The largest building ever to be built in Blantyre, is almost constructed and will open its doors next month in August 2018.
We’re talking of course about the ‘University of the West of Scotland‘ new state of the art building in High Blantyre, being built at the back the Technology Park.
The arrival of a University in Blantyre heralds a massive economic boost, some estimating to be worth £443million to the local economy over the next 25 years.
Although currently closed off to the public, we were given exclusive access this week for a snoop around. It is a hugely impressive building, vast in scale and fitting for students of the 21st Century. The building is clad in black and grey, a departure from the surround brick and glass of the nearby Technology Park. The University is hidden from the main road, a planning consideration carefully made, with access only from the Hamilton Technology Park, not from Sydes Brae. It offers state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, eventual student accommodation, Students’ Union, and specialist laboratory space.
The whole endeavour has been founded on the basis of being eco-friendly. The grounds of the ‘eco-campus’ are expansive and with planting having taken place last summer, it’s already established with small trees, bushes and hedgerows decorating the campus. The University is also built upon a massive underground carpark, almost undetectable and screened by greenery.
Background
Contractors started work on the 38 acre Greenfield way back in 2016. The University exists already but was based in Hamilton near Almada Street. Students are going to move to the new University, which will have space for almost 4,000 people.
Completion of the Project
Construction work is almost at an end and students are expected to relocate from the former University building in Hamilton over to the Blantyre site in August 2018.
Benefits
This will be a real jobs boost for Blantyre and surrounding areas, not just in terms of maintenance, but in all roles required for the operation of the facility. It is yet another example of Blantyre acquiring an excellent asset to be proud of in our area (although frustratingly we’ve heard the new building being incorrectly described as being ‘in Hamilton’ repeatedly.
The Youth of Blantyre may be excited to learn that a state of the art university will be beside their homes, bringing short commutes, excellent standards of further education, extra curricular activities and a student union, all on our doorstep!
Improved Transport
The arrival of Blantyre’s very first University has also meant a rethink about public transport with a bespoke green travel plan already up and running with new excellent bus routes from Hamilton and from East Kilbride running to the Technology Park.
We’ll be covering the opening of the University next month in due course.
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