Looking east beyond Springburn Station, the looming tower blocks of the Red Road flats can be seen. Designed in 1962 by Sam Bunton & Associates, they were intended to be a fast and cost effective solution to the problem of overcrowding. The scheme consists of two slabs of 26 and 28 storeys, four point blocks and two tower blocks of 31 storeys. The latter were at the time the tallest blocks in Europe and first to be built in Glasgow using steel frame construction.
The height and lack of amenities led to problems, especially for young families, so the tower blocks were sold off for executive and student use and for the YMCA. Now refugees and asylum seekers form a significant proportion of the tenements housed in the flats. |
