A SOUTH Side cycle route will be livened up with a series of high profile public art pieces.

And the project is thanks to the combined efforts of a variety of local groups - from school pupils to refugees.

Three artists have developed designs for art pieces that aim to reflect the unique cultural diversity of the local area and encourage the use of walking and cycling locally.

Organised by Govanhill Community Baths Trust (GCBT), the project is funded with cash from Sustrans Scotland as part of the construction of South City Way.

A spokeswoman said: "GBCT believes that the arts can be a conduit for community change, particularly in the delivery of regeneration projects and community integration projects.

"A wide spectrum of the community will be engaged in activity from school children, to local youth groups and refugee and migrant support groups.

"We have successfully delivered integration work through our social enterprise Rags to Riches which have proved highly popular with participants and local community members."

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The South City Way is a new cycle route running from Queen's Park to the Trongate and is currently under construction.

Artists involved in the project were tasked with taking inspiration from a community consultation.

And the aims of the scheme are diverse - from regenerating the local environment, making the area more cycle friendly, encouraging greener and cleaner streets to make the community feel welcome.

It is also hoped the public art creations will boost Victoria Road's shops, give a sense of community cohesion and pride, reduce discrimination and cut barriers to people getting involved in the arts.

Local groups Bike For Good and South Seeds are also involved in the South City Way Ideas scheme, which will see artworks sit along Victoria Road at various points.

The spokeswoman added: "This is a project which has not been attempted before in the local area - to unite a broad range of grassroots groups under one umbrella in order to bring about long term community regeneration creatively.

"The project will enhance the environment by supporting the new cycle routes in the area, encouraging cyclists to stop and support the local economy rather than just be used as a safe cycle route to the city."

Community groups and charities across south Glasgow were awarded more than £100,000 from Sustrans Scotland as part of the construction of South City Way.

The funding was from the South City Way Small Grants Fund, created to inspire communities and organisations along the 3km segregated active travel route to form new places for people to gather and mingle, new artworks and projects to encourage walking and cycling.

Projects receiving grants of up to £5000 have been put forward by a range of local groups including the Govanhill Baths, local cycling charity Bike for Good and South Seeds, who have previously developed a community croft for the area.

Other funded projects will see the creation of a new mural in the Queens’s Park Arena, development of a new public space by residents of Albert Avenue and new additions Glasgow’s rich landscape of city murals.

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Lucy Gillie, General Manager of South Seeds said: "This small fund has enabled us to run some short life projects which we hope will have a big impact, the first is to brighten up Queen’s Park Station and we already have loads of volunteers."

Soul Riders is restarting and expanding a group encouraging women to start cycling by hosting led rides, training and cycling events to inspire those who are unconfident on a bike or new to cycling.

South Seeds are seeking to tackle bike storage issues common in tenements by installing a new secure cycle locker in the local area.

Other projects include new facilities to secure bikes along the route and creation of sculptures from recycled bike components.

Phase 3 of the project is currently underway, with the construction of new cyclelanes, pocket parks and upgraded pavements along Victoria Road between Queen’s Park Station and Coplaw Street.

Phase 3 of the route is expected to be completed in early 2020.

Councillor Anna Richardson said: “At its heart the South City Way is about ensuring safer cycling between the city centre and the south side of Glasgow.

“But it is also about reinvigorating streets connected to the 3km route so that the overall area becomes as attractive as possible for walking and cycling.

“The Small Grants Fund has been a key part of this scheme as it is all about drawing upon the knowledge and energy of local groups to find ways to improve the environment in their communities.

“A huge amount of work has already gone into creating South City Way and we are now drawing closer to its completion.

“Local communities can be proud of the part they have played in developing this wonderful asset for people on the south side of Glasgow.”

For more information email ragstoriches@govanhillbaths.com