Argyle & Bute

Active Travel Strategy Consultation

Argyll and Bute Council says:
“The council is developing an active travel strategy, to help attract funding for improving transport connections in the area, a priority for communities, council and partners in Argyll and Bute. Our population is spread out across a large rural area, which makes large-scale transport solutions challenging. However, with some of the shortest commute distances in Scotland *—this presents a great opportunity to develop active travel (walking, cycling, wheeling).”
*2022 Census

The ATS covers vision, opportunities/challenges, etc. as well as infrastructure priorities and doing network plans. The latter would be for towns/islands over 3,000 people, including popular destinations like Helensburgh and Oban.

Links: Active Travel Strategy article, draft ATS document and ATS survey.
Deadline: Thurs, 9 April 2026.

East Renfrewshire

Barrhead Masterplan Consent Area

East Ren Council says:
“Over the past 18 months, ERC has undertaken an extensive public consultation process, reaching over 3000 Barrhead residents, to develop a 2050 Vision and Masterplan for Barrhead, known as Brighter Barrhead. The Brighter Barrhead Masterplan looks at the whole town, from the town centre to new development areas, including sites that could be better used. These cover streets, housing, parks, education, health, skills, and jobs. By bringing these together, the Masterplan seeks to guide and co-ordinate investment and development.”

The most interesting part for active travel is the Green Loop orbital route. Consultation events have passed so this one may close soon.

Links: Barrhead MCA article, Barrhead MCA Guidance, Barrhead MCA map, Barrhead MCA feedback form.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Glasgow City

Connecting Greater Govan – Route 1: Govan Road to Pollok Country Park

Glasgow City Council call this route Govan-Partick Bridge to Pollok Park but it starts to the east of Water Row on Govan Road. On Orkney St and Broomloan Rd it is fairly direct, via Ibrox and Bellahouston Park, down to Drumbreck Rd just before the M77 (2.7km total). The route skirts past residential areas and shopping streets but still serves some major destinations in a car-dominated area (which includes Ibrox Primary School’s Bike Bus). Proposed new junctions at busy Paisley Road West and removing the Edmiston Dr roundabout would be a boost to active travel and road safety. Online reaction was split and local businesses have been vocal critics of cycle lanes so it could do with a good response in the consultation. This route needs to stick if more are to follow (including Route 2 towards Queen Elizabeth University Hospital). Consultation events have passed.

Links: Route 1 article, Route 1 Storymap and Route 1 survey.
Deadline: 30 March 2026.

People First Zone (PFZ) – Phase 1

GCC have talked about a ‘People First Zone’ since the City Centre Transport Plan consultation in 2022. This Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) focuses around the Queen St/Ingram St junction, which has some of the highest footfall in the city centre. There are extended pavements plus decking and planters on Queen St and Ingram St (similar to those at St Vincent Place). The t-junction would get a ‘raised crossing’ (level with pavement) to try to slow down motor traffic. Also, a bus gate from 7am–7pm (to let buses through but not cars). Works have already started. Previous ETROs (for Spaces for People bike lanes) lasted 18 months. The PFZ area between Queen St and Candleriggs (Merchant City) will be monitored from April onwards.

Links: PFZ article, PFZ StoryMap, PFZ circulation plan and PFZ survey.
Deadline: 19 April 2026.

North Lanarkshire

Stepps to Condorrat: Strategic Network Route 6

Early consultation about route options between Stepps (at the Glasgow boundary near Hogganfield Loch) and Condorrat (Cumbernauld). Phases 1–3 go along the A80, in NLC’s ‘Northern corridor’ area, via Chryston and Moodiesburn. There’s a two-pronged approach into Condorrat/Cumbernauld. Phase 4 along Main Rd sounds like it may be some kind of compromise to preserve car parking. Phase 5 would upgrade existing footpaths along Mollins Rd/Westfield Road. In line with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy these tend to be shared path/widened pavement routes (see:  Live & Constructed Active Travel Routes page – MS Sway). However, the consultation’s main visual shows a path divided between walking and cycling (see image at top of this page). It also seems to be alongside a single carriageway road. If so, and there’s enough support for it, that would be a big change from the current A80 dual carriageway.

Links: Active Travel Live Projects page, SNR6 StoryMap and survey.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

South Lanarkshire

Clydesdale Way

South Lanarkshire Council say:
“The £7 million Clydesdale Way project focuses on the rural path and cycling network to address the gaps in the regional paths network linking to John Buchan Way, Southern Upland Way and Clyde Walkway. It aims to establish active travel links between local communities and create investment in infrastructure to develop tourism in the area. It is part of a larger active tourism project worth £22 million, funded by Levelling Up Fund…”

The map of potential phases shows near complete routes apart from gaps around Lanark and south of Symmington. If the whole route corridors were completed it would be transformative for active travel between Douglas, Lanark, Biggar and smaller villages towards Dumfries and Galloway.

Links: Clydesdale Way article, Clydesdale Way StoryMap, Clydesdale Way survey.
Deadline: 3rd April 2026.

Note: We’re now in the pre-election period, where councils are restricted from making new announcements, so things may slow down a bit until May.

Both projects affect their local neighbourhood but also have a knock on effect on nearby active travel projects and the wider area (or region/country for the M8 viaducts).

Both have consultation events – TODAY (Thurs 26th Feb) in Linthouse and next week in Cowcaddens (plus an earlier event just took place).

Clyde Waterfront Innovation Campus

Also known as part of Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID). This will be a new Glasgow Uni campus on the south bank of the Clyde off Govan Road (near the Clyde Tunnel entrance). Since cycle routes in the Greater Govan area have hit opposition, could this be an opportunity to add new ones without local shopkeepers holding protest meetings? Also, it could be served by the potential Route 2 to QEU Hospital in Connecting Greater Govan plans (see February 2026 Consultation update). The development uses a streamlined planning process which seems to have fewer stages for feedback.

