OPINION: East End's Time Has Come For Success

THERE is no shortage of available vacant land in the east end of Glasgow, but the problem has been no-one knew what to do with it.

Only now is the land bought up years ago by Clyde Gateway – in the anticipation it could one day be regenerated – starting to show its potential.

A combination of factors have helped, including the M74 completion which eventually came to fruition and has for decades been held as the key to unlocking investment.

The East End Regeneration Route and now the Commonwealth Games infrastructure has given fresh, and this time realistic, hope that the elusive regeneration is now becoming a reality.

What must be ensured is that businesses are not only enticed into the area but are then able to sustain themselves long term and provide the jobs the communities nearby are crying out for.

People like Ian Manson have shown the foresight and the vision to secure land that has been able to be developed when the conditions were right.

Now the programme must move into the delivery stage and bring the benefits that other areas have enjoyed while East-Enders have had to look on enviously.

With the Commonwealth Games and the investment in the area this time, the East End regeneration simply must be a success.