New images of Argyle Street redesign released as part of Glasgow Avenues project

New images show how part of Glasgow’s Argyle Street could be transformed under plans to make the key thoroughfare “more attractive” to residents, visitors and investors.

Glasgow City Council is working on the Argyle Street East Avenue project, which will see the revamp of a stretch from Glasgow Cross to Central Station.

Under the scheme, pavements will be widened, new green areas developed and a new west-to-east bus route created. Work is set to begin in early 2026.

It is part of the wider £120m-plus Avenues programme under way across the city centre, which is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

Cllr Angus Millar, SNP, the council’s convener for city centre recovery and transport, said: “The Argyle Street East Avenue is about readying these famous streets for the century ahead.

“Recent decades have been tough for this part of town but we’re seeing new turnaround developments on Trongate, major retail offerings on Argyle Street and global employers investing in new headquarters just further west. That’s real confidence in our city centre.

“The Argyle Street East Avenue is about creating the conditions for more of that. But also, giving Glaswegians a greener, more attractive city centre with an international look and feel they can be proud of.”

The council has published a prior information notice to gauge interests from firms who may wish to bid for the project contract.

This project will link in with ongoing work at the western end of Argyle Street, and when completed will “help transform the look and feel of the street from the M8 to the Gallowgate”, the council has said.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “The move to significantly enhance both the functionality and appeal of a key part of Glasgow city centre is a welcomed development.

“Creating a more attractive environment for businesses, residents and visitors, while improving connectivity between our transport hubs, is essential to Glasgow’s long-term economic recovery.

“Although the Avenues programme is complex, using a combination of lessons learned from previous phases alongside continued engagement with business, it is hoped there will be limited impact on the trading environment.”

The project is set to include a new bus route through the pedestrianised section of the street, which the council has said will create much shorter journey times and better public transport connections.

It will also “create the conditions to accelerate work to create more pedestrian-priority spaces and reduce traffic” around Queen Street, Ingram Street and Candeleriggs. Engagement with the local community around these streets is planned in the coming weeks.

The council’s plans have been welcomed by some transport operators and passenger groups.

Dr George Hazel OBE, chair of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership, said they would deliver faster, more reliable journey times.

He added: “This makes public transport a more attractive and convenient option, encouraging people to make fewer car journeys which reduces congestion and contributes towards a more equitable and sustainable transportation system for all.

“It also supports the economy of the city centre improving access for workers and the retail and leisure sectors.”

Greig Mackay, director for Scotland at Bus Users UK, a charity dedicated to promoting accessible public transport, said: “A new west-to-east bus route in the city centre will help reduce journey times and increase service reliability which is good news for those who rely on public transport, and for the wider environment.

“Interventions which make journeying by bus a more viable and appealing option can attract new bus passengers and encourage existing users to travel more frequently.”