Over the first quarter of this year, we expect to see progress on a number of key projects on our £1 billion campus development programme.

This month, in accordance with consented planning approvals, we have begun work to remove a number of trees including from University Place, Dumbarton Way, Dumbarton Road and the interface with Kelvingrove Park.

This will allow for the creation of the new public realm and landscaping which includes a new pedestrian route from the Kelvin Hall and Kelvingrove Museum into the heart of our campus, and will link Byres Road directly with Dumbarton Road.

Campus plan overhead

Creating a welcoming and attractive environment is at the core of our vision for the new campus, and the landscaping will reflect this. Feedback gathered through extensive public engagement over the last few years highlighted the importance of high quality landscaping and the desire to see new greenspace. 

Our landscaping vision wa‌s granted final planning consent in 2018 and will deliver significant new public outdoor spaces including a formal civic square, tree lined streets and rain gardens which feature biodiverse plant species. The forthcoming tree removal activities are vital for the delivery of key infrastructure and access for the Western site, and to compensate, over the course of the project we will plant more than twice as many trees as we remove.

Later in this quarter we will also be starting work on changes to University Avenue, creating two new ‘super-crossings’ which will enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

University Avenue/University Place design

The crossings will be located outside the new James McCune Smith Learning Hub and the University’s Main Gate, and will better accommodate the high pedestrian movements these areas receive.

To allow for this work to happen, we do expect some further temporary traffic restrictions to be introduced on University Avenue in March. We are committed to keeping any disruption to a minimum over this period and we are working alongside Glasgow City Council to identify a preferred method of traffic management.

We will continue to keep you updated in this regard.

From the beginning of February this year, ownership of University Place will move to the University, and major infrastructure and realignment works will commence in this areas. This will mean that there will be no longer be vehicle access to University Place from University Avenue, with vehicles only able to enter via Byres Road. Moreover, please note that access will only be for University car park permit holders, residents and deliveries. All public parking from University Place will be removed.

First published: 9 January 2019

<< Campus updates