THE worst street in Glasgow is getting a £250,000 makeover.

Called Ground Zero by residents, Allison Street, Govanhill, is one of the most deprived in the city.

It has been called a slum by the people who live there and there has been a long-running campaign to improve the area.

Local councillor Soryia Siddique has been campaigning for help and said: "Since my election in May last year, many constituents have raised their concerns about improvement needed.

"I have raised this with development and regenerations services and land and environmental services within Glasgow City Council.

"I am delighted the council has proposed £250,000 for improvements in the area.

"Govanhill has long been named the worst street in Glasgow and it is not moving away from that reputation; it still comes up a lot in conversations with local people and that really concerns me.

"I think this money will make a particular difference and it is not just for residential properties but it is also going to make a difference to shopkeepers. It is vital something like this is done for Allison Street."

Council bosses said the improvements would include resurfacing the road and pavements and sprucing up front gardens.

People were asked for their thoughts on how the area could be boosted and gave feedback on how the streets junctions with Annette Street and Langside Road could be improved.

An audit is also being carried out on the condition of the shops between Victoria Road and Cathcart Road and owners are to be offered help to upgrade their shop fronts.

The Evening Times has previously reported that despairing residents refer to the street and the surrounding roads as 'Ground Zero'.

Some complain of slum conditions in the four streets that make up the centre of the South Side area.

Fly-tipping has been a problem for years in the area, with council officials saying littering laws are difficult to enforce.

Problems in Govanhill are heightened due to the wider issues affecting the community. Many of the area's population are only there for a short while, meaning some residents do not help to take care of closes and back courts.

The latest funding effort is one of many initiatives launched to try and resolve the area's complex problems.

Ms Siddique added: "I am really pleased at the input constituents have given to these proposals and am looking forward to seeing the results when work is finished."

Govanhill Housing Association carried out a detailed study on a typical Govanhill tenement block, surrounded by Allison Street, Langside Road, Dixon Avenue and Westmoreland Street.

The four streets make up the area described as Ground Zero by locals who see it as the epicentre of the community's social problems.

When the report was carried out in 2008, not one flat visited met the minimum tolerable standard for Scottish housing.

But money has been poured into the area and the housing association has worked hard to bring flats up to scratch with a major improvement works in Westmoreland Street.