01 Sep 2026
Since the last update, significant progress has been made across George Square. Construction of the south footway is now largely complete, with the exception of the area around Hanover Street. In the coming weeks, the contractor plans to move site access back to the north side to focus on completing this section. Read below to hear about the progress being made in each section.
South side of the square
Work also continues on the south carriageway, where setts are currently being laid in two locations. To facilitate site clearance works ahead of construction, the junction at Queen Street/George Square, adjacent to La Vita, has been closed. The south carriageway, including the junction, remains on programme for completion and reopening to traffic in mid-October. To support the junction closure, NRS consulted local stakeholders on access arrangements for St Vincent Place, helping to minimise disruption to deliveries and access to private car parks wherever possible.
North side of the square
On the north side of the Square, carriageway works are now complete and the road has reopened to traffic, with the final section at North Frederick Street completed and reopened last week. On the north side, the rain gardens have been replanted following damage. Information signs have also been installed within each rain garden to explain how they contribute to the Square’s surface water drainage system.
Within the square
Within the Square, good progress is being made with the installation of granite slabs on both the east and west sides. The statues have now returned and been placed on their respective plinths. Restoration works to the Sir Walter Scott Monument have been completed on the upper two-thirds of the structure. A final inspection of the lower section will take place before a concluding DOFF cleaning exercise is carried out. Work on the Cenotaph is also progressing well, with the stonework restored and realigned where necessary. It will undergo a similar cleaning process to the Sir Walter Scott Monument. Elsewhere, excavations for street lighting foundations continue, while the final lengths of ducting are being installed to support utilities across the Square.
