EXCLUSIVE: Full road closure considered on Byres Road from Great Western Road to University Avenue

Council Reviewing Tenders for Next Phase of Byres Road Revamp

EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning

Byres Road could be closed to traffic between Great Western Road and University Avenue in early 2027 as part of major public realm improvement works.

The possible closure could cause significant disruption to traffic in Glasgow’s West End.

Diversions would be in place throughout the resurfacing period.

It forms part of Phase 2 of the Byres Road upgrade, a multi-million-pound project to improve the area’s infrastructure and public space.

Glasgow City Council is currently evaluating tenders for the next phase of public realm improvements to Byres Road.

The first part of the work was begin with the University Avenue junction. That section is expected to take three months.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The council is currently evaluating tender submissions prior to the contract award for Phase 2 of the Byres Road public realm improvement works, and will provide information on the timescale for the works when the contract is awarded.”

The project is expected pause in the run-up to Christmas to minimise disruption for local businesses. During that time, work will shift to the Ashton Road car park.

John Turner, chairman of the Business Improvement District (BID), said: “This is a transformative investment for Byres Road.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure the timeline balances progress with the needs of businesses and residents.”

Speaking about potential closure of the top end of Byres Road, Mr Turner admitted he would dreading the disruption.

Earlier this month, The Splash reported that Asif Akhter, the manager of Cartridge Connect on Byres Road, says the business has suffered a steady decline since the introduction of a new cycle lane outside the shop.

The store, which has been on Byres Road for 25 years, will relocate to Shawlands next month.

And he blames the cycle lane for the business closing.

“The cycle lane has been the final nail in the coffin for us,” Mr. Akhter explained. “Before, we had up to 20 parking spaces near the junction of Byres Road and Dumbarton Road. Now, there are just two, plus a few loading bays. It’s made it impossible for people to stop and shop.”

And long-established Glasgow café owner has launched a scathing attack on recent changes to Byres Road, accusing planners of ignoring the needs of local businesses and residents.

Americo Verrecchia, pictured above left, whose family has run the University Café for four generations since it first opened in 1918, says recent redesigns of the popular West End thoroughfare have done more harm than good.

“They’ve never worked, stayed or lived here,” he said, referring to those behind the project. “They draw little pictures and think it looks pretty.

“If they’d just gone out and asked the shopkeepers and the people who work here every day, we could have told" them what’s needed.”

And he added: “They have screwed everything up.”

But Mr Turner, pictured below, expressed mixed views on the City Deal Project. While he’s not a fan of the bike lanes and feels the cycling lobby has too much influence, he concedes the area looks better overall.

He sees the project as a trade-off, accepting the lanes in exchange for much-needed pavement improvements. He pushed back against claims that Byres Road is in decline, highlighting a recent revival in the area, with new businesses opening and increased activity following University of Glasgow developments.

A new Pelican Crossing near Dalcross Street is also set to improve access for students and boost local footfall.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The reality is that the public realm improvement work at Byres Road has been a great success – the vacancy rate for business units in this part of the street is at a historic low, with the most recent rate of 6.5% comparing well to the average of 14% for UK high streets and an economic environment of high inflation and utility costs, and low consumer confidence.

“While some businesses have closed in recent years, they have been replaced (for example, Tony Macaroni is now Santa Lucia) with others expanding, such as the Little Curry House expanding into the neighbouring unit.

“It must also be said that parking numbers need to be considered in terms of footfall – there are around 7,500 people walking through this part of Byres Road every day against the 63 parking spaces (before the works began) that were in place for the 85 businesses there, so the overwhelming number of people visiting there do so on foot.

“The most recent data shows that there are over 1,000 cyclists moving through this part of Byres Road every day, with 80% using the cycle paths.

“Byres Road is also well served by public transport, with Kelvinhall generating around 2,300 daily return journeys and Hillhead approximately 6,000 return journeys.”

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