incorporates distinctive energy conscious buildings which contribute to the city skyline, and with heights staggered to retain the impressive views in to and out of the site.
A landscape link is now being developed from the canal at Speirs Locks to the city centre which would allow both residents and visitors alike to sample two very different, but equally stimulating experiences, contrasting the hustle and bustle of a truly international city centre with a relaxing canalside setting where you can delight in awe inspiring views over the city skyline.
The masterplan proposal was created for the GCRP by a team made up by Make Architects, landscape designers Rankin Fraser and artists KOAN3.
The proposals for Speirs Locks form one element of The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership’s 20 year vision to revitalise 1,000 acres of the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde canal from Port Dundas to Maryhill.
Downloads
Click here to download the report on the consultation process to date.
Email your comments to info@glasgowcanal.co.uk
Past Events
The Partnership held various events during 2007 and 2008 as part of an ongoing and meaningful process of engagement with local community stakeholders. These events take place at a stage when concerns and aspirations can be addressed and taken on board.
Speirs Locks
- Community Update Event - 13th September 2007, Woodside Halls
- Designer Selection Event - 12th November 2007, Scottish Opera
- Masterplan Design Ideas - 25th March 2008, Scottish Opera Technical Centre
- Presentation of Preferred Masterplan Proposal - 19th June 2008, Scottish Opera Technical Centre
News
Speirs Locks AppointmentA New Vision for Speirs Locks
On The Waterfront
Plans for Canalside Unveiled
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Aerial View - click on the thumbnails to see the other ideas