Sauchiehall Street is a place I first heard of via my elder brother during his time studying at Strathclyde University. He would often talk about this street with its wonderfully evocative name. I suspect that after the completion of the work to deliver the first of the ‘Avenues’ projects he might struggle to recognise the street such has been the transformation.

Gone is the car dominated street with its wide expanses of tarmac, replaced by broader footways, dedicated cycle-ways, seating areas nestling amongst newly planted trees. No wonder the whole area is experiencing an uplift: walking down the street in the company of Ciaran Buchanan who has led the work it was clear to see the difference that we can make to our communities and the lives of those who live, work and play there.

Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

What was also clear was the extent to which the project team has had to push the boundaries to achieve this impressive transformation. Design guides are just that – guides. Too often guidance can end up inadvertently constraining our ability to develop and deliver ideas that are transformational. ‘The Avenues’ project is an example of our profession at its very best. A clear focus on the outcome being sought used to act as a driver for change enabled by the use of technical skills, experience and a little bit of inspiration to create a better place. For me this is an outstanding example of the importance of not just what we do, but how we do it.

Moving on to the works at Glasgow Queen Street I was shown yet another example of transformation in action. For many years this gateway to a significant part of Scotland’s rail network has been hidden behind a 1970s era concrete office block: if you were a visitor to Glasgow you would have struggled to find the station so well hidden was it.

Queen Street Station with Kelvin Clarke, CIHT Scotland Chair 

Fast forward to the present and what I saw was a shining example of how we can improve the offer to the user. Access to the completed station will be through a glass-walled frontage that looks out onto George Square – one of the centre pieces of Glasgow. The frontage itself allows natural light to flood into the passenger area where the additional space being created accommodates ever growing numbers as well as providing enhanced facilities. And the extension has been designed in such a way as to enable the user to catch a glimpse of the outside of the Victorian train shed that for too long was hidden from view. As Steve Bruce of Network Rail took me around the station it was clear that Network Rail and their contractors are delivering a first class scheme. Doing so in a way that has allowed services to be maintained throughout makes the final outcome all the more impressive.

Queen Street exterior

And so on to the evening dinner: an opportunity to celebrate not only what I had seen during the day but the work of CIHT members throughout Scotland. It was a wonderful evening, and an opportunity to re-new old friendships as well as meeting some of the next generation. It was a particular delight for me to be asked to help with the presentation of awards for Young Professional and Apprentice of the year, as well as the Tom Riddell prize to students.

A final personal thank you to Kelvin Clarke and Nicola Blaney who made my visit so memorable by organising the day’s events: your time and support throughout the day was so very much appreciated.