FINDINGS | West and City Centre Cluster
Commonwealth Promenade and West Connector As conceptual devices, Commonwealth Promenade and West Connector provide creative solutions for aspirational transformation of routes. Commonwealth Promenade utilises the existing Clyde Walkway to reinforce a link between west and east clusters via the city centre and destination bookends to Clyde Walkway at Partick in the west and Parkhead in the east.
The West Connector knits together the various VeloCity principal routes that pass through the city centre, linking with Commonwealth Avenue to mirror Glasgow’s Style Mile, or Golden ‘Z’ (comprising the principal retail streets of Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street), and terminating at the riverside at the mid point of Commonwealth Promenade. West Connector will provide a valuable link through the city centre to the West End, taking in the prime retail districts, many of the main cultural venues, principal tourist attractions and hotel areas.
The aspiration for the Commonwealth Promenade is that the quality and attractiveness of the route is consistent for its entirety. Quality varies dramatically along the route at present. There are excellent improvements to public realm at the Broomielaw and Tradeston riverside, however these are limited. Immediately to the east, the walkway passes through a neglected riverside area at Custom House Quay. There are improvements being made to the walkway at Anderston and Lancefield Quays; however, the quality here is unlikely to match the adjacent Broomielaw. VeloCity can re-imagine, repair and reconnect this route to create a vibrant, attractive and bustling riverfront.
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