Linthouse Housing Association say:
“Glasgow City Council are designing a Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) in Govan, between… Elder Park and the Clyde. MCAs proactively grant planning consent to developments that fit within the designed scheme. The proposed MCA will provide development parameters for the establishment of a health and innovation campus on the vacant sites at Govan Road, Holmfauld Road and Linthouse Road. The proposals comprise erection of business accommodation (office, research, laboratory, light industrial and ancillary uses) and associated roads, infrastructure, public realm, and landscaping works. As part of the design, we are proposing several civic and outdoor areas for the public to use, including a new area of public access to the River Clyde and a new civic square.”

Event: Thursday 26th February 2026, 3-7pm
Linthouse Housing Association, 1 Cressy St, Glasgow G51 4RB

Links: Linthouse HA webpage.

Deadline: No obvious deadline.

M8 Woodside Viaducts

Options for the crumbling Woodside viaducts between M8 Junction 16 (Craighall) and Junction 17 (Charing Cross). Problems with the supports between sections led to remedial works, ongoing since 2021 (due to continue until 2027 at a cost of £150+ million). These works restrict the Cowcaddens underpass (causing serious personal safety issues), access to Garscube Rd cycleway/Forth & Clyde canal and are delaying The Underline (part of Glasgow’s Avenues project).

Transport Scotland say:
“Temporary works

1. Lane restrictions are in place and temporary propping of the viaducts is being carried out as a short-term measure to ensure the safety of road users and continued operation of the M8.
2. The temporary props have a limited lifespan, will require maintenance, and take up extensive road space below the viaducts. For these reasons they are not an effective long-term solution.

Permanent works

1. Transport Scotland is assessing options for permanent works that ensure the long-term future for this vital stretch of Scotland’s Trunk Road Network.
2. The long-term plan is to maintain and invest in the M8 motorway network to ensure that it supports existing and future transport plans and the Scottish economy for many years to come.
3. As part of our project development processes, we are considering a range of options for Repairing, Replacing or potentially Removing the viaducts.
4. This consultation is being carried out to inform the Strategic Development stage of work, and presents information in a manner that allows high-level comparisons to be made between the strategic options being considered.”

Removal is the most eye-catching option – especially as the mock-up is more radical than anything proposed by the Replace the M8 campaign! Their petition to the Scottish Parliament asking for a feasibility study for replacing the city centre M8 was turned down in 2022. Transport Scotland have done traffic modelling of removal only – showing knock on effects in the region. However, that seems to have assumed no further changes to the transport network!?

Event: Wednesday 4 March 2026, 10am to 5pm
Woodside Halls, 36 Glenfarg Street, Glasgow, G20 7QE

Links: Transport Scotland webpage, ‘Virtual room’ consultation site, M8 Woodside booklet, M8 Woodside survey.

Deadline: Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Glasgow City

Connecting Greater Govan – Route 1: Govan Road to Pollok Country Park

Glasgow City Council call this route Govan-Partick Bridge to Pollok Park but it starts to the east of Water Row on Govan Road (see featured image, at top of page). On Orkney St and Broomloan Rd it is fairly direct, via Ibrox and Bellahouston Park, down to Drumbreck Rd (2.7km). The route skirts past residential areas and shopping streets but still serves some major destinations in a car-dominated area (which includes Ibrox Primary School’s Bike Bus). Proposed new junctions at busy Paisley Road West and removing the Edmiston Dr roundabout would be a boost to active travel and road safety (see above – unclear if the ‘Route 1’ name is a football reference!). Online reaction was split and local businesses have been vocal critics of cycle lanes so it could do with a good response in the consultation. This route needs to stick if more are to follow (including Route 2 towards Queen Elizabeth University Hospital).

Consultation events:
Pop‑up event – Saturday 21 February (8:30am-11am) at Elder Park.
Drop‑in event – Tuesday 3 March (3:30pm-7pm) in the McLeod Hall, Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road.
Pop-up event – Wednesday 18th March (4pm-7pm) at Govan Subway Station.

Links: Route 1 article, Route 1 Storymap and Route 1 survey.
Deadline: 30 March 2026.

East City Way – Phase 5

The current East City Way has kerb-protected cycle lanes on London Road from Bridgeton train station, past Celtic Park/Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, as far as Canmore St. Phase 5 is the “proposed upgrade of the existing Spaces for People cycle lanes between Braidfauld Street and Canmore Street into fully segregated infrastructure”. This continues the 1-way lanes and includes a ‘cyclops’ junction (like the one at Clyde Gateway). The area around the flats, car wash and Celtic Supporters Club has issues with pavement parking (not least on match days). Some parking bays are included but not many bollards. East of Braidfauld St, the last section of ‘armadillos’/‘zebras’ will remain for now (to the Shell garage). This is another step towards completing the East City Way but further phases will be needed to close the gap, past the M74 junction, to the protected 2-way lanes at Mount Vernon (see StoryMap). 

Links: East City Way article, ECW StoryMap and ECW survey.
Deadline: 22 February 2026.

People First Zone (PFZ) – Phase 1

GCC have talked about a ‘People First Zone’ since the City Centre Transport Plan consultation in 2022. These plans for an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) are the first look at how it would work. The initial focus is Queen St, which has some of the highest footfall in the city centre. Plans show extended pavement space with planters on Queen St and towards the junction with Ingram St (similar to those at St Vincent Place). The t-junction would get a ‘raised crossing’ (level with pavement) to try to slow down motor traffic. Also, a bus gate from 7am–7pm (to let buses through but not cars). The council have used ETROs before for Spaces for People bike lanes – they usually last 18 months. Project timeline says works are due to start during January to March. The PFZ will be monitored from April between Queen St and Candleriggs in the Merchant City. It will be interesting to see how it develops along with the bus gate proposed for Argyle St in the next item.

Links: PFZ article, PFZ StoryMap, PFZ circulation plan and PFZ survey.
Deadline: 19 April 2026.

