ONE of Glasgow's most deprived areas has been targeted with a 15-year redevelopment plan.

But for the people of Calton, the question is why has it taken so long to happen?

A line in a Glasgow City Council report summarises the views of locals claiming: "Calton feels like a forgotten unloved relation".

But it's an outlook which community activists and councillors plan to change after the framework for the area's redevelopment was unveiled by council.

Revealed in last night's Evening Times, the blueprint spells out the efforts needed to regenerate an area which was an industrial power-house when weavers were king.

Today the deprivation is self-evident and all the more stark when Calton is compared to its affluent neighbour, Merchant City.

Many look to the east of Glasgow to Bridgeton and Dalmarnock, which have enjoyed millions of pounds of investment through Clyde Gateway Urban Regener-ation Company and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

'Why wasn't Calton included in the Clyde Gateway boundary' is repeatedly asked by locals and some politicians.

But today councillors and the community are working together to transform the area.

Like many others, SNP councillor Alison Thewliss has spent the last few years working on the blueprint.

She said: "I'm pleased. It's an accumulation of a lot of hard work and I understand there should be some money coming from the council."

Councillor Thewliss said locals look at the major improvements made to Merchant City, as well as Bridgeton and Dalmarnock, and want investment in their area.

She believes the targets set are achievable and even clean-ups by the council have improved community life.

She added: "People are proud to say they come from Calton and I would like to see new housing and new businesses moving in.

"A Morrison's supermarket opened recently and it's made a big difference. We need more investment."

Labour councillor Yvonne Kucuk, recently elected to the city council, said: "The Calton has been forgotten and I know because I was born and bred there.

"But the Calton is the gateway to the East End. Everything to the back of it has been spruced up and everything to the front has undergone major improvements.

"We're stuck in the middle but how much does it take to clean up the streets, fix the lights and put seats on the pavements?

"Local people are more than willing to role up their sleeves and I'm sure they can deliver."

The masterplan envisages the Barras market trading seven days a week rather than just weekends.

Councillor Kucuk added: "The Barras should be on the heritage trail. Open top buses should be bringing tourists to the market. But the Calton is not simply about the Barras."

She will chair new group Action Barras Calton – ABC – which will bring together the community and stake-holders to drive forward the blueprint. She said: "It is a real opportunity to bring some much needed investment to the area."

Councillor Kucuk says the community is willing to get behind the plan to help forge a bright future.

She says: "There's a tidal wave coming. You can sense it. People won't stand by any longer. People are up for change and they don't want to be ignored any more."

The catalyst for change was Betty Cosgrove and her fellow activists at the Calton Area Association.

For three years they pleaded their case for change but were hampered by the fact there is an electoral area known as Calton Ward 9, which includes Dalmarnock, Bridgeton and Parkhead – places getting much of the investment.

Mrs Cosgrove said: "We had to make the Calton visible. It had been forgotten about for too long."

She went on: "We have no schools, no halls, no meeting place for youth clubs.

"I'm Calton born and bred and want a better quality of life for people – the same as other areas have. I'm delighted we have got to this stage after all our hard work because there is no doubt that the Calton has been overlooked while regener-ation has gone on in other areas. It's our turn."

People power has already played a part. Betty and her ladies spent two years persuading Morrison's to open a store in the area. The multi-million pound investment created much needed jobs.

But Betty wants to see more – and her vision has the backing of local landlord Thenue Housing.

Its chief executive Charlie Turner said: "Thenue Housing is strongly committed to Calton and other commun-ities across the city where we have tenants and where we continue to build homes.

"Glasgow City Council's ambitious plans are extremely welcome.

"The council shares our vision for regenerating an already vibrant East End community and these plans will undoubtedly be welcomed by local people.

IN the case of Calton we hope this long-term vision for one of the city's best known communities will have a truly transforming benefit."

The city's business community is also applauding the proposed regeneration of the area.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive Glasgow Chamber of Commerce which represents around 2000 city firms, said: "We fully support the drive to develop this part of the East End of Glasgow.

"The area is the missing link between the city centre and the tremendous work going on in the East End.

"Ideally for Glasgow we would like to see an unbroken line of investment opportunities from the SECC to the National Indoor Arena as just one legacy from the Commonwealth Games. This new vision looks close to completing that plan."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk