A decade into Glasgow’s £250m regeneration project, folk face limited transport, no shop and no post box
Sighthill residents feel 'trapped' in a community still lacking basic services, says Councillor Anthony Carroll
By Sarah Hilley, Local Democracy Reporter
A new housing estate in Glasgow is still an 'island' with no shop, post box or frequent bus service according to a councillor.
Sighthill in the north of the city is eventually expected to have 1000 newly built homes, after high rise flats were demolished more than a decade ago.
The £250 million Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) is the biggest project of its type in the UK outside of London.
There are plans in the future for a shop - but one local councillor wants to see some facilities added sooner as some people living there feel cut off.
Walking around the streets near St Rollox Church, Scottish Greens councillor Anthony Carroll said: “It is essentially an island. Folk feel a bit trapped. There is a lack of transport and amenities with no shop or post box. It has been a decade since the project started. They don't have the facilities they need as a community.”
Councillor Anthony Carroll said older people are hesitant to cross Springburn Road to Tesco, which he described as “essentially an expressway.”
He said: “A lot of folk are put off going. It can feel intimidating due to the traffic. Some people might not make it across with the pedestrian lights in time.”
The Dennistoun local politician has also been trying to get the 88 bus to be rerouted to call into Sighthill. A bus used to drive into the area on the way to the city centre but now this is a limited SPT service up until 2pm Monday to Friday.
Commenting on the 88 being introduced to Fountainwell Road again, he said: “It would really help the community to have the connection.”
He has also been trying to get a post box added by Royal Mail as it would be useful “especially for the older generation.”
Features in the neighbourhood include a new church, community campus school and a bridge over the M8 with some new housing already occupied and a number of older flats still remaining.
One idea is for a community pantry offering food essentials to open while people wait for building on commercial units to start.
A positive in the area is the pharmacy and councillor Carroll said there are hopes the KATS community centre could reopen through the council programme People Make Glasgow Communities.
Councillor Carroll added: "Sighthill still has a community spirit but it needs amenities to thrive.
“The housing that has been built is quite good. A lot of people are happy they are not living in high rises today but there is a lack of pace in getting it built.”
Referring to the vacant land earmarked for housing, he said: “This has been empty for at least a decade. There is no sense of urgency to deliver the homes to replace those knocked down.”
The private homes for the estate along with a retail unit and commercial development are being delivered through a development agreement between Keepmoat Homes and Glasgow City Council. Mid market rent homes are being let and managed by GHA's partners in Wheatley Group - Lowther Homes.
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