One of the UK’s worst plots of contaminated land is being transformed into a site for new jobs and investment.
The land at Shawfield beside the M74 was polluted for years by a former J&J Whites Shawfield Chemical Works that operated for almost 150 years.
The factory dumped a huge amount of hazardous chromium waste in the area leaving it unable to be built on for decades.
For the last 10 years, Clyde Gateway has been decontaminating the land and work is now well underway to create new space for industry and bring jobs to the area.
Two new units at Southcroft Road are underway adding to the Red Tree Magenta building which opened in 2018.
Together the projects have seen £20.7m invested with more land being cleaned up for future work.
As well as land the Polmadie Burn was contaminated and treatment work has been carried out on that.
Two industrial units, totalling 2,700m2 (29,000sq. ft), are being built which will be suitable for High Value Manufacturing use.
Martin McKay, Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway, took politicians from the UK and Scottish governments and stakeholders on the new site.
He said it was a: “Significant long-term challenge turning around long-term decline.
“It is one of the largest funding packed we have ever pulled together.
“We’ve been remediating this site for more than a decade. It is a long-term commitment. J&J White chemical products left contamination and it had to be made safe.”
“When we ask the local community for their priorities, they will always say jobs, long-term stable jobs.”
Clyde Gateway said industry and firms like J&J White left an unwanted legacy that has blighted the area and taken years to repair.
Martin Joyce, Clyde Gateway Executive Director of Regeneration said: “When heavy industry left the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen, it did not just leave a legacy of economic hardship – the environmental impact of these polluting industries has impacted our communities for decades as well.”
He said land the size of 400 football pitches has been brought back into use by Clyde Gateway following the demise of heavy industry.
The long-term process has created space for new housing, offices, industrial units, greenspace and community facilities.
(Image: Newsquest)
Tom Arthur Scottish Government Investment Minister, said: “The ongoing transformation of Shawfield is revolutionary for Rutherglen and its surrounding communities. This has supported hundreds of jobs by decontaminating derelict land to make way for businesses.
“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is investing £3.4 million of new funding in Shawfield, which will enable new economic opportunities for the area.”
Michael Shanks Labour MP for Rutherglen, said: “It’s hugely positive that the UK Government is investing directly in communities in Clyde Gateway, transforming derelict land to be safe whilst creating jobs, driving growth, and helping to reduce poverty.
“This work in Shawfield is yet another example of how a patient and long-term approach to delivering regeneration in partnership with other organisations across the public and private sectors is supporting thousands of jobs and bringing hundreds of acres of derelict land back into productive use.”