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M8 closure heralds a new phase in Sighthill regeneration

July 22 2020

M8 closure heralds a new phase in Sighthill regeneration

Glasgow's M8 motorway will be brought to a standstill on 1 August for 12 hours to allow demolition of a deteriorating footbridge north of Glasgow city centre.

The nighttime operation will take place between the hours of 22:00 and 10:00 to sever the link, which facilitates pedestrian access from Sighthill to the city centre.

The road closure will allow BAM Nuttallto position a 1,000-tonne crane on the motorway below to remove the bridge in two sections, with concrete transported off-site using HGV's.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: “This section of the M8 is one of the busiest routes on the city’s road network, so this work has been meticulously planned to keep the impact on traffic to an absolute minimum.

“The demolition is the first step in a fantastic project to deliver a stunning new pedestrian and cycle route over the M8, connecting Sighthill and neighbouring communities to the city centre. We hope that regular travellers on this route will enjoy seeing the improvements emerging as the works are continued.”

Part of a broader regeneration initiative the works will allow a new Jacobs designed 'sustainable transport corridor' which will be built through summer 2021.

The forlorn existing footbridge has fallen into a state of disrepair
The forlorn existing footbridge has fallen into a state of disrepair

8 Comments

Steppish
#1 Posted by Steppish on 22 Jul 2020 at 13:06 PM
Way to build false hope with a headline, UR
Peter
#2 Posted by Peter on 22 Jul 2020 at 20:57 PM
Gosh, what supposed to be built in Stepps, Barrhead or any given deep suburbs, is being introduced in strict city centre area. 10 minutes walk from central square. Wow, no place like Glasgow...
Fat Bloke on Tour
#3 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 22 Jul 2020 at 23:44 PM
Money to burn -- the new bridge is an ego trip and little else.

The desire for newbuilding is shocking when compared to what could have been done at the half the cost with rebuilding and renovation. Doubly so when you look at the surrounding areas that will get nothing.

Cathedrals in a desert would be the 70's way of looking at this form of regeneration -- it will probably win some awards and then regress to a more energy efficient Easterhouse.

What use is there in building new stuff if we are not going to properly look after what we have already got / pick up the litter?
Thomas Crapper
#4 Posted by Thomas Crapper on 23 Jul 2020 at 14:01 PM
"The road closure will allow BAM Nuttallto"
I thought it was some new Italian company.
Paul North
#5 Posted by Paul North on 24 Jul 2020 at 06:11 AM
My only criticism of this is that they should have future proofed it by designing a bridge that might later have light rails added to it to allow for future deification of the area
R Bennett
#6 Posted by R Bennett on 24 Jul 2020 at 12:08 PM
#5 "future deification" . What a fantastic typo! (i'm guessing)
GMan
#7 Posted by GMan on 24 Jul 2020 at 14:51 PM
Fat Man, the existing bridge is not fit for purpose, a shiny new scheme for healthy people with lots of bikes and a proposed public thorougfare but the residents of said new shiny schedme are to cross a crumbli8ng 50 year old bridge prevailent to the days of running gangs and Trainspotting. This bridge is also funded by UK Government - and if you have a waist to match your username, they're going to come after you too..
E=mc2
#8 Posted by E=mc2 on 24 Jul 2020 at 22:57 PM
Make it 300 feet wide instead of 3ft in the middle. That would be impressive

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