Plans for £2.5m water feature in George Square abandoned due to budget gap

A £20 million deal to transform George Square and turn surrounding streets into avenues has been signed off as a £2.5 million water feature is dumped due to budget constraints.

New designs show West George Street and Cochrane Street adjoining the square re-invented as avenues with far more pavement space and new trees and plants.

A meeting heard there was no spare cash to pay for a planned water feature in George Square and that it would pose a risk to the contract but one councillor said it would not ease people’s “disappointment.”

Asking how much a water feature would cost, Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutcheson said: “There has been press attention about the exclusion of the water feature in recent days. I understand there is a tight budget for this. I can see there is a £1.5 million gap in the budget.”

An official said: “We estimated a water feature would cost around £2.5 million in capital expenditure notwithstanding the ongoing recurring revenue costs.

“Because we knew it was a significant cost we excluded it.”

He pointed out ”clearly there isn’t a spare £2.5 million.”

Speaking at the contracts and property committee, he added: “The introduction of a water feature presented a significant level of risk to the contract because of the underground nature and all the stuff you need to do.”

He said the main reason for abandoning the plan was due to the “financial deficit in the budget” but there was also a significant risk.

Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutchison said: “I understand there is sound logic but I don’t think it will help the disappointment that people will feel but yeah there is only so much you can do. Thankfully in Glasgow it rains half the time so you get a water feature from the sky anyway.”

Councillors awarded the £20.499 million contract to Rainton Construction with work to begin in June. The square is expected to be finished by August 2026.

Hoardings are currently up as preparations are underway and the 11 statues are to be removed for restoration later this month.

As well as covering the George Square works, the contract will also see the creation of avenues at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place.

Plans for the square include informal ‘play’ areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas, a raised lawn platform, new feature lighting and seating to add to the remembrance benches and high-quality stone throughout according to the council.

New trees will also be planted.

The western part of the square will have a more informal design for people to use with space for cafés to spill out on to, and a paved area for events.

The Avenues programme is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with funding provided by the Scottish and UK Governments, and Glasgow City Council.

Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: “This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project.

“Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw.

“Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.”