Argyle St East (Traffic Regulation Order)

This TRO covers Argyle St east of Glasgow Central Station. It would link to the Argyle St west project (from Hielenman’s Umbrella) and on Trongate to High St and Gallowgate/London Rd. The current protected westbound cycle lane (from the Four Ways crossroads) would be made 2-way and extended past the St Enoch Centre. Then it would run along a new carriageway through the precinct past Argyle St station. The route crosses over to ‘with flow’ protected lanes on Trongate. After crossing to London Rd they go back to 2-way lanes again. These then cross to the other side of the road (at James Morrison Street). A bus gate at Queen St and a new bus (and taxi) lane will go direct to Glassford St/Stockwell St and cut out the current loop around Ingram St.

At Stage 1, GoBike raised concerns about pedestrian space, angle of lanes at bus stops and switching between uni-directional and bi-directional lanes. GCC said the type of lanes in each location are dictated by the shallow depth of utilities and rail tunnels under Argyle St. While we’re a bit sceptical about that, the same line does have shallow tunnels under London Rd. We supported the plans overall as, while far from perfect, they’ll be an important west-east link to stations and shops in a busy city centre area.

Links: GCC Proposed TRO page and email correspondence between GoBike and GCC.
Deadline: 25 February 2026.

Glasgow’s Climate Plan 2026–2030 Consultation

Glasgow’s Climate Plan has an overview of the actions needed to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030. It covers a lot of topics and is broken down into 18 benefits in 11 categories. Under Transport, action 4 says: “Deliver a comprehensive active travel network and reduce the need to use a car for short everyday journeys.” 

The target is still 2030 – the key thing is what “comprehensive” means. The Avenues project is making strides towards a network in the city centre and there have been other success stories, like the South City Way having more bikes than cars last summer. However, progress with the first three areas of the full City Network has been slow. With four years to go, and plans for cycle lanes in Possil scrapped or scaled back in Shawlands and Govan, there’s a question mark about what will be delivered by then. 

Links: Glasgow’s Climate Plan, quick guide and Climate Plan survey.
Deadline: 15 February 2026.

East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy

East Ayrshire has existing active travel routes including NCN73 (Irvine to Kilmarnock) and the Chris Hoy Way – a 20km shared use route connecting Hurlford to Galston. It also has some ambitious plans, including Kilmarnock Green Infinity Loop, amongst 41(!) potential routes. As well as campaigns and policies there is some detailed analysis of issues in different localities. It looks quite promising so we can only hope East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Roads Alliance have the political will to match (and avoid neighbouring South Ayrshire’s issues with NIMBYs).

Links: Ayrshire Roads Alliance page, Draft East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy & EA ATS short survey (3 pages, multiple choice).
Deadline: 1 March 2026.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy Public Survey

Inverclyde put out a survey for a new Active Travel Strategy but it seems to have stopped taking responses.

Links: Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy article and Inverclyde ATS public survey.
Deadline: may have passed (consultation started 12 January).

North Lanarkshire

Muirhead to Coatbridge: Strategic Network Routes 1 and 7

Early consultation about route options between Muirhead and Coatbridge (Strategic Network Route 1). This is mainly on minor roads past Drumpellier Country Park and Gartcosh. Also, there’s a west-east route across Coatbridge town centre (SNR7) along the A89 and Main Street. In line with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy these are likely to be shared path/widened pavement routes. While they’re not done to the same level as routes in Glasgow or East Kilbride, NLC have at least got on with building some of them – see their Live & Constructed Active Travel Routes webpage (MS Sway). Coatbridge already has the National Cycle Network route 75 west-east on Bank St and the former canal/railway. The new route will pass shops and should be better lit. However, it’s a shame NLC aren’t adding north-south links first (such as to New College Lanarkshire or Monklands Hospital).

Links: Active Travel Live Projects page (SNR1/7), SNR1 and 7 StoryMap and SNR1 and 7 survey (four questions).
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Local Transport Strategy (LTS – Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Future)

North Lanarkshire Council also had a consultation about their Local Transport Strategy which ended before this update was published (apologies). See Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Transport Future for details. A response went in before deadline passed (on 8 February 2026).

Glasgow City

*ADDITION* Chinatown Masterplan

Potential plans for Glasgow Chinatown – the block between New City Rd, Garscube Rd and the M8. Development was to be linked to the Underline route, which has been delayed indefinitely by M8 viaduct works (and is missing from latest Avenues project map). Chinatown plans seem to include high rise towers, like the student flats at the other end of New City Rd just north of the M8.
Events:
Wed 10 December 2025, 3-7pm at Dundasvale Residents Hall, G4 0JS.
Mon 2 February 2026, 3-7pm at Garnethill Community Hall, 21 Rose Street, G3 6RE.
Links: Urban Realm article and Glasgow Times article (with event dates).

Improving Drumchapel Town Centre

Glasgow City Council say: “As part of the plans to improve Drumchapel town centre, we want your views on how best to change the roads layout of Kinfauns Drive from Hecla Ave down to Duntreath Ave, to make it easier to get around the area and make it more attractive.” The visuals show a revised raised platform on Kinfauns Dr with several sets of steps and a central ramp. Further south, the biggest change in the plans is removing the Drumchapel Roundabout. A (two-stage) crossing will be added on Duntreath Ave with an interesting junction at Aldi. There seems to be a wide verge on the western side of Duntreath Ave but sadly no segregated cycling route there or on Kinfauns Dr. There’s definitely cycling in the area as Drumchapel Cycle Hub are based just along from the junction on Drumry Road East.
Links: Drumchapel Town Centre survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025.

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

A long overdue project for active travel improvements around Thornwood Roundabout and National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7). The roundabout plans are for new crossings and pavements/shared paths (widened onto verges). Crossings at north and east are 2-stage but close to ‘desire line’, with a few pinch points at corners. Crossings at west and south are set much further back (on existing paths). Sawmill St has a shared path south to crossings to a bi-directional cycletrack on South St/Castlebank St. That protected route runs most of the way to Pointhouse Place where there’s a shared path from the corner at the Riverside Museum. There’s a useful fly-through video of the route on the council webpage (and many visuals, which show cyclists riding on the right!). The cycletrack continues west along South St to the crossing at the end of the old railway path on the north side (near Dilwara Ave). While Thornwood roundabout is still car-dominated the plans are an upgrade for active travel. The cycletrack would be a very welcome improvement compared to NCN7’s current shared pavement.
Links: Thornwood-NCN7 consultation, Thornwood-NCN7 survey, Thornwood roundabout plans (PDF) and NCN7 plans (PDF).
Deadline: Wednesday 17 December 2025.

