THIS is the moment that the historic statues in Glasgow’s George Square were torn down and removed as part of a major revamp project.
The iconic city centre spot was fenced off back in March and April to allow the transformation project to get underway earlier this month.
4
Statues at George Square in Glasgow have been removed todayCredit: Alamy
4
The Robert Burns statue was among the first statues to be hoistedCredit: Alamy
4
It comes as a transformation project gets underwayCredit: Alamy
It is part of the local authority’s Avenues programme, which aims to make the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected.
Major plans for the area include a water feature, sheltered seating, feature lighting, play areas for children, and new raised lawns.
There will aslo be sensory gardens, new tree species in the square, and new seating to add to the remembrance benches.
As part of the works, 11 statues will be removed for conservation and restoration.
Crews began moving them today and are set to finish this part of the job tomorrow.
The statues that will be removed include Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Robert Burns, William Gladstone, Robert Peel, James Watt, Thomas Graham, Thomas Campbell, Lord Clyde, Sir John Moore, and James Oswald.
They are expected to be returned to the square sometime in 2026.
The Centotaph and the statue of Walter Scott are set to remain in place during the revamp works.
The main contract for the works has been awarded to Rainton Construction after a Glasgow City Council committee decision.
The work on the contract will begin in June, with George Square scheduled to be completed by August 2026.
First new road bridge crossing River Clyde in 20 years opens to drivers TODAY
The contract award – worth more than £20million – covers not only the George Square works, but also the creation of Avenues at North Hanover Street (between Cathedral Street and George Square); George Street (between Montrose Street and George Square); West George Street (between Nelson Mandela Place and George Square); Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place.
These works will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be completed in the Spring of 2027.
This means that the streets around George Square will also be redesigned as the eastern end of Argyle Street is reconfigured.
The renovation work is expected to cause some disruption, including road closures and pedestrian restrictions.
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: “This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square.
“The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project.
“Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.”
Meanwhile, plans for a £5.6million revamp of decaying Sauchiehall Street were rocked by a series of setbacks.
4
Works are set to start in JuneCredit: Alamy