10 Must-Read Stories from The Splash That Shaped Glasgow This Year
Uncovering the Issues That Matter Most to Glaswegians: From Safety Concerns to Community Struggles
Launched in August 2024, The Splash Glasgow has quickly become a trusted source for in-depth coverage of critical community issues, including the alarming rise in e-bike and cyclist-related accidents, the surge in student housing amid a housing crisis, the anger at proposed parking permit charges, and growing concerns over public health and safety infrastructure.
Our exclusive, investigative reporting continues to uncover new angles on issues directly affecting Glaswegians, providing a platform for local voices and engaging with the community on matters that matter most.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our subscribers for their unwavering support as we shine a light on these vital matters. We are proud to present our top 10 stories of the year—thank you for being part of our journey! Your Voice. Your Glasgow.
10 EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow Residents Raise Alarm Over Dangerous E-Bike Incidents on M8 and Clydeside Expressway
Residents across Glasgow have raised alarm over the growing dangers posed by e-bikes, with many fearing accidents are waiting to happen. This has become one of the most hotly discussed topics in the city, with one of the most shocking incidents involving a resident who witnessed an e-bike exiting the M8 and driving the wrong way down the Clydeside Expressway, heading straight into oncoming traffic—fortunately, avoiding a serious crash by sheer luck.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Pedestrians in Glasgow are living in fear as e-bikes and cyclists increasingly swerve from motorways onto city roads, creating a dangerous threat to both drivers and pedestrians.
Residents have voiced urgent concerns over a series of dangerous incidents involving e-bikes and cyclists recklessly navigating off the M8 motorway and onto slip roads, and directly into the path of oncoming traffic from the Clydeside Expressway.
9. Video shows Rats Over-running Glasgow City-Centre Backcourt
Rats have long been a persistent problem in Garnethill and Charing Cross, but the situation has recently escalated to alarming levels.
The Splash first reported in August about the growing infestation, with hundreds of rats invading the area. Now, the problem has intensified, as rats have begun to emerge from the demolition of the old ABC/O2 building on Sauchiehall Street, infiltrating nearby homes and leaving residents increasingly desperate for a solution.
City-Centre residents have been left horrified after a video surfaced showing at least half a dozen rats scurrying around a back court in Sauchiehall Street.
The video, filmed by a resident from her window, captures the rodents climbing over bins and even scaling an old washing shed behind the tenement flats in Sauchiehall Street, near the Bank of China.
Audibly distressed, the woman can be heard exclaiming: “Oh no, look at it. Oh my Christ. They are climbing the walls!”
8. EXCLUSIVE: Dennistoun Community Frustrated as Whitehill Swimming Pool Nears One Year of Closure
The Splash was the first to report that Whitehill Pool has remained closed for a year due to dangerous RAAC, sparking concern in the community.
As the issue gained traction, Bailie Anthony Carroll raised questions in the council chambers, with Councillor Allan Casey warning that repairs could cost millions.
A poignant 16-minute video from Dennistoun Community Council captures the community’s heartbreak, featuring testimonials from local campaigners, councillors, and MSPs, highlighting the pool’s vital role in the area and calling for urgent action to reopen it.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Almost one year after the Whitehill Swimming Pool was closed due to the discovery of dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in its structure, the Dennistoun community is growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on repairs.
With no clear timeline for reopening, residents and the Whitehill Swimming Club fear they may need to launch another campaign to save the pool, similar to their successful efforts five years ago when it first faced closure.
7 EXCLUSIVE: Homeless Project Scotland Protest Leads to Abandoned Community Council Meeting at City Chambers
The Splash was quick to break the story, being the first to report on the Homeless Project Scotland protest and speaking directly to the demonstrators just minutes after the meeting was abandoned.
Following their recent appeal loss, Homeless Project Scotland now faces uncertainty, awaiting a decision on their planning application next year, as they prepare to be evicted from their Glassford Street premises if their proposals are rejected.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
A meeting of the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council was cancelled last night after a protest involving around 70 supporters and service users of Homeless Project Scotland (HPS).
The Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 6.30pm at Glasgow’s City Chambers, was called off when demonstrators arrived to protest a recent enforcement notice issued against the HPS night shelter on Glassford Street.
The shelter, which does not currently have formal planning permission, has provided emergency accommodation for over 8,000 people this year.
The council confirmed that it received complaints from residents and businesses in the area, raising concerns about safety and compliance.
6 EXCLUSIVE: Shawlands Arcade Revamp Delays Sparks Frustration and Calls for Clarity
This story raises more questions than it answers.
In October 2023, Glasgow City Council approved a £150 million project to build 329 build-to-rent flats on the site of Shawlands Arcade, with construction expected to begin in mid-2024 and completion by late 2026.
However, the developers have remained tight-lipped about their plans, leaving the public in the dark.
Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council has stated that a decision notice will only be issued once the developer concludes the legal agreement—raising further questions over the project’s future.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
The long-anticipated redevelopment of Shawlands Arcade has hit a major roadblock, with recent reports indicating that the project may be on indefinite hold.
Originally planned for demolition and a complete overhaul, the deteriorating state of the arcade has become a growing concern for residents and business owners, who had hoped the redevelopment would revitalise the area.
Some local representatives and community members have begun speculating about potential issues with the project’s funding, although there has been no official confirmation from the developers.
5. EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow’s 18 Bus Gates fines ranked
This was one of The Splash's first in-depth investigations. Our findings revealed that over half a million fines were issued to drivers between 2018 and 2024 for violations of bus gates. Critics argue that this is contributing to the decline in footfall in Glasgow’s city centre, while public opinion on the bus gates remains mixed.
