ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO PROPOSED CHANGES AT BRIDGETON CROSS

Approximately 50 members of the local community attended a daytime public meeting on Thursday 13th November to hear of plans for improvements to Bridgeton Cross, one of the most important and recognised landmarks in Glasgow.

Clyde Gateway has identified improved public realm works worth £1.1million at Bridgeton Cross as one of its early key priorities. Residents and local shopkeepers attending the meeting at Bridgeton Community Learning Centre were given an outline of the proposals before being asked for their own views and opinions in a number of smaller discussion groups.

Audrey Carlin, Project Manager for the scheme was delighted with the turnout and with the positive reaction of those who were in attendance, and said "I know from my past experiences elsewhere in managing a proposal like this that widespread support from within the local community is essential.

"Today has demonstrated that support, and I'm particularly pleased that so many of those in attendance have subsequently volunteered to become part of a Community Stakeholder Group that will be heavily involved in the actual delivery of the work."

"I also want to make it clear that this is not the end of our efforts to involve the community in the project. There will be widespread public consulation in early 2009 after we receive the various design ideas from the architects and designers, and local residents and shopkeepers will have a big say on what will be taken forward and built in due course."

Details of the next stages of the public consulation will be made known through newsletters, leaflets and through the Clyde Gateway website. It is anticipated that the scheme will be underway in the Autumn of 2009, and work completed in early 2010.

KEY APPOINTMENT TO URC TEAM

One of the UK’s most experienced practitioners in large-scale urban regeneration is to take up a senior position at the Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company (URC).

Steve Pritchard is joining Clyde Gateway as Executive Director of Development, having spent the past 19 years working for Associated British Ports in South Wales, where, among many landmark achievements on a range of major regeneration projects, he played a significant part in securing the National Assembly for Wales as a tenant within the re-developed Cardiff Bay. He also played a key part in the procurement of the Master Plan and delivery of the Waterfront Barry scheme.

Having spent much of his career working on the regeneration of areas that had previously had to face up to social, economic and physical problems as a result of the loss of traditional industries, Steve brings immense experience, knowledge and skills to Clyde Gateway as it embarks on its own mission to renew large areas of the East End of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.

Steve said, “I have spent almost all my life transforming areas, and all of the projects I worked upon involved bringing redundant land back into productive use in partnership with the public sector and the local community. I am proud of all that I achieved in South Wales, but feel that the time is right to move on for another challenge.

“The whole concept of Clyde Gateway is enormously exciting, and without question, massive changes are going to take place, thanks in part to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the construction of new roads infrastructure. I’m thrilled to be given the chance to be part of it all, and look forward to adding my knowledge and expertise to the excellent team already in place.”

Steve’s appointment has been welcomed by all of the key personnel already involved with Clyde Gateway.

Dr Robert Crawford, the Chair of the Clyde Gateway Board said “It is hugely encouraging for us that Steve wants to be part of the aims and aspirations of Clyde Gateway. He is an individual with an outstanding track record in the physical and economic transformation of communities which speaks for itself, and I’m looking forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

Ian Manson, the Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway was among the panel who interviewed the candidates for the post, and he said “Steve has achieved a great deal over the course of his career, helping to attract millions of pounds of investment to regeneration schemes of the very highest quality. He retains a real passion for the work that he does, and he is fully committed to our concept that local people have to be put at the centre of all our efforts in the years ahead. I really do think his coming here is a coup for Clyde Gateway – he is the perfect addition to our team and I know he will deliver success.”

Steve Pritchard will take up his post in early January 2009, and he will be based in the Clyde Gateway Offices at Bridgeton Cross

HELPING HAND LETS LOCAL YOUNGSTERS REALISE AMBITIONS

Thanks to a unique partnership between the Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and the Glasgow-based construction firm City Building LLP, six youngsters from the Bridgeton, Dalmarnock and Rutherglen areas have realised their ambitions to land a four-year apprenticeship training opportunity.

Each year, more than 1500 school leavers apply to be taken on as a trades apprentice with City Building, and after a rigorous recruitment process, including an interview, around 100 are lucky enough to be given a place. Without Clyde Gateway’s intervention, funds would only have been available to take on one applicant living within the local area. However, a wholly new partnership agreement will result in an additional 12 apprenticeships being created – 8 funded by Clyde Gateway and 4 funded by City Building. The first effect of the partnership has ensured that all of the 2008 school-leavers living in the local communities who applied and qualified can be given a place immediately.

