It’s been nearly 10 years since the final tower on Red Road was hacked down but the site remains derelict, with no development at the site of the “iconic” former flats.
Martin, the chief executive of Barmulloch Community Development Company, feels the area missed out on a Commonwealth legacy (Image: Tony Nicoletti/Glasgow Live)
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A road in Glasgow remains a wasteland after the demolition of the once iconic high rises. By 2015, all of the towers were gone and not much has changed since.
The demolition of the eight 1960s tower blocks was meant to symbolise a changing Glasgow However, what has been left 10 years later couldn’t be more opposite. The site has been left unused, unloved and underdeveloped.
The site is part of Transforming Communities Glasgow, a partnership, which involves the council, Wheatley Homes and the Scottish Government, reports Glasgow Live.
However, for local community figure Martin McElroy, he believes that Wheatley has dug its heels in finally developing what has become a wasteland, attracting ant-social behaviour. It’s been 10 years since the last of the Red Road towers were demolished
Martin, the chief executive of Barmulloch Community Development Company, told Glasgow Live: “Once they stopped taking asylum seekers into the flats because they were getting demolished, the area became depopulated quite quickly.
“Right from then, GHA were talking about regenerating the area. There’s been a range of master plans, some of which have been fascinating, and have come close.
“We’re now stuck in a limbo with a site which was meant to be beautifully regenerated, is now just a derelict site that attracts anti-social behaviour.
“You’re talking about a significant site, right in the heart of the community, which has been left like a building site and fenced off.
Martin says the site has attracted anti-social behaviour and believes there has been a “growing disconnect” between Wheatley bosses and those who benefit from the housing association.
He feels a “growing frustration” regarding the lack of action in the area, and with the Commonwealth Games coming next year, feels it’s more likely the new Barlinnie will be built before the site is regenerated.
He isn’t expecting any miracles and for a brand new housing estate to be built within the next year, but he at least hopes to see a concrete plan for the site.
Martin added: “If you look in Dalmarnock, it’s been rebuilt with the athletes village and is an example of what the games did achieve. But beyond the east end, there wasn’t much of a benefit.
“The Red Road was iconic and it can be iconic again. It can be a symbol of regeneration and hope and a catalyst in the area.
“Now that the new prison is being built, it’s an opertunity to build first class housing for folk that are going to work at the prison in decent well-payed jobs.
“If you told me 15 years ago that the new Barlinnie would be built before the development at Red Road, I’d say you’d be mad.
“It’s frustrating because you can see the potential, but we just need some more action and more urgency.”
Martin says the site has attracted anti-social behaviour (Image: Tony Nicoletti/Glasgow Live)
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Chair of TC:G and Convener for Housing and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “A successful partnership approach has already delivered 157 affordable homes on the site of the former Barmulloch Primary School.
“A plan is being developed by the TC:G partners to address the technical challenges and constraints of this site and identify opportunities for creating a bright new future for Red Road and Barmulloch.
“Funding has been committed from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund to support this regeneration.”
According to Wheatley, the local delivery group will be set up in around six months’ time, with groundwork and the supporting infrastructure expected to begin on site within 18/24 months.
A Wheatley Homes spokesperson added: “We’re continuing to invest in our frontline services, with housing officers and neighbourhood teams working in the heart of our communities.
“Each housing officer supports just 250 homes – among the smallest patch sizes in the UK – giving them more time to work locally and support tenants directly. Our Customer First Centre also offers 24/7 support, every day of the year.c
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A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The regeneration of the Red Road Transformational Regeneration Area is being led by Transforming Communities Glasgow – a partnership between Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and Wheatley Homes Glasgow.
“So far 157 affordable homes have been developed on the site of the former Barmulloch Primary School as well as the clearance of the site of the former high rises at Red Road.
“The partners are continuing to work together to overcome the unique challenges to developing the site and are supporting this process through the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.
“We’re also investing £768 million this year to deliver a further 8,000 affordable homes across Scotland. This includes £115.5 million to support the delivery of more social and affordable homes in Glasgow.”