Chute to thrill
Giant water slide plan for steep Glasgow street
PLANS to revitalise parts of Glasgow include a giant water chute in Blythswood Street.
The council is also considering covering parts of the M8 and creating green spaces across the city.
We should applaud the ambition to make the city better.
These latest proposals prove the Dear Green Place is anything but on the slide.
A GIANT water slide allowing thrill-seekers to hurtle down a city street could form part of bold plans to revitalise an area of Glasgow.
The temporary installation on Blythswood Street would attract visitors to an “otherwise dull and generic street scarcely used by pedestrians”.
The proposal has been included in draft regeneration plans for the Blythswood area. It’s the fifth of nine frameworks to be drawn up for city-centre districts.
The proposed Blythswood Street Steep Park would be an “all-weather urban playground”. The draft states: “Blythswood Street is chosen because it is spectacularly steep.”
Other cities around the world, including Bristol, have erected water slides.
Proposals also include re-opening Blythswood Square to the public to create a “great urban square” that could host small-scale music events.
Another aim is to “reduce the barrier” caused by the M8. Wider bridges with green spaces and walls blocking views of the road to “reduce the feeling of crossing a motorway” are being considered.
There are also proposals to upgrade Charing Cross and Anderston stations and enhance pedestrian and cycling routes.
Councillors are expected to back a public consultation on the plans when they meet tomorrow.