A WIDE range of work will be carried out in the world famous Barras area in time for the Commonwealth Games.

The multi-million pound Calton Barras Action Plan has been designed with the aim of regenerating both the market and the surrounding area.

It takes in key routes to the venues hosting the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the World Gymnastic Championships in 2015 and the massive regen-eration being carried out by Clyde Gateway across the East End.

Action plan projects include creating a new public space on what is now a vacant site at Gallowgate, Moir Street and London Road.

A £620,000 project will involve cleaning up the land to make it more attractive to developers in future and creating an attractive gateway to the wider East End.

Public realm work costing £180,000 will be carried out in London Road, £210,000 will be spent improving the junction of London Road and Greendykes Street, and vacant spaces on the way to the Games will be tidied up at a cost of £205,000.

It is also planned to spend around £275,000 on a scheme to increase the number of firms at the Barras.

A report, which will go before members of Glasgow City Council this week, states: "There is a significant amount of vacant floor space, including upper floors, in the Barras area which could be brought back into viable use to meet the growing demand for workshop space.

"It is proposed to provide grant funding for the refurbishment of vacant and under-used premises to encourage a greater diversity of uses in the Barras and support new businesses, particularly in the creative and craft industries."

A project team has commissioned a survey of shop fronts in the area and £539,500 has been set aside to allow owners to upgrade their premises. A further £70,000 will be available for community- led environmental improvements.

On Thursday, councillors are expected to approve funding of almost £1.9million for their share of the work.

Liz Cameron, the council's jobs and the economy spokeswoman, said: "The Calton Barras Action Plan is an exciting project that will bring much-needed investment and the decision on Thursday will mark the next stage in its regeneration.

"Some of the projects that will be delivered before the Games will make a real difference to Calton and The Barras with the promise of more to follow."

The second phase of the regeneration sche-me will involve more complex projects such as the development of vacant land and buildings.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk