RED ROAD UNDERGROUND

Piece by piece, the looming, steel skinned concrete towers of Glasgow's Red Road flats are coming down. In 1971 over 4,000 people lived in blocks that soared 30 stories into the sky.
Forty years on, the scheme is dilapidated, its population depleted by about three quarters. A walk between the towers today, takes you across a desolate, lunar landscape of deserted swing-parks and crumbling shops.
Underground is the remains of a 1000 seater bingo all and nautically themed underground bar called the Brig. For years this underground complex was the heart of the Red Road community. In 2011 I gained exclusive access to photograph as Red Road Underground was opened for one final time before demolition...you can find out more at www.redroadunde...

[@DavidUKesb]

I remember 40 years ago riding on a bus with my mother through the newly reconstructed Meadows area of Nottingham with all the terrible slums pulled down. And she said that in ten years the area would be a slum again, and she was right.

[@OrbitalFrameGaming]

Man, I miss the 213 block. I lived there til I was 7 and I loved the area, even when the quicksave burned down, and the bingo flooded. I always loved the place, was a great place to grow up. It's depressing to see that my childhood playground is nothing but a pile of rubble.

[@lynseymclaren8900]

OrbitalFrameGaming am the same! It’s no the same itself no more...

[@treguard1982]

Such a shame. The buildings didn't look that badly constructed

[@thetruthwillout3347]

Me and my mate stayed here for a couple of weeks back in October 1997 whilst on a resettlement course at Richies. We were on the 20th floor in the first block which was a YMCA. On the first day we stood out on the balcony and spotted the supermarket and small shops and said we'll go there tomorrow to get some supplies. 6am my mate is banging on my door.....come and look at this....the supermarket was on fire and there was half a dozen fire engines tackling the blaze....it was completely destroyed! For the following weeks we watched the local kids looting the burnt out remains. I learnt later that the huge amount of water that the Fire Brigade poured on it flooded the underground bingo hall and bar and damaged it beyond repair. That was an interesting time in Springburn at the Red Road Flats!

[@harleytia7104]

Fantastic video, documentary, really well made. Really enjoyed watching it. Well done.

[@colinz135]

why did the immigrants complain about the living conditions when the people of Glasgow have stayed there all their lives shame on them

[@colinz135]

why did the immigrants complain about the living conditions when the people of Glasgow have stayed there all their lives shame on them

[@edism]

Your attitude is similar to those who are responsible for the deaths in Grenfell Tower. The only shame due is on those of your ilk who carry a repugnant and unchecked disdain for human life.

[@tropicaladventurevi]

@@edism Hes a typical unionist/rangers fan.

[@steventremino5623]

@@tropicaladventurevi glad someone said it.

[@garybaldy72uk]

Brilliantly done Piece of Documentary.

[@pS-eo2wi]

Lived in 33 petershill drive block in 91/92..great memories, the Brig was a good local...think landlord's name was George... I remember when an old guy who regularly got drunk collapsed and died in the toilets and it took a while before anyone realised he had died, guys just stepped over him thinking he was drunk again..RIP old guy....great and sad memories so vivid to this day..

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Stay in dykemuir st and have stayed their 90 years the oldest in the street! My nana had it then my mum & now me...love it,,..

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren my brother stays in dykemuir, over near edgefauld road end, I live near Manchester now have done for nearly 30yrs, I grew up on ryeside road until a left in 1991. I know big meiklejohn had it around mid 80s.

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Might be going down Manchester for 3 days next month, a sawcit on you tube zombie land! Gssoh

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren is it no scary enough stayin in dykemuir street lol, if you do go down hope you have a great time.

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Dykeys quit...changed but still quite

[@albee_fuqtifanno8595]

Today the Red Road flats are to be demolished,.Good riddance i say as yes during there hay day they were 1000s of happy homes but they are a total mess now..I used to visit a certain flat once a week in the early 90s..

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Albee_ Fuqtifanno name..what’s ur name..

[@gmchaggis]

Great video ... i worked at the bingo in red road back in 1983 ...

[@lynseymclaren8900]

gmchaggis a remember you working @ the bingo...

[@GlasgowGallus]

Nice to see this again Chris: was lucky enough to have a chat with you about this at your CCA show. Again, well done, sensitively handled...

[@swannmannbaggywaggy]

That was really interesting - thanks!

[@johnredpath]

Excellent posting

[@nightmarekid1986]

8.17 great shot

[@MancstaSam]

great vid enjoyed watching!

[@simoncawley7208]

I worked on the bingo Hall refurbishment can't early days on my refurbishment days ,still remember bang bang on the security doors . When we opened them there was blood everywhere nice place I grew up fast

[@simoncawley7208]

My spelling is shite

[@Retrographer]

How wonderful this montage is.... Graceful........

[@martiboy367]

Ah the memories, as a wean goin tae pick my ma up fae the bingo wae my da, an growin up goin drinkin in the brig when big meiky was the owner, an you could get just about anything yae wanted.

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Martin Mccarthy am sure it was big yoggie Hughes had it...

[@Panchohunter]

Do you remenber when rose was the owner ?

[@royan155]

another Gem from you. great work

[@lynseymclaren8900]

This was heart breaking...but in a good way MEGA MEMORIES...

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren I grew up in barmulloch, knew someone called Jackie mclaren, any relation?

[@lynseymclaren8900]

No

[@lynseymclaren8900]

A stay dykemuir st ! Stayed there for about 90 years. My gran had the house, mum & now me....love it.

[@lynseymclaren8900]

A was born in79 so a would’ve bn 10 when u left.

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren. Jeez in 79 a was leavin bar-m primary to go up to the big Albert secondary, left there 84, into the big bright world of yts jobs or the bru. Those footpaths of life we choose lol

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Martin Mccarthy Barmulloch primary’s knot even their anymore or Springburn academy...all new buildings in place now including All Saints.. even the Chapels have closed, MEGA CHANGED...

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren aye a heard a lot of the schools have gone. Barmulloch primary, broomknowes primary, st Martha’s, st bedes, knockburn primary all gone

[@lynseymclaren8900]

Martin Mccarthy listen a was talking to a JW and he told me all the chapels and churches where going to shut down years before it happend...theirs no even social work around the REDROAD EITHER..place is doomed, don’t see anybody anymore, don’t know if am getting older or shits going down..

[@martiboy367]

Lynsey Mclaren shame for the whole scheme, barmulloch and balornock. A seen the signs back in 90/91 when a left, mates gone doin hill, an decided enough wis enough, time to move on. Who knows how things would have worked out if a stayed 🤷🏼‍♂️