Red Road resident’s redevelopment deadlines unclear leaving them in limbo over transfers and improved quality of life. The tower blocks, occupied by the poorest of Glasgow’s population, which includes asylum seekers and refugees from a wide range of nationalities making up 40% of the local community using the flats, are in a recognised state of dilapidation.

 

When the blocks were first constructed in the early1960’s they were built out of necessity to ease the increased population of Glasgow embracing metal and concrete to cut costs and build quickly. The new homes were a welcome relief for the City housing supply and the new residents moving into their new flats. It did not take too long however to discover the drawbacks of using low cost materials and packed living design with damp and insecurity reducing the quality of life in the area.

 

Post-industrial decline reduced employment prospects for thousands of people in Glasgow with destructive cuts in shipping and manufacturing. A large percentage of the redundant labour forces came from estates like Red Road producing a profound negative impact on the community and over time the area itself with little investment and sparse amenities.

 

Some redevelopment has taken place in the area though not nearly enough to deliver for the whole community. Recent estimates predict the demolition and housing transfer programme will go beyond the 2014 games in Glasgow, depressing news for residents and for Glasgow. Ian Knight (pictured), (68) was born and brought up in Springburn. Recently forced to move to Red Road because vandals had set fire to his home he is extremely upset over the circumstances. He is here on a temporary basis but the experience has made life a vulnerable and depressing experience for him.

 

At the very beginning of the towers history, Ian was there in 1962 delivering the steel. ‘When the flats were finished people felt proud of their new area and there was a strong community spirit but as time passed with huge job losses at the shipyards unemployment took hold of the area, with this came poverty and a cloud fell over the community involving drugs, alcohol, and crime. This is now one of the worst areas to live in Glasgow and has been for years.’

 

Thomas Burns from Robroyston a taxi driver for 10 years in Springburn stated that. “It will make the area a lot better if the towers are replaced with new homes. It will also encourage more people to move back here because many people have moved out from here because of the depravation and insecurity.” A vital service based in the flats, Red Road Women’s Centre, which has been there since 1995 tells another story about the resilience and determination of the local community.

 

They provide help and advice on finance and debt, health, education, training and safety. Linda Fraser Project Co-ordinator for the centre said, ‘When we first set up here there were a lot of new refugees and asylums seekers we had to learn about all these different cultures which was rewarding while at the same time challenging we had to present our way of life while respecting the traditions and cultures of multi-nationalities. The people of this area are angry over bad housing and the poor quality of life and are desperate to have new and better homes. Despite this, there is a strong will to make the best of it.

 

People help each other work hard to keep what they have and try each day to make the best of a bad situation ’ David Fletcher, Head of Regeneration for GHA said: “This project is much more than just building and demolishing homes - it is about the transformation and regeneration of an entire community and the provision of better homes and quality of life for local people.”Richie Carroll, Community Housing Manager of Red Road Balornock Local Housing Organisation (LHO) who manages the properties in the area on behalf of GHA said: “While I appreciate it may be frustrating for individuals in terms of timescales it is important that we continue consulting with the local community to ensure we get it right.

 

While there is clearly dissatisfac tion with the multi-storey blocks and a desire for demolition, there is still great satisfaction for the area and for the properties right next to the multi-storey blocks. In a recent tenant satisfaction survey, 79% of people stated that they wish to remain within our LHO and remain part of the wider community. That’s why we are progressing with plans for demolition of the eight multi-storey blocks and £25 million investment in new build.”

 

Once the new build is allocated over the coming weeks, only around 200 tenants will still need to be allocated a house. The 8 buildings are planned for demolition, however because they are constructed from steel frames and concrete block this will demolition may require that the buildings be de-constructed or de-built. Procurement for the contracts for demolition which could take up to seven years from start to finish though a note of caution may be required given the shift in confidence and commitment from the construction industry.

 

GHA recognises the benefits of good quality design and the impact it can have on residents’ quality of life. Accordingly, they have agreed with the local communities that there will be a mix of houses, townhouses and flats at the three sites. They are also aware that the quality of the external environment - gardens, footpaths, common areas etc - is as important to the sustainability of communities as new homes, and this will therefore be a key principle of the GHA developments.