North Lanarkshire

Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South

Another month, another City Deal-funded consultation in North Lanarkshire. This time it’s Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South (RAIS), which includes the underbridge at the West Coast Mainline. It’s part of a wider Pan Lanarkshire dual carriageway between the M74 and M80. Previous plans were for a huge 100m wide roundabout in the middle of Motherwell. NLC say: “The overall footprint of the roundabout has been reduced significantly” – it’s now 80–90m wide. There are still up to five lanes on each arm. It’s also lost a direct crossing at the eastern end of Airbles Rd (now split into three stages at Manse Rd). There are some widened pavements but the route into Ravenscraig is broken up by slip roads (and the dual carriageway severs Orbiston St). Phase 2 is at the western end of Airbles Rd, adding an extra lane heading towards the junction at Strathclyde Park. Again, there are wider pavements. However, the distance between each phase is around 1.25km so there’s no continuous route. The consultation also covers suggested artwork based on the iconic cooling towers of the former Ravenscraig steelworks. A rusty version on a roundabout will not have the same impact but is at least a nod to history.
Links: Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South webpage, RAIS Storymap and RAIS feedback survey (saying ‘Yes’ to changes gives you a text box with 1,000 character limit).
Deadline: Sunday 14 December 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Draft Transport Strategy Consultation 2025 – 2035

South Lanarkshire Council say: “This survey follows on from the first round of engagement undertaken in 2023 and subsequent work to develop South Lanarkshire’s next Local Transport Strategy (LTS), which will cover the period 2025 to 2035. This consultation will inform the finalisation of the Local Transport Strategy for adoption at the end of this year.”
SLC Local Transport Strategy on cycling: “…it is recognised that further investment is crucial to achieve the level of change required to meet climate targets, tackle poor health and address social exclusion. South Lanarkshire Council will further extend the active travel network during the lifetime of this LTS, including the provision of supporting infrastructure.” There’s very little further detail (and the LTS wasn’t mentioned at the last South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meeting).
Links: Draft Local Transport Strategy document, LTS consultation page and LTS survey.
Deadline: Tuesday 9 December 2025.

Merry Christmas and a Guid Hogmanay – see you in the New Year.

East Dunbartonshire

Westerhill Development Road
(Bishopbriggs Relief Road)

Feedback that this new road has been given planning permission. Back in 2024 (Digest 151), the route was chosen to extend the current Westerhill Road north past Low Moss prison. It would then join Kirkintilloch Rd (A803 – between Cadder/The Stables pub). EDC say it will include a “new active travel route for walking, wheeling and cycling.” In the ‘General arrangement’ layout, this seems to be a shared pavement continuing from the crossing at the northern end of the Wester Way (near the former Aviva office building). Unfortunately, since some parts (like Cole Rd) aren’t being upgraded, the AT route stops near Loretto playing fields. A dashed orange line indicates ‘Masterplan Future Active Travel route’. That may refer to the ‘Primary Active Travel route’ in a previous Planning Guidance document (see Digest 157). There’s no detail on why it’s not being built along with the road. Also, it’s not clear why a redundant section of Crosshill Rd will be used for “mosaic habitat” instead of cycling?
Links: East Dunbartonshire Council WDR article and Planning application TP/ED/25/0151.

Glasgow City

North Laurieston masterplan – Stage 2

A further consultation following the Stage 1 event (June update). The project website has summaries and survey results to feed into Stage 2. ‘Connected cycle routes’ was ranked third in their Movement strategy survey. The masterplan area on the south bank of the Clyde includes Carlton Place, South Portland St (Avenues project) and the South City Way on Gorbals St (past the Sheriff Court and Central Mosque).
Event: Wednesday 12 November, 2pm–8pm at the former Savings Bank, 67 Bridge St, Glasgow G5 9JB (presentation at 6.30pm).
Links: North Laurieston microsite (sideways scrolling).

Improving Drumchapel Town Centre

Glasgow City Council say: “As part of the plans to improve Drumchapel town centre, we want your views on how best to change the roads layout of Kinfauns Drive from Hecla Ave down to Duntreath Ave, to make it easier to get around the area and make it more attractive.” The visuals show the curving raised platform has gone from the northern corner of Kinfauns Dr. Further south, the biggest change in the plans is removing the Drumchapel Roundabout. A (two-stage) crossing will be added on Duntreath Ave with an interesting junction at Aldi. There seems to be a wide verge on the western side of Duntreath Ave but sadly no segregated cycling route there or on Kinfauns Dr. There’s definitely cycling in the area as Drumchapel Cycle Hub are based just along from the junction on Drumry Road East.
Links: Drumchapel Town Centre survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025.

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

A long overdue project for active travel improvements around Thornwood Roundabout and National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7). The roundabout plans are for new crossings and pavements/shared paths (widened onto verges). Crossings at north and east are 2-stage but close to ‘desire line’, with a few pinch points at corners. Crossings at west and south are set much further back (on existing paths). Sawmill St has a shared path south to crossings to a bi-directional cycletrack on South St/Castlebank St. That protected route runs most of the way to Pointhouse Place where there’s a shared path from the corner at the Riverside Museum. There’s a useful fly-through video of the route on the council webpage (and many visuals, which show cyclists riding on the right!). The cycletrack continues west along South St to the crossing at the end of the old railway path on the north side (near Dilwara Ave). While Thornwood roundabout is still car-dominated the plans are an upgrade for active travel. The cycletrack would be a very welcome improvement compared to NCN7’s current shared pavement.
Links: Thornwood-NCN7 consultation, Thornwood-NCN7 survey, Thornwood roundabout plans (PDF) and NCN7 plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 17 December 2025.

