Launch Event

Delays in the Council's re-lining of the road tunnels have meant that no other
work has been allowed until it is completed in the summer of 2007. Even though
the Lighting Strategy Group at Glasgow City Council allocated funds towards
the HYB lighting design for the south portal last year; work could not go ahead.
Disappointingly, that money has now gone to other projects.

Still, I am not downhearted, and have got permission from GCC Land Services to hold a launch event in one of the road tunnels (it will be closed to traffic!) to celebrate the Lighting and Soundscape when they are eventually installed. (I am now aiming for February 2008)

As I have had the opportunity to walk down the road tunnels when they are closed to traffic, I am keen for other people to experience this exciting space at our launch event, you really can't appreciate it properly from a car.

The plan is to light the tunnel up 'from the inside' with various events, when the audience come back out of the tunnel, the portals will be lit up. There will be a firework display outside, with the north and south portal 'communicating' to each other across the river. I am still working on the details..... Now I just need to raise £1million for the work and events!

Whiteinch Cross

Following the success of Holdyourbreath's Open Day at Whiteinch Cross in May last year (north tunnel exit), I have been working with DRC Environment Trust and Fairplay for Whiteinch to collate all the feedback that came from the day. We have created a strategy to improve not just the Cross, but all the public spaces between the Clyde tunnel and the new Whiteinch community centre. We have chosen a landscape architect from the City Design Cooperative to work with us.

My successful application to the Scottish Community Action Research Fund (SCARF) means that we now have a mentor to help us get as many local people involved in the decision making as possible, and to keep consulting with the primary school and youth groups that contributed to the Open Day.

Our next public meeting "Creating the Plan" is on Wednesday 11 April, 2.30pm - 5.30pm at the Whiteinch Centre. All Welcome.

Visit to Stockholm tunnels

As there seems to be some resistance to putting creative lighting inside the
Clyde tunnels, I have raised funding to pay for a visit to the Sodra Lanken
tunnels in Stockholm, which have artistic lighting design in them.
I had planned to go with someone from Glasgow City Council, but that fell through.

So, am going on my own... I'm very excited - I have heard it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Stockholm is listed as one of the great waterfronts of the world (http://www.pps.org), so I am hoping to get some inspiration for the Clydewaterfront in Glasgow, which is moving from industrial to leisure use.

While I am there I will also visit the metro system, part of which is called the 'longest art gallery in Europe' because each station is designed by a different artist. I also want to see how they use their public spaces, to get some inspiration for the work I am doing with the community at the North exit of the tunnel to improve Whiteinch Cross. I will let you know how it all goes.....