Bridgeton Cross Landscape

Bridgeton Cross is one of the most historic and important parts of Glasgow.

Located only one mile east of the city centre, it is home to the A-listed Bridgeton Shelter and Clock (referred to locally as the Umbrella) and the Olympia Theatre of Varieties. It also has marvellous examples of Victorian-era tenements as well as a railway station offering fast, frequent services to the city centre and destinations west and south-east of Glasgow.

We provided just over £1m to improve Bridgeton Cross; and, following a community meeting held in late 2008, a 12-strong steering group of local representatives was established and asked to take the project forward with support from our staff and external consultants.

A three-day consultation exercise in March 2009 attracted almost 300 people, including primary school pupils, residents of all ages, local retailers and business-owners. Their feedback helped shape the final design of the new-look Cross with a new road layout, trees, landscaping, lighting, bus shelters, street furniture - and memorials to Robert Burns and local Victoria Cross recipients.

The Umbrella, originally erected in 1875, was restored to its full glory with repairs to its cast-iron columns and clock tower.

The work was carried out by Land Engineering between October 2009 and July 2010 and officially re-opened by the Lord Provost of Glasgow the following month.

The transformation has again made Bridgeton Cross a high-quality, attractive, safe area for shoppers, residents, pedestrians, public transport users and local businesses.