'Poverty is our illness': North Glasgow facing challenges

In the epicentre of a long-neglected part of Glasgow sits Possilpark, ranked in 2018 as the most deprived community in the UK.

Drugs, associated crime and anti-social behaviour topped the list of concerns presented by the research.

Not much has changed since, or in fact, in the past 50 years.

That's what Brian Land said walking down Saracen Street with our reporter as part of The Herald and Glasgow Times joint investigative series, The Future of Glasgow.

We met at the Possilpark Health Centre, one of the largest recent investments in the area which he said was a positive thing for the community. 

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Possilpark Health Centre (Image: Newsquest) Derelict building, Saracen Street (Image: Newsquest)

Then, across the street, a large building with dirty boarded-up windows stopped us in our tracks.

The community councillor sighed: "This is a catastrophe. I'm 47 and I've grown up in this area. This has been like this for the past 20 years.

"This monstrosity regularly comes up in our local community council."

In the shadow of the stone structure, Saracen Street appeared colourful and bustling with locals visiting the shops.

Brian Land (Image: GT)

Saracen Street (Image: Newsquest) Bakery giant Bayne's recently moved to the area and the local BID (Business Improvement District) upgraded signs on the stores. Not one unit is empty - a sign that people care.

Mr Land remarked: "It’s a miracle that it lasted all these years. People in the community support their local shops."

We turned right, passing by beautiful homes when a large flytipping site ruins the illusion on Denmark Street.

He asked: "Why is our community coming out the front doors to see this?"

Flytipping on Denmark Street (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) This derelict private land has been cleared before but a new pile of garbage seems to appear every time. Glasgow City Council takes no responsibility for it.

As we walked down the street, another empty, beaten-down building came into view.

Mr Land explained: "It used to be sheltered housing. It's been set on fire so many times and still sits here.

"It could be here for another 30 years while there are social enterprises out there that could use it."

Across from it is the old Possil YM, which reminded him of better days: "Kenny Dalglish used to go there.

"There is a lack of sports and leisure facilities now.

"We've got eight football pitches in Cowlairs but they're planning a 900-unit housing development.

"After that, there will be no full-size football pitches in Possilpark, Ruchill, or the Canal Ward, except for Milton."

Empty building on Denmark Street (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) We continued on Bardowie Street, passing by another empty building. There is hope for this one - ng Homes recently got funding to create a social enterprise.

Possilpark Community Council hopes this will create opportunities for young people.

Arriving at Saracen Cross, we spotted yet another derelict building, with a beautiful mural on its side, clearly neglected.

It has been in this state for 30 years, it's rat-infested and empty.

Building at Saracen Cross (Image: Newsquest) Square at Saracen Cross (Image: Newsquest) We walked left towards a grass and concrete area overgrown with weeds, and littered with broken glass. Brian continued: "This is meant to be a social space.

"The council spent hundreds of thousands on it, now, it's going to waste.

"It's not maintained at all. They need to pull Glasgow City Council workers from the city centre.

"But they are putting this area on the back burner, prioritising other things."

As we started walking back south, we spotted the large housing development on the site of the old Possilpark Secondary School.

It was the last one in the Canal Ward when it closed, over 25 years ago.

Some children now need to take two buses to access education, an issue constantly raised at meetings.

Houses at the former Possilpark Secondary School site (Image: Newsquest) Mr Land said: "That's something that's missing drastically from these areas.

"With the investment now coming in for housing, the numbers are increasing in population, so, hopefully, we get a school."

But the new housing brings optimism too, that Queens Cross and ng Homes will work together here and build more playparks.

The community councillor added: "The kids deserve accessible spaces, they shouldn't be sitting in wheelchairs, watching their siblings play.

"Right now, they cannot get access because of money."

There are more plans for the area, including an ongoing consultation for cycle lanes and a £3 million refurbishment for Possilpoint Community Centre.

However, locals believe even more investment is needed to help this historically overlooked area thrive.

Mr Land summarised: "Poverty is our illness. We have been left and nobody is taking responsibility.

"The people can’t climb out of deprivation unless they get the opportunity."

Milton

Milton was built in the late 1940s and historically has been known for violence and drug misuse.

A lot has changed in the area since, but residents feel some of it has been for the worse.

We visited the Milton Rattlers, a local club supporting the elderly.

Mary Dillon moved to Milton 54 years ago. She highlighted the devastating effect the closures of St Augustine's and Colston Secondary Schools had on the community.

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Mary Dillon (Image: Robert Perry) The 77-year-old said: "I've been here for a long time, my kids went to the last secondary school in the area.

"Now, the children have to travel to get to their high school. My grandson starts next August, so he won't be able to just walk up the hill anymore.

"It's sad."

Another common complaint is the inaccessibility of public transport which seems to have become more prevalent over time.

Mrs Dillon added: "Years ago, there were lots of buses but not anymore.

"Now, you have to get a bus to the town and another to the Royal Infirmary if you have an appointment. It's the same with Stobhill.

"The bus service is shockingly terrible."

Residents also acknowledged the look of the North Glasgow area has transformed considerably - but they disagreed in what way.

Raymond Hunter, 91, is happy with the positive change. He said: "Milton was a very wild place, it was very bad. A lot of cars and car batteries were stolen, there was joyriding.

"It's a bit better. Now, we have different nationalities coming in, it's great to see.

"The environment has changed for the better, however, a lot of council houses have been knocked down and there is a terrible amount of spare ground, we could do with houses there.

"We need them."

Hugh Hunter (Image: Robert Perry) Hugh Hunter, 54, agreed that anti-social behaviour has reduced considerably.

He explained: "Not to say there isn't any trouble now, but it's night and say to what it was.

"The bad changes all come from a lack of funding. Councillors take a lot of abuse but they have not had the funds.

"I've been waiting for surgery for the best part of three years and I can't really blame anybody, it's just the way things are."

Raymond Hunter (Image: Robert Perry) Mrs Dillon, however, said she is disappointed with the upkeep of the area: "The grounds were sparkling, now, there is rubbish everywhere.

"They cleared the whole of Scaraway Street, cut back all the trees because all the rubbish was being flung in. Now, it's happening again.

"I think garden and street cleaning needs to be looked at.

"I cut through a wee path and it's full of dog foul. People just throw them away, it's terrible.

"I guess we are a different generation."

This week, the Glasgow Times and The Herald are running a joint series to celebrate Glasgow's 850th birthday. We examine the challenges the city faces and discuss potential solutions.