See this article on the STV website!
Good News – Clyde Tunnels resurfacing – to be done!
Clyde Cycle Tunnels to new hospital: UPDATE
On Monday 10 August, 2 members of the GoBike committee, plus 2 doctors from the new hospital, met with Andrew Brown, Projects Manager with responsibility for cycling infrastructure in Glasgow City Council, and his assistant, Steve Gray on site near the hospital. Andrew and Steve were able to see for themselves the chaotic state of affairs on Govan Road where southbound cycles and motor vehicles exit the tunnels – into the Fastlink construction site. At present cyclists and pedestrians have to fend for themselves to cross Govan Road in between cars, buses, lorries and cars, to get to their homes, to the shops or to their place of work. We were also at the entrance to the northbound cycle tunnel between 5:15 and 5:45 pm and saw the constant stream of people cycling home from the hospital via the tunnel. Many of these people have never commuted by bike before; a big modal shift has been brought about because these people have realised that using a bike provides a practical means of getting to and from the hospital.
What did come out of the meeting is:
- An agreement by Andrew Brown to speak to his colleagues dealing with Fastlink to explore what can be done for cycling (and no, they have not been in close liaison during the Fastlink design and construction process).
- News that the segregated cycle lane proposed for Peninver Drive, and unnecessary in our view, is now on hold because of concerns about other aspects of the Traffic Regulation Order for the area.
- A commitment from the Council to look with some urgency at the crossing from Peninver Drive across Moss Road into the heavily used cycle and pedestrian access to the hospital opposite.
- Acknowledgement from the Council that the very narrow northbound cycle lane marked on Moss Road with faint, white paint, just outside the double yellow lines, is inadequate.
- The view from GoBike that the Council’s proposal for cyclists exiting the southbound tunnel, and wanting to go west to the hospital, to go east towards the roundabout on very narrow redetermined footways and cross over one side road and 2 independent Toucan crossings before heading west, is adding distance and time to the cycle journey, is impractical, over-engineered and unrealistic.
- The observance that the desire line for cyclists exiting the southbound tunnel is to directly cross Govan Road before heading west to the hospital. Andy Winter, the GoBike member who was one of the two doctors at the meeting, has already stated to the Council that this is the route that should be formalised. (The photograph accompanying this post was taken at 08:35 on the morning of 14 August; in under 10 minutes 20 cyclists were seen exiting the southbound tunnel and everyone of them used the route shown on the photograph.)
- Confirmation from the Council that the area leading to the northbound tunnel is to be resurfaced soon.
- Confirmation from the Council that they are actively looking at improved surfacing within the tunnels; it has been suggested to them that trials of the proposed surfacing materials are carried out.
- Confirmation from the Council that signage directing people to the cycle tunnels and the hospital is to be erected soon (we were told that this had been delayed because of the change of name of the hospital!)
In addition the hospital staff told us that cycle parking and showers are available for staff, the Bike to Work Scheme has been promoted within the hospital, there are moves to set up a Bicycle Users Group and hospital management are working with cycling commuters to draw up a cycle-centric guide on routes to the hospital
From all of this it is clear that cycling is rarely considered within Glasgow City Council, apart from by the staff in Andrew Brown’s section; ie there is little, or no, joined up thinking and, overall, traffic planning for the new hospital has not been realistic. In particular a frequently used excuse that the state of the road layout was ‘due to Fastlink’, where cycle and pedestrian safety appears to have been completely ignored, has worn rather hollow.
GoBike objected to the Fastlink proposals because of the exclusion of cycles and the potential danger