North Lanarkshire

Bellshill to Mossend Active Travel
(Eurocentral Active Travel links project)

North Lanarkshire Council say: “The project is funded by NLC through the Glasgow City Region Deal which provides for infrastructure projects that connect people with employment opportunities. Three of the five routes are already at the detailed design stage, while the remaining two are at the concept design stage.” The latter runs through Bellshill town centre. The preferred route uses mostly back streets (John St and an awkward junction onto Dean St). Alternatives in the consultation include a route on Main St (which has a high school and very wide pavements in places). As it goes east, the route uses main roads through Mossend and Holytown towards EuroCentral (A755 corridor). North Lanarkshire favour widened pavements over on-road protected lanes so it’s likely this route will follow the pattern set in Motherwell (Muir St), Wishaw (Alexander St) and elsewhere.
Links: Eurocentral Active Travel Links StoryMap, Bellshill–Eurocentral survey
Deadline: 30 November 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Draft Transport Strategy Consultation 2025 – 2035

South Lanarkshire Council say: “This survey follows on from the first round of engagement undertaken in 2023 and subsequent work to develop South Lanarkshire’s next Local Transport Strategy (LTS), which will cover the period 2025 to 2035. This consultation will inform the finalisation of the Local Transport Strategy for adoption at the end of this year.”
SLC Local Transport Strategy on cycling: “…it is recognised that further investment is crucial to achieve the level of change required to meet climate targets, tackle poor health and address social exclusion. South Lanarkshire Council will further extend the active travel network during the lifetime of this LTS, including the provision of supporting infrastructure.” There’s very little further detail (similar to the recent South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meeting, which failed to mention this consultation!).
Links: Draft Local Transport Strategy document, LTS consultation page and LTS survey.
Deadline: 9 December 2025.

SPT

Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan

Radical redevelopment proposals for the bus station. The current building and neighbouring multi-storey car park would be demolished. Only the Gallery Apartments/Sainsbury’s building would be kept. The rest of the block would be used for the new bus station and housing/student flats. The curved layout seems to have fewer stances than the current bus station. The bridges from Cowcaddens Rd may deal with the level difference but could raise issues of anti-social behaviour (on the buses below). On three sides will be Avenues cycle lanes (Cowcaddens St/N Hanover St/W Nile St). No obvious details about bike parking in plans.
Links: Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan webpage and BBS online survey.
Deadline: “before 23 November”.

Glasgow City

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

A long overdue project for active travel improvements around Thornwood Roundabout and National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7). The roundabout plans are for new crossings and pavements/shared paths (widened onto verges). Crossings at north and east are 2-stage but close to ‘desire line’, with a few pinch points at corners. Crossings at west and south are set much further back (on existing paths). Sawmill St has a shared path south to crossings to a bi-directional cycletrack on South St/Castlebank St. That protected route runs most of the way to Pointhouse Place where there’s a shared path from the corner at the Riverside Museum. There’s a useful fly-through video of the route on the council webpage (and many visuals, which show cyclists riding on the right!). The cycletrack continues west along South St to the crossing at the end of the old railway path on the north side (near Dilwara Ave). While Thornwood roundabout is still car-dominated the plans are an upgrade for active travel. The cycletrack would be a very welcome improvement compared to NCN7’s current shared pavement.
Links: Thornwood-NCN7 consultation, Thornwood-NCN7 survey, Thornwood roundabout plans (PDF) and NCN7 plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 17 December 2025.

Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove – Phase 4

“Proposals include an enhanced public realm outside Exhibition Centre Train Station, with plans aiming to create a more inviting and accessible space that supports sustainable travel. This project also explores how Corunna Street, Minerva Street and St Vincent Crescent could be improved to better support walking, wheeling and cycling, while creating more welcoming and accessible public spaces. Proposed improvements include making Corunna Street one-way northbound with a dedicated southbound cycle lane, upgrading pavements and crossings, and adding clearer signage to improve wayfinding.”
Links: Connecting Yorkhill–Kelvingrove Smartsurvey (see plans in updated Connecting Yorkhill–Kelvingrove StoryMap).
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood – Phase 1

“Plans for the Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood build on earlier community feedback, and focus on improving the environment for pedestrians at Kent Road, Brechin Street, Claremont Street, Breadalbane Street and Dover Street. Proposed changes include upgrading pavements with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, improving pedestrian crossings, and adding new infrastructure such as cycle shelters, green planting and enhanced drainage.”
Links: Yorkhill to Anderston LN Smartsurvey (see plans in updated Yorkhill to Anderston LN StoryMap).
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

South Lanarkshire

East Kilbride Masterplan – planning consultation event

SLC have announced a further consultation event for the first phase of East Kilbride town centre redevelopment. It follows previous consultation and events in EK shopping centre. This one may be linked to a Pre-Application Notice (PAN), ahead of plans being submitted, but it’s not clear. The redevelopment site is south of Cornwall St, which has a Spaces for People cycleway on its northern side. An article in South Lanarkshire View says: “The proposals that local residents and communities are being consulted on include:

• a reduction of 42% in retail floorspace
• up to 400 new homes in a new town centre neighbourhood
• a new Civic Hub
• a food supermarket as an anchor retailer
• the transformation of entrance points, including a new hotel”

Event: East Kilbride Central Library from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday 30 October.
Links: East Kilbride Masterplan, SL View article.

Country Park Masterplans

Visuals and plans for Calderglen Country Park (East Kilbride) and Chatelherault Country Park (Ferniegair/Hamilton). These follow consultations last year (see Digest 165). Plans for both parks include upgraded facilities and infrastructure. The highlight for cycling is a proposed new active travel path and bridge over the burn at Calderglen. An article in South Lanarkshire View says: “Phase one projects include the creation of a new ‘pump track’ for three–to seven-year-olds close to the existing adventure playground at Calderglen.” Also, “a study is underway to look at options to reinstate the White Bridge at Chatelherault. The council’s approved budget for 2025/2026 includes an allocation of £1.35m towards both projects. Approved Masterplans for each park will mean that the council can pursue new UK and Scottish Government funding as and when available.”
Links: SLC Country Parks website (note: survey has closed).