In our report, we highlighted the 18 bus gates across Glasgow that have issued the most fines, sparking ongoing debate about the effectiveness and fairness of these measures.
EXCLUSIVE By Gary Fanning
Drivers have been hit with £33.4 million in fines for straying through Glasgow Bus Gates, The Splash can reveal.
Glasgow City Council issued 556,885 Penalty Charge Notices to drivers between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2024, averaging over 90,000 fines per year—an enforcement rate that has left drivers frustrated and questioning the clarity of bus gate signage.
Location Notices Issued June 2023 -May 2024
West George Street/Nelson Mandela Place 7590
Oswald Street 5941
Argyle Street/Jamaica Street 5304
Cathedral Street 4743
Hope Street 4673
Union Street 4380
Glassford Street 4027
Victoria Road/St Andrew's Cross 3564
West George Street/Hope Street 3395
Maryhill Road/Bilsland Drive 3193
North Hanover Street 2563
Great Western Road/Cleveden Road 2031
Dumbarton Road/Burnham Road 1708
Victoria Bridge 1620
Maryhill Road/Dalsholm Road 1295
Duke Street 1241
St Vincent Street/Elderslie Street 650
Pollokshaws Road/Queens Drive 327
4 EXCLUSIVE: Hillhead Residents Slam Byres Road Revamp as "Unsafe" and "Falling Apart"
We could have chosen any number of stories from Hillhead for our top 10, but the ongoing issues with Byres Road stood out.
Residents have voiced their frustration over the poor quality of work on the road, pavements, and cycle lanes, which they argue have become hazardous—especially for young children crossing the area.
Complaints have also mounted about the new junction at Church Street/Dumbarton Road, adding to the growing concerns that the revamp is causing more problems than it’s solving. The community is demanding better, and they want answers.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Angry residents have hit out at the ongoing revamp of Byres Road, describing it as a "mess" plagued by poor workmanship, crumbling pavements, and an "atrocious" cycle lane that many say is a danger to pedestrians.
Despite months of disruption and complaints from the local community, the works are far from complete, with the next phase not set to resume until April.
One resident hit out: “It’s amazing they plan to roll this out further given the mess they’ve already made. The standards of work are abysmal, yet they’re pushing ahead as if everything is fine.”
3. EXCLUSIVE: Residents Express Outrage Over Proposed Parking Permit Charges, LEZ Rules, and Tax Loopholes Benefiting Landlords and Students
This has been one of the most talked-about issues across Glasgow in recent months.
There is strong opposition against the proposed parking permit charges, but many residents feel that their voices will be ignored when the council announces its consultation findings which is expected early in the new year.
Many are concerned that higher permit costs will burden them while others are leaving their cars parked in residential areas—either for work or to attend events like concerts—with little consequence, as parking wardens are rarely seen issuing fines.
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Passionate debates over parking permit charges, Low Emission Zone (LEZ) policies, and fairness in local taxation dominated the latest Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council meeting.
With an elected councillor present for the first time in a couple of months, residents seized the chance to voice their frustrations—and their anger was palpable.
Residents expressed frustration over daily parking congestion, blaming stricter LEZ rules that push drivers to park in surrounding neighbourhoods before continuing into the city on foot or by bus.
“It’s just not fair. We’re being hit from all sides,” one resident said.
2 EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow's Student Housing Boom: A Special Investigation By The Splash
I spent my summer months digging into one of the most contentious issues in Glasgow—the explosive growth of purpose-built student accommodation.
It was a challenging investigation, as week after week, there were new developments or approvals, making it difficult to keep up with the figures . This surge in student housing is creating tension in areas like Merchant City, Trongate, Broomielaw, Blythswood, Garnethill, Yorkhill, and Kelvingrove, where residents feel the council is prioritising developers over local needs.
Many worry that the area is becoming oversaturated with student accommodation, especially in concentrated neighbourhoods like Trongate.
However, our investigation reveals that once all the projects are completed, there will likely be enough student housing to meet demand—but the question remains: at what cost to the community?
The Splash today uncovers a dramatic surge in student housing in Glasgow, with up to 10,000 new beds planned, pushing the city towards 40,000 student units—just months after the council declared a housing emergency.
While these developments aim to ease student shortages, locals accuse the council of favouring developers over community needs.
Currently, 10,238 beds are pending approval, with 6229 approved in the last three years. From 2014 to 2024, the council approved 90 student accommodation applications, some of which may be duplicates.
Glasgow now hosts over 20,500 Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) beds, concentrated in the city centre and west end. Add in pending and approved developments, and the total student bed count hits 36,565.
1. EXCLUSIVE: We're Being Pushed Out: Residents Say Noise, Crowds, and Student Influx are Destroying Their Community
This story quickly became a favourite, as it strongly resonated with many Glaswegians.
It’s clear that the changes in Finnieston have struck a chord with residents.
What was once a quiet, residential area is now overwhelmed by an influx of transient visitors.
Locals are frustrated by constant noise, overflowing rubbish, overcrowding, and the growing struggle to find parking as visitors take up spaces meant for residents.
It’s a situation that’s left many feeling like they no longer belong in the neighbourhood they once called home.
This story serves as a reminder to decision-makers that they must start listening and engaging with the community to address these concerns effectively—or will residents be ignored and pushed out of their own neighbourhoods?
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
At a recent Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council meeting, some long-term residents voiced their anger and frustration, feeling that they are being driven out of their own neighbourhood by noise, overcrowding, and the unchecked expansion of the so-called “Finnieston Strip.”
Once a quiet neighbourhood, the area now bustles with pubs, restaurants, and crowds of students, tourists, and concert-goers attending events at the Oval Hydro and SWG3.
One resident of over 30 years painted a grim picture: “The street has exploded with transient people.”
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