02 Oct 2025
A council project to improve the look and feel of the city centre is carrying out an average of 10 repairs per week.
The Rapid Repairs Pilot targets roads, pavements and infrastructure issues in key city centre areas and which have been identified by businesses.
Supported by a £600,000 investment, it has been in operation since January and aims to improve the city centre environment, footfall and investment.
A new report shows that in the nine months of 2025, more than 380 rapid repairs have been carried out, working out at around 10 every week.
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said the figures showed the success of the pilot scheme and urged businesses to continue to bring any issues which could benefit from a Rapid Repairs intervention to contact the council.
Targeting small-scale but high-impact issues, the project targets public areas around transport hubs and stations, and major office and retail routes.
The pilot was developed in response to recent public surveys where some businesses and members of the public identified the need to address city centre ‘look and feel’ issues.
The work being carried out through the Rapid Repairs scheme is in addition to planned council maintenance works and includes repairs or replacement of pavement slabs, street furniture, lighting and bollards, removal of stickers/flyposting and offensive graffiti, street washing, and other measures that improve key city centre routes and spaces.
Councillor Millar said: “The rapid repairs scheme is about doing just that - providing as fast a response as possible to those issues which might be small scale but can undermine the efforts of the council and businesses to improve the city centre environment.
“These new figures are really encouraging and I hope that businesses are reassured that we’re responding to the issues they raise with us. Between now and the conclusion of the pilot in early 2026, hundreds more repairs will be carried out and I’d urge businesses to keep us informed of any interventions they want to see carried out.”
He added: “Alongside projects like the £120million Avenues scheme, the redevelopment of George Square, our £7million cleansing investment and grants for businesses to improve their premises, we’re absolutely committed to improving the city centre experience.”
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “The fast paced, small-scale, targeted action being addressed by The Rapid Repairs project is essential work for improving the look and feel of the city. These early interventions have proven to be highly effective, and the team has already made a huge impact across the city centre.
“As we approach the busy festive period it is vital for Glasgow to be presented at its best and the work of the team will be critical in delivering this."
Proposals for improvements can be made by business/commercial stakeholders in the city centre - as well as council services - using the City Centre Strategy mailbox at citycentrestrategy@glasgow.gov.uk - the council will then consider the eligibility of the proposals before actioning as quickly as possible.
