Civil and structural engineering firm Civic Engineers have been awarded the £1.8 million contract to help deliver the transformative ‘Avenues’ project for Glasgow City Council.

Part of the Enabling Infrastructure Integrated Public Realm (EIIPR) commission, the transformation of the ‘Avenues’ seeks to dramatically improve the quality of the city centre environment, putting people at its heart.

Focusing on seven key city-centre thoroughfares; Argyle St west, Argyle St east, St Enoch’s Square, the Underline (a pedestrian and cycle route linking Great Western Rd with the city centre), Sauchiehall Precinct, Cathedral St and North Hanover St, the aim is to improve connectivity, introduce sustainable green infrastructure through attractive streetscapes and enhancing biodiversity, protect space for cyclists and pedestrians, improve the way public transport is accommodated and transform the perceptions of the city for all those who live, work and visit.

The project is supported by the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, which has funding of £115m for Glasgow city centre projects.

Civic Engineers have been appointed to lead the multidisciplinary design team who will take the project from concept design and public consultation through to developed design stage. The company, which has studios in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and London employs over 80 people and has extensive experience of delivering award winning public realm projects, which have been proven to help transform areas.

They will be working with design practice Urban Movement and the Social Value Consultancy who will focus on being able to measure and demonstrate the social, economic, health and environmental benefits of the introduction of the scheme.

The project gets underway in November starting with Argyle St and it is planned to complete in 2022.

Founding director of Civic Engineers, Stephen O’Malley, said: “The ‘Avenues’ project is an ambitious, forward thinking initiative which will transform the streetscapes of the city centre and how those who live, work and visit Glasgow experience them. We are proud to have been appointed to lead the team delivering the project. Our considerable experience, working alongside companies such as Urban Movement and Social Value Consultancy, means we have the experience to deliver public realm improvements that bring real economic, social and environmental benefits and ultimately help to deliver a healthier city centre for Glasgow.”

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm at Glasgow City Council, said: “This project will play a key role in our plans for the further development of Glasgow city centre. The ‘Avenues’ will become an attractive feature for everyone who uses the area, whether for work, study, shopping, eating and dining, clubbing and theatre-going, or as a resident, and we look forward to working with partner organisations to deliver this project which will change the face of the city centre for the better.”

The EIIPR commission is commonly referred to as the ‘Avenues’ project due to its aspiration for both green infrastructure and avenues of trees in Glasgow city centre.