Laughing Stock

If I were one of the six big, internationally renowned companies who had been invited by Glasgow City Council - to submit detailed and costed proposals to transform the city's George Square - I would be really hacked off this morning.

Why?

Because only a couple of weeks ago - to a great fanfare of publicity - I'm sure I heard council leaders tell the world that this exciting project would be definitely going ahead.

And that the good people of Glasgow had only 14 days or so in which to register their views - for good or ill.

Now I never did quite understand the need for such a rush - seemed a bit peculiar to me that such a big decision had to be made in such a short space of time.

But now it appears that the whole thing was a complete waste of time and money.

Because last night I heard the council leader, Gordon Matheson - tell the world via the telly that the six exciting visions for a new George Square (one fit for the 21st century) - have all been thrown in the bin.

The council will now proceed with a more modest faceover for George Square - in time for the Commonwealth Games - and the council leader even kept a straight face as he confirmed that this more modest proposal would still cost the public purse £15 million.

I can't be the only person to find it hard to believe that it will still cost the city £15 million - for putting in place a bargain basement Plan B.

Never mind all the time, effort and no doubt money involved - in asking all the internationally renowned firms of architects to draw up their own proposals for transforming the city centre - - with covered walkways, water fountains and all manner of things.

To my mind council leaders have turned Glasgow into a laughing stock - and those responsible for the farce should make room for others - with some much needed common sense.