A £3 MILLION investment will see new sports pitches installed at primary schools across the city.

After campaigning from several schools keen to upgrade their sports facilities, funding will be given to replace outdated blaes pitches with multi-use games areas (MUGAs) across at 14 primary schools.

The investment is the first phase in a programme which will eventually see all 41 blaes pitches at city primary schools replaced.

Local councillor Allan Casey supported Alexandra Parade Primary in its bid for a new pitch, which included pupils running a petition that secured more than 1500 signatures.

He said: “As a former pupil at the school I remember regularly going home with my trainers ruined or with holes in my trousers caused by the red ash style pitch and it hasn’t changed at all in the 18 years since I left the school.

“I am extremely proud of the work the pupil council have put in to lobbying elected politicians and securing an amazing 1500 signatures on their petition.”

Pupils and parents from Holy Cross Primary in Govanhill have long campaigned for the future of their school playing field, with support from local councillor Soryia Siddique.

As we previously told, part of Holy Cross Primary School’s playground had to be closed off due to old mining works making the area unsafe.

The school’s parent council had petitioned Glasgow City Council for years to resolve the problem before bosses finally said this year the shaft would be filled in.

Dr Siddique said: "I am pleased there is now progress and potential for Holy Cross Primary School to secure funding for a pitch for the learning community and Govanhill.

"I will continue to meet with Glasgow Life, Education and parent council to achieve the parent council and learning communities aspiration for improving outdoor play for our young learners and the wider Govanhill community."

Details on when the 14 MUGAs will be available for use by pupils are still being finalised, but work will begin after the start of the new school term in August.

The schools included in the first phase are: St Mary’s in Maryhill; St Paul’s in Whiteinch; Alexandra Parade in Dennistoun; Kings Park Primary; St Alberts in Pollokshields; Sandaig Primary in Barlanark; Chirnsyde Primary in Milton; Corpus Christi Primary in Knightswood; St Marnock’s Primary in Pollok; Eastbank Primary in Shettleston; Castleton Primary in Castlemilk; St Thomas’ Primary in Riddrie; Sunnyside Primary in Craigend; and Holy Cross Primary in Govanhill.

These schools scored highest against criteria established by the Education Services and Glasgow Life.

Usually made from a synthetic surface such as artificial grass, macadam and polymeric rubber, MUGAs provide for a range of different sports including football, tennis, hockey, basketball, netball and volleyball.

Education convener Chris Cunningham said: “Physical education and school sport play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of the city’s children.

"The very nature of MUGAs means pupils will get to experience a range of sports they might not otherwise with the traditional blaes pitches.

"The next Andy Murray, or Olympic or Commonwealth gold medallist may well be about to discover their sporting passion on one of the MUGAs installed in the months ahead.

"So I’m delighted that we can make an investment in the well-being of our children, one which seeks to meet so many of our aspirations in a way pupils will enjoy.”