This month the Glasgow City Region Cabinet considered further significant progress in work to transform the regional economy, since the £1.13 billion City Deal was agreed with the UK and Scottish governments in August 2014.

It found that construction work under way and the three completed employment and skills projects have created thousands of new jobs, including for those furthest away from the jobs market and for young people. Three innovation and business growth projects, now up and running, are also creating jobs, supporting local businesses and have already generated over £10m in private sector investment.

All 27 high-level projects have been selected, most of which are underway and a number are already completed. In fact, by the end of this month, 15 overall projects will have been completed (Seven projects and another eight sub-projects, some quite substantial).

At the end of June 2019, over £168m has been spent on the infrastructure programme.

Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Region Cabinet chair and leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “There is a real sense of progress and momentum with the City Deal now. As we stand on the cusp of our first five-year milestone, we’re on track to delivering what we have set out to achieve; fair, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“Over 20 major and transformative infrastructure projects are either underway or due to commence; we have worked with over 20,000 unemployed citizens and already supported thousands into work; we are set to generate a permanent uplift in our Gross Value Added and leverage billions in private sector investment, with the record-breaking investment by Barclay’s on the banks of the Clyde demonstrating strong investor confidence in the City Region.

“And we have much to look forward to in the next 12 months, with a number of further milestones expected across major infrastructure projects.

“Crucially, the partnership between the eight member councils, government and the private sector continues to strengthen, allowing the Glasgow City Region to deliver on its economic potential for the benefit of all our citizens and for Scotland.”

Projects that have completed so far are Medicity, Tontine, Cathkin Relief Road, Glasgow University Imaging Centre of Excellence, Youth Gateway, Working Matters and In Work Progression.  

The completed sub-projects are Crossmill Business Park, Newton Farm Primary School, Sighthill Remediation Contract 1, Newton Park and Ride, Glenboig Link Road, Sauchiehall Avenue, Woodhead Primary School Extension, Calton Barras Action Plan: Barras Public Realm Phase 1.

The next few months are set to see further progress and developments.

In the City Deal, Europe’s first ever Smart Canal, an innovative £17m project is set to complete. New technology combined with a 250-year-old heritage asset is mitigating flood risk, enabling massive regeneration in an area previously unfit for development. The project is set to free up 110 hectares in the north of Glasgow for investment, new housing, paving the way for more than 3,000 new homes.

The contract for the iconic bridge over the M8 motorway at Sighthill is also set to be awarded, with bids currently being reviewed. (The estimated contract value set out in the latest project business case was in the region of £19m).

Construction for Greenlaw Business Centre in Newton Mearns is also complete and the facility is due to open shortly with the formal opening early next year, providing modern office accommodation and support for local SMEs.

Progress continues too in the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy which sets out collective plans for growth across the eight partner councils - with targets for jobs, skills, new homes and businesses.

The Annual Performance Report for the City Deal for the last financial year (April 2018 – March 2019) provides a detailed overview of progress and achievements in the period, governance structures, milestones and financial performance.

The Regional Economic Strategy Action Plan is under review and a refresh will be announced in early 2020.