Council Leader marks 10 years of Glasgow City Region City Deal

Published 07 October 2024

West Dunbartonshire Council Leader, Councillor Martin Rooney celebrated the progress of infrastructure, employability and innovation projects brought about through the Glasgow City Region City Deal during an anniversary event last week.

He joined leaders of Councils across the Glasgow City Region alongside representatives from the UK and Scottish Governments to reflect on 10 years of the Glasgow City Region City Deal and what has been achieved through the £1.13billion of funding.

The local City Deal project will see the former Exxon site at Bowling transformed into a mixed-use development with storage, distribution, industrial, business and office space.

The project will also include a number of road improvements connecting to the site, including the addition of a 1.95km relief road through West Dunbartonshire.

Of the 150 acre site, 47 acres is planned for development, with green network and green infrastructure enhancements including a waterfront pedestrian and cycle path being proposed.

In addition, a heritage area has been identified around listed structure Dunglass Castle.

The project is expected to provide up to 980 full time jobs as well as an additional 660 jobs during the construction stage.

Speaking after the event, held at the Renfrew Bridge, Councillor Rooney said: "It was great to join with the other Council leaders from throughout the Glasgow City Region to mark this important milestone and recognise the level of investment made over the last decade.

"Work is progressing on the former Exxon site at Bowling. The joint project between West Dunbartonshire Council and Glasgow City Region will improve infrastructure within West Dunbartonshire and unlock the potential of a disused industrial site to attract new development and future investment to the area."

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: "The Glasgow City Region Deal has been instrumental to unlocking millions of pounds worth of investment in Greater Glasgow. This has delivered new jobs, businesses and transport projects to build prosperity across the region. We are working closely with partners to maximise the benefits of regional working."

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: "Economic growth is one of the key missions of the UK Government and the thriving projects in Glasgow City Region are helping to achieve that. The way has been paved for new housing and commercial developments, investment in technology has resulted in state-of-the-art medical research facilities, and improved connectivity is removing barriers to work.

"It's encouraging to see the amount of private investment generated that will continue to benefit the people of the wider Glasgow area and beyond."

Signed in 2014, Glasgow's Deal provides £500 million each from the UK and Scottish governments for a range of infrastructure, employability and innovation projects with the eight local councils contributing a further £130million.

City Deal employability programmes have supported almost 14,000 people into work and the Region's City Deal is estimated to have attracted over £880 million worth of follow-on investment since 2014 for new housing and commercial development already completed or underway.

A further £65million of additional external funding has also been generated from other organisations and agencies for City Deal projects in the ten-year period.

Over £150million of City Deal contracts have been won so far by businesses in the region and 330 employment opportunities such as apprenticeships have been secured for local people and young people.

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