Argyll & Bute

Tarbert Ferry Terminal to Whitehouse – Community Path

Continuing consultation on a path between Tarbert’s ferry terminal, on Loch Fyne, across the top of the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig ferry terminal/Whitehouse. Stage 2 consultation (Stage 1 was in 2024) with concept designs for the route alongside the A83. An in-person consultation event in Tarbert has passed. This path to the south-west seems to be separate from the north-east path project (Tarbet to Inverarnan).
Links: Tarbert to Whitehouse Community Path (Engagement Hub), large plan image (ZoomHub), Tarbert–Whitehouse survey, Feedback Map and ABC website page.
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September 2025 (17.00).

East Renfrewshire

Barrhead Road Active Corridor (Newton Mearns) 

Updated plans for the third phase of this route on Barrhead Road in Newton Mearns (phase 1 is still under construction on Aurs Road at Balgray Reservoir). This will be an important active travel link across the M77 motorway between Newton Mearns town centre and greenspace at the reservoir. “Barrhead Rd would include improved paths and crossings; priority for people walking, wheeling, and cycling at junctions; traffic calming measures; improved road crossings; and new signage.”
Drop-in event with the project team: Mearns Library on Wednesday 1 October from 3-7pm.
Links: Barrhead Rd Active Corridor page
Deadline: 26 October 2025.

Glasgow City

Avenues Plus Duke St/John Knox St

A ‘meet the contractor’ event for the Avenues Plus routes currently under construction on Duke St (and planned for John Knox St). Apparently, an “opportunity to view the plans, ask questions, and meet the contractor’s team from Rainton Construction”. Perhaps also to ask about potential links to the new Avenue on Ark Lane and Westercraigs (which could lead directly into the Drives if it had a contraflow bike lane)? Also, Bike for Good will have a Dr Bike (maintenance/servicing) session outside from 4.30 to 6.30pm.
Drop-in event at Dennistoun Library on Thursday 2 October 2025, 3.30 to 7.30pm.
In other Dennistoun news, a Traffic Regulation Order for parking controls is due out shortly.

Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove – Phase 4

“Proposals include an enhanced public realm outside Exhibition Centre Train Station, with plans aiming to create a more inviting and accessible space that supports sustainable travel. This project also explores how Corunna Street, Minerva Street and St Vincent Crescent could be improved to better support walking, wheeling and cycling, while creating more welcoming and accessible public spaces. Proposed improvements include making Corunna Street one-way northbound with a dedicated southbound cycle lane, upgrading pavements and crossings, and adding clearer signage to improve wayfinding.”
Links: Connecting Yorkhill–Kelvingrove Smartsurvey.
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood – Phase 1

“Plans for the Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood build on earlier community feedback, and focus on improving the environment for pedestrians at Kent Road, Brechin Street, Claremont Street, Breadalbane Street and Dover Street. Proposed changes include upgrading pavements with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, improving pedestrian crossings, and adding new infrastructure such as cycle shelters, green planting and enhanced drainage.”
Links: Yorkhill–Anderston LN Smartsurvey.
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

Townhead Greening and Connectivity event

Apologies that we missed this local event in Townhead in the run-up to our AGM. It was about the open spaces in the neighbourhood bordered by the new Avenues under construction on N Hanover St and Kyle St.

North Ayrshire

Maritime Mile, Irvine

This is a large development programme to improve Irvine’s harbour area. “Phase 2 will improve the layout and appearance of Harbour Street and Montgomery Street and connections between Irvine Railway Station and the Beach Park. Activity hubs and spaces will also be created providing new opportunities to enjoy the Harbourside area.” Most of the plans appear to be shared use paths.
Drop-in events:
Wed 8 October, 12 noon – 3pm: Rivergate Shopping Centre;
Wed 8 October, 5pm – 7pm: Fullarton Connexions.
Links: Maritime Mile page, proposals and survey.
Deadline: Sunday 12 October 2025.

North Lanarkshire

East Airdrie Link Road

Major changes for Stage 3 of EALR – a new access road added to the new hospital from Towers Rd. Pavements were previously dropped from the main EALR trunk road between Riggend and Newhouse. The new road, next to a school, and wider road safety measures gives an opportunity to push for better active travel provision to the hospital from both Airdrie and the village of Plains. NCN 75 passes through both places and next to Drumgelloch train station. It’s important NLC also retain existing plans for an active travel path/bridge between the hospital and station.
Links: EALR consultation page, EALR StoryMap.
Deadline: Sunday 26 October 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Coalburn path openings

No new consultations but a follow-up on previous Douglas Valley consultation and Active Travel studies of Clydesdale. Two new active travel paths recently opened around Coalburn, on NCN74 in rural South Lanarkshire, with a further path to follow between Coalburn and Douglas. Coalburn Community Action Group campaigned for the path project, which was managed by Community Action Lanarkshire.
Being close to wind farms and potential for tourism seem to have helped with funding, according to SLC’s South Lanarkshire View:
“Construction funding was provided by South Lanarkshire Scotland Renewable Energy Fund (REF) via OnPath Middlemuir Windfarm and Walking Scotland’s Ian Findlay Path Fund.… …The work is part of a larger initiative to enhance the recreational and tourism offer, which includes the development of a Douglas Valley focussed Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism scope, progressed by the Douglas Valley Advisory Group.”
Links: Coalburn to Poneil active travel path and Coalburn to Lesmahagow active travel path.

Argyll & Bute

Tarbert Ferry Terminal to Whitehouse – Community Path

Further consultation on a path between Tarbert’s ferry terminal, on Loch Fyne, across the top of the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig ferry terminal/Whitehouse. There are concept designs for the route between the two, alongside the A83. This is a Stage 2 consultation (Stage 1 was in 2024). There was an in-person consultation event in Tarbert that has passed. This path to the south-west seems to be separate from the project to create a path to the north-east (Tarbet to Inverarnan).
Links: Tarbert to Whitehouse Community Path (Engagement Hub), large plan image (ZoomHub), Tarbert–Whitehouse survey, Feedback Map and ABC website page.
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September 2025 (17.00).

