The Glasgow City Council are elected on the principle that they work for the people of Glasgow, however, they seem to get the idea that they are the overlords of the people, and keep coming up with ideas that the people don't want. The only way to stop this is for the people to tell they council what they want and what they don't want. The latest grandiose idea from the Council is to take what is a well used public space, and turn it into another private commercial area. We need more public spaces in the city, not less, the Buchanan steps at the top of Buchanan Street is a well used meeting place, chatting place, rallying place, meditating place, sitting people watching place, and whatever. It may not have been intended for any of these purposes when it was built, but it has filled the bill in all of them and more, the people have made it so. Let's keep that space public, open and accessible to all.
The iconic steps up to the Royal Concert Hall are under threat - a private company wants to demolish them. [1] The steps are well loved, and used by people across the city, from workers on their lunch breaks to political protesters during the referendum.
Glasgow City Council could make a decision any day now - so we need to act fast. Together, we need to pressure our local councillors. If they hear from thousands of local people who want the steps to stay, they could be forced to leave them well alone.
Can you email your local councillors now, telling them to save the steps?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/steps-speak
Already over 12,000 of us have signed the petition to save the steps. [2] Many Glaswegians are outraged about the idea to remove such a well-used and well-loved landmark. [3] A huge people-powered petition, as well as hearing directly from thousands of us, could be enough to save them.
Together 38 Degrees members are protecting our public spaces - just last week a petition signed by over 5,000 of us pushed Glasgow Council to hold off on their plan to sell off Barrowland Park. [4] Let’s keep standing up for our community spaces.
Can you email your local councillors now, telling them to save the steps?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/steps-speak
Thanks for being involved,
Jen, Amy, Elizabeth, Robin & the 38 Degrees team
PS: Ben and Stephen, 38 Degrees members in Glasgow, are holding a rally on Saturday 6th December, 2pm at the Steps (top of Buchanan Street), with a line-up of musicians and speakers. Will you come along and show your support?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/glasgow-steps-event
PPS: If there’s another issue in Glasgow you care about, you can start your own campaign here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/scotland-cby
NOTES:
[1]Evening Times: Land to be snapped up for expanded Buchanan Galleries:
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/land-to-be-snapped-up-for-expanded-galleries-175657n.24989503
[2] Campaigns By You: ‘Save the Steps’ Petition:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-steps
[3] STV Glasgow: Glasgwegians hit out over plans to scrap concert hall steps:
http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/297738-call-to-save-iconic-glasgow-royal-concert-hall-steps/
[4] STV Glasgow: The Barrowland Park and Album Pathway will not move in 2015, say Glasgow City Council:
http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/301160-glasgows-barrowland-park-and-album-pathway-wont-be-moved-in-2015/
