Popular Clyde riverside woodland park to be expanded
A new woodland park created on the site of a former mine and rubbish dump on the banks of the River Clyde is to be extended, thanks to a £2.3 million funding boost.
The 15-hectare park at Cuningar Loop, near Dalmarnock, features Scotland’s first outdoor bouldering site for rock climbers, riverside boardwalks, a bike track, a playpark, outdoor exercise equipment, public art installations, a cafe and a common green area for picnicking and staging events.
The area had previously been used as a quarry, an illegal mine and for landfill.
But a £5.7m transformation through the Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s biggest and most ambitious regeneration programme, saw extensive works carried out to decontaminate and restore the land and create the park.
The latest part of the project will see a further 8.5 hectares of vacant and derelict land that has been unused for 50 years reclaimed and turned into accessible green space.
Nearly 140,000 people used the park, in its first full year of operation. The cash comes from the Clyde Mission, which is led by the Scottish Government.
Last year the Clyde Mission Fund provided more than £11m of funding for projects that will create jobs and benefit communities along the river. The organisation is now also seeking ideas from local people and businesses on how the river’s economic, social and environmental potential can be maximised while simultaneously tackling risks such as flooding.
Scottish economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s our goal to make the river an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth for Glasgow, the region and Scotland.
“We want to understand the priorities and ambitions of people and organisations connected to the river.
“Whether you live or work in the area, this is your opportunity to influence the Clyde Mission’s development and future plans.
“The river presents challenges as well as opportunities and we want to hear ideas on themes including jobs, skills and how best to bring land back into productive use through projects like the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park, which benefits communities and the environment.”
Ian Manson, chief executive of the Clyde Gateway, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clyde Mission's funding to unlock this next stage of investment.
“Cuningar Loop Woodland Park has been a focal point for Clyde Gateway, and as well as providing an immediate jobs boost in terms of construction it will help address issues of health inequality, educational attainment and social capital which have been further impacted by Covid-19.”
Cuningar Loop Woodland Park is located in Rutherglen, across the river from the Athletes' Village created at Dalmarnock for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Clyde Mission focuses on using the land immediately adjacent to the river as a national strategic asset and follows the Clyde from its origins in the Lowther hills through to the Firth of Clyde between Gourock and Dunoon.
Three men have been arrested and charged after reportedly travelling at speeds of up to 123mph on a main road in Argyll.
Officers caught the drivers on the A83 at Glen Kinglass, Cairndow on Saturday.
A 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with road traffic offences after being caught reportedly driving at 122mph in a BMW X5 at about 3.45pm.
That same afternoon at about 5.15pm officers stopped a BMW 6 series and a Mini Cooper that were travelling at speeds up to 123mph on the same road.
Both male drivers, aged 23 and 52 years were charged in connection with road traffic offences after being pulled over.
Inspector Archie Mcguire said: “Driving at such excessive speeds shows an utter disregard for the safety of everyone else on the road. Such reckless behaviour is a contributing factor in many serious and fatal road crashes.”