Jackie Farrell and Steven Kerr, both from Bridgeton, have been taken on as apprentice electricians. Partick Byrne and Stephen Welsh of Rutherglen, Curtis Findlay of Dalmarnock and John Malcolm of Bridgeton are now training to be joiners.

The Vice-Chair of Clyde Gateway, Cllr Chris Thompson, was delighted with the first results the new partnership.

He said, “One of the key goals for Clyde Gateway is to increase economic activity, particularly through the creation of employment opportunities for local people. It’s quite clear from the numbers who apply every year that a place on the City Building apprenticeship scheme is highly valued among young people.

“The fact that we have very quickly been able to specifically support youngsters living in our local communities across Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Parkhead, Rutherglen and Shawfield is a tremendous start, and one that I know will show local residents just how serious we are about making a difference.

“However, there are many other things Clyde Gateway would like to do to help deliver employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents, and I know there will be many more exciting announcements made in the not too distant future.

Ian Manson, the Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway, also gave a very warm welcome to the new apprentices.

He said, “The discussions with City Building have gone very well, and I’m delighted that our involvement and financial support has allowed the six youngsters to realise their ambitions of a trades apprenticeship.

Clyde Gateway has ambitious proposals and goals over the next 20 years, but this is a tremendous first step in terms of the training and employment opportunities that we are committed to delivering for local people, and I can promise that other good news on this front will be coming soon.”

CONSTRUCTION TRAINING CENTRE TO MOVE INTO DALMARNOCK

The Nuneaton Industrial Estate in Dalmarnock is shortly to get a new tenant who will bring a popular and succesful construction training facility into the area.

The Henry Boot Group is moving from its existing training centre in Shettleston into a 5,000 sq foot unit on a five-year lease. The company has already carried out an extensive fit-out programme on the unit, which will be used by building and construction trainees.

The new training centre is more than double the size of the space previously occupied in Shettleston.

NEW SOUTHCROFT PARK : HOME TO RUTHERGLEN GLENCAIRN

On Saturday 19 July 2008, New Southcroft Park was officially opened, and Rutherglen Glencairn FC returned home after an absence of almost two years.

The club had to move away from their old home, known as Southcroft Park on Glasgow Road, Rutherglen as it lies directly on the route of the M74 extension, and for the past two seasons, they have had to play their home matches outside of the town. As part of the deal to purchase the original Southcroft Park, a site, some 600 yards to the south-west, was identified as a location for a replacement ground.

New Southcroft Park is one of the best grounds in Junior Football. In addition to a new pitch, a pavilion with changing facilities, terracing on two sides, a covered enclosure and floodlighting were also constructed.

It was Clyde FC who provided Glens’ with their first match at New Southcroft Park – an apt and fitting choice of opponents given their historical connection with the area. It was an occasion that attracted some 600 spectators, with the final result being a 1-1 draw. Fittingly, the first ever goal scored at New Southcroft Park was scored by the Glens’ captain – Tony Fraser – from the penalty spot in the 26th minute. A full match report, can be found at the official Rutherglen Glencairn FC website :-

GLENS' HISTORIC DAY

A number of photographs from the match can be viewed at the Photo Gallery section of the Clyde Gateway website.

INVESTMENT BOOST FOR RUTHERGLEN STATION

Clyde Gateway is to fund two projects worth a total of £1.4m that will bring eagerly awaited access improvements to Rutherglen station.

The proposal to carry out the work emerged after consultants held a workshop at Rutherglen Town Hall in June 2008, where a range of options for environmental improvements within the town were presented. The strongest support emerged for two schemes – one on Castle Street and the other on Green Road – that would improve access to the railway station from Main Street.

Hamish McBride, the South Lanarkshire Community Representative on the Clyde Gateway Board, has given his full approval to the work, and said:-

“Rutherglen Station is hugely important to everyone living and working in the town. But with the platforms lying well below street level and accessible only by walkways and stairs, as well as the main entrance being somewhat tucked away, it is by no means the easiest place to get to.

I was pleased to learn a short while back that the railway authorities were going to install lifts, and I’m every bit as delighted with today’s decision by the Clyde Gateway Board, for this will make the station area far more attractive for everyone. It’s great news for the town and is evidence of what I’ve said before that Clyde Gateway is going to make a real difference to our community in the years ahead.”

Tenders for the project will now be taken forward by Gillespie’s, one of the UK’s largest and best-known environmental design teams. Work could then begin before the end of the year.