East Dunbartonshire

LDP3 – Call for Ideas and Sites Consultation

Part of the Council’s continuing work to prepare its next Local Development Plan (LDP). The plan will guide what land in East Dunbartonshire is used for development. The call for ideas is about planning policy and spatial strategy. The call for sites is for general ideas or developers with plans about how to develop areas of land. The call for sites may be an opportunity to lobby for active travel routes.
Two drop-in information sessions (Kirkintilloch/Milngavie) have already passed.
Links: LDP3 web page, LDP3 call for ideas survey and LDP3 call for sites survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 September 2025.

East Renfrewshire

Parks & Green Spaces

ERC say: “We want to learn about your experience of visiting and using parks and greenspaces in East Renfrewshire. Which parks are your favourite? What do you like about them? What do you think could be better? The results of the survey will be used to inform the new Open Space Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.”
East Ren parks and green spaces with important active travel links include: Rouken Glen Park, Balgray Reservoir and Whitelee Wind Farm. There are also some ‘missing links’, like the wasteground and disused bridge between Williamwood train station and Eastwood Health & Care Centre.
Link: East Ren parks and green spaces consultation.
Deadline (extended): 12 September 2025.

Thornliebank Consultations

Feedback about completed projects in Thornliebank, including access improvements to Thornliebank Playing Fields.
Link: Thornliebank Consultations page and Thornliebank Projects Feedback survey.
Deadline: no obvious deadline.

Inverclyde

Proposed Installation of Road Humps – Kirn Drive, Gourock (ETRO)

Following previous consultation, Inverclyde Council propose traffic calming on Kirn Drive in Midton, Gourock. The road would be made one-way between Arran Rd in east and Divert Rd in west with humps added. Also, Staffa Street would be made one-way from Ivy Crescent to Kingsway east. An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) usually lasts 18 months to pilot a change.
Link: Kirn Dr, Gourock TRO page.
Deadline (extended): 1 September 2025.

North Ayrshire

Montgomerie Park, Irvine

North Ayrshire Council is planning the development of 188 new homes at Montgomerie Park, Irvine. Following previous consultations, the final plans for the site are available to view. A proposed road at the south of the new estate seems to include a cycle path but there are no details on width/surface.
Link: Montgomery Park page and final plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 31 August 2025.

Renfrewshire

Outcomes of previous consultations

Renfewshire Council’s new website has an ‘Outcome available’ section with feedback from previous consultations. These include: Erskine Town Centre consultation and Johnston Civic Squares consultation.
Link: Renfrewshire Council consultations and ‘Outcome available’ page.

South Lanarkshire

Update on Hamilton Town Centre Masterplan

An update from South Lanarkshire Council is mostly about progress with property. Sadly, this includes demolishing the facade of the former Vogue Bingo hall on Keith St (apparently as it’s now unsafe). Other negative news includes the trial reintroduction of cars on Quarry St being made permanent. Quarry St used to be pedestrianised – see featured image at top of post from 2012 (with Vogue building in background). Car parking had crept up since the pandemic (leading to the trial). There should be disabled parking and it always had some access for loading, etc. However, officially opening the street to all cars removes safe space for walking, wheeling and cycling (even if it’s still one-way and not really a through road).

Also, work is starting to look at renewing the Duke St multi-storey car park – it’s due to be demolished (apart from the section under Wyler Tower!). However, the plan is to build a new multi-storey in the same place, on the wrong side of the road from the shops! It could potentially have been moved behind Quarry St, in the footprint of the current Regent Shopping Centre, if road access had been adjusted (see alternative plans, ignored by SLC). There is due to be an improved pedestrian/cycle path behind the Duke St car park, to Hamilton Central station, but it doesn’t seem like the rest of the town centre will be very cycle-friendly.

Local Action Fund

The Local Action Fund is £50,000 for each of the 20 council wards in South Lanarkshire. Several projects have already been awarded but there is funding remaining in some wards. There doesn’t seem to be a formal consultation or application process – constituents have to contact their councillors, who will decide where the remaining funds go.

For example, Rutherglen South, Ward 11, reportedly has £23,200 still to be spent by Councillors Robert Brown (who has attended GoBike hustings in the past), Margaret Cowie and Carol Nugent. Could some of the funding go towards improving local active travel routes?

GoBike thinks the changes exclude cycling. We need your help to respond and spread the word about the Gordon St SmartSurvey (consultation deadline: Sunday 24 August). In this article we explain the issues…

Glasgow Central is the busiest station in Scotland with nearly 25 million pedestrian entrances and exits annually (April 2023 – March 2024). While it has entrances on all sides, the majority of footfall goes through the northern Gordon St entrance. That short section of road also contains a black cab rank, drop-off in-shots, bus stop (under the canopy!) and a (very faded) painted cycle lane.

Council proposals – pedestrians, taxis and buses

The main proposed change is to make the block one way, eastbound only. The black cab rank is staying and the bus stop will be moved to the east of it (was under the canopy). The space under the canopy becomes officially pedestrian-only (it often feels like it is already until a bus drives in!). This change may be spurred by Boots moving into the Gordon St shop unit (formerly used by the ticket office/First Class lounge).

Proposals include several large benches and concrete planters to add greenery. A few seats near the entrance would be useful for people waiting for taxis. However, there seem to be several large units with seats on all sides in a street most people wouldn’t choose to hang out on, due to the risk of anti-social behaviour. These seem to take up a lot of space, possibly to be robust enough to meet the council’s obligations for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (to guard the station entrance against a terrorist attack). However, HVM bollards, like those near the Scottish Parliament, would do the same job in much less space.

Council proposals – cycling

The obvious question with a one-way street is ‘will there be a contraflow cycle lane?’ Frustratingly, the answer seems to be ‘no’. That’s despite the clear precedent on the block to the east (with a cycle-only light already installed). Also, the temporary layout outside Central itself during Covid-19.

Even worse is the fact an eastbound-only road would cut off access to the southbound contraflow lane on Hope St to the West City Way (and the Nextbike station). Early correspondence from GoBike to GCC and survey responses by members focussed on these issues.

Council response

The response we got from Glasgow City Council included some statistics and a new map with an alternative westbound route. These seem to be new proposals for protected lanes on St Vincent St and Wellington St, separate to previous Avenues plans. If so, that’s appreciated but the current plans for Avenues stop at Buchanan St and the proposed route seems to start a block later at W Nile St. Also, it goes uphill after Hope St and bypasses the station altogether!

Going north on W Nile St seems to be the suggested way to get to the new route (rather than hazardous George Sq or pedestrian-heavy Buchanan St). However, this still takes you out of your way through seven sets of traffic lights (versus one at Gordon St/Union St). This is supposed to be a route to a railway station so people can actually catch their train!

Also, this means the Hope St contraflow lane being changed to northbound (with changed signals at Gordon St). The map mixes current and future routes so it’s not clear what’s being kept, but the survey page doesn’t show any cycle lane. The changes and installing the new lanes would cost much more than a lane on Gordon St.

Why are GCC offering a longer, more expensive alternative for cycling but not any other mode of transport? The council’s justification is the figures in graphs produced from CCTV with automated counters. It’s not clear how accurate these are when most people would walk their bike in and out of the entrance. As above, Central’s main entrance is one of the busiest places in the country for pedestrians.

At the western end of Gordon St, there’s the Hope St segregated contraflow lane (and a Nextbike station). That lane goes past the side entrance of Central Station then turns to the West City Way on Waterloo St, which continues to the Connect2 bridge over the M8 and beyond. So, most people cycling from the West End to Central would use the Hope St entrance (not Gordon St).

Cycling infrastructure to the east is patchy to non-existent. Gordon Street’s faded cycle lane leads on from a painted contraflow lane (between Union St and Mitchell St). It’s to the west of the pedestrianised part of Gordon St (off Buchanan St). Coming from Dennistoun or Royston there are hellish junctions at Castle St towards Cathedral St. The few (slightly) quieter streets like Bell St or Havannah St give way to main roads like Ingram St (before you can cut through Royal Exchange Sq and across Buchanan St). There’s a patchy protected route from Calton via London Rd/St Andrews Square but it heads south of the station (so isn’t much use if you’re going for a High Level train). On Duke St, the Avenues Plus protected route that’s under construction should help. However, it still won’t connect to George St/George Square or Gordon St. The above goes some way to explain the cycling figures.

Regardless, GCC, ScotRail, SPT and others have made commitments to support active/sustainable travel, which includes increasing cycling modal share. You don’t do that by disadvantaging cycling compared to all other modes. It’s frustrating that, just as ScotRail have improved bike spaces and markings on trains, there are moves to make it harder to cycle to the busiest station in Scotland. There’s a national transport hierarchy with cycling second after pedestrians and before public transport and private cars. That clearly isn’t being followed in the Gordon St plans.

Rail and cycling should be a natural combination – take the train for longer distances and bike for the last few miles. This is well understood in places like Belgium and the Netherlands, where cycle-train commuters are studied as a separate category. The Dutch are known for high quality infrastructure like protected routes and huge cycle parking garages at their main train stations. In future, as routes like Argyle St develop, Network Rail could use empty shopfronts on Argyle St/Hielenman’s Umbrella, which back into Glasgow Central, or the road ramp on Hope St to create new bike parking for people who don’t/can’t take their bike on the train. In the meantime, they should still support direct routes for people who want to take their bike with them (to both High and Low Level platforms).

Potential solution

The simpler, cheaper, more direct solution to the issue would be to put a westbound contraflow cycle lane on the revised Gordon St. It would preserve links to existing infrastructure (instead of forcing a confusing reorganisation). Since there would be no need for a westbound lane on the road the pavement could be extended, even with a westbound bike lane. Getting smaller planters and seating and arranging them with a gap to a new row of bollards would leave space for a contraflow lane. Since the eastern parking in-shot is being removed (a one-way lane only needs about 2m). It’s more open at the western side (where the fireman statue is set back from the corner).

If the alternative route links with other Avenues plans then it could still be useful in future. But, for getting to a train on time, Gordon St is still the best option.

Consultation links

See: GCC Gordon St article and Gordon St SmartSurvey. The survey has half a dozen short pages (or more depending on answers to questions) but most of the questions are optional. If you want, you can skip to comment boxes to raise the issues we mentioned, above.
Consultation deadline: Sunday 24 August 2025.

The south bank route

The diversion route goes over the St Andrews suspension bridge to the south bank of the river. This route was a decent alternative until 2017 when a weir gate on the river jammed open and the loss of water meant part of the riverbank collapsed.

Since then a fenced off section has compromised the route, which already had gates and a few other hazards. Most of the year this affects locals on the Gorbals side but, during the TRNSMT festival, NCN 75 is closed and the diversion is used by a much larger number of people.

Diversion route

The following photos show the diversion route going west from St Andrews suspension bridge towards the city centre.

Once over the bridge there is a sharp right turn to follow along the river.

The first section wasn’t affected by the collapse and is still quite wide.

However, once you get to the distillery, the route moves on to the road and becomes narrower. The red and white barrier is pushed back to allow car access to parking spaces.

There can also be pinch points caused by poor parking.

The next bit is filtered with a bollard but is quite narrow.

Then you rejoin the original ‘soft segregated’ route towards Adelphi House.

There’s a gate at Adelphi House then a pavement section with more obstacles.

There’s quite a lot of stripey hazard tape on fences and poles on the next section.

The pavement then widens for a bit with more obstacles.

The section past the weir control building has a road alternative.

At the end of the diversion you have a choice of going over Albert bridge/Crown Street (but the other end will be very busy with TRNSMT crowds).

Instead, you can cross the road and continue on the much wider river path towards Gorbals Street (past City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Central Mosque).

Gorbals St bridge has the South City Way path over to the junction at the Clutha pub, where there’s a connection onto NCN75/Clyde Walkway.