City lights project brightens up Clyde Tunnel

Dec 11 2008 By Frank Hurley

Clyde Tunnel

IT took three years for campaigners to see the light at the end of the Clyde Tunnel.

Second World War prisoners tunneling out of Colditz saw the light a lot quicker - but then our tunnel's result is a lot more attractive.

The appropriately called Holdyourbreath Organisation switched on the blue illuminations at the south portal of the tunnel on Wednesday - 50 years after the tunnel was excavated under the river Clyde.

The organisation says the achievement is the culmination of 36-months work and community consultation by artist Kathy Friend, project creative director, whose ambition was to turn the gateway into a "pocket of delight for its users."

She said: "The design team worked from the consultation ideas sent in by the public.

"The final design uses the most popular colours and the idea that when you go into the tunnel you enter another world.

"I would like to thank the people of Glasgow who supported me in this project.

"Their feedback and humour kept me going, and made this whole project a pleasure."

Tunnel light was part-funded by Glasgow City Council Lighting Strategy and was supported by Glasgow Harbour, Clyde Waterfront, Robb Ferguson, Halcrow and the SECC.

Perhaps the biggest contributions came from 4800 local residents and children who sent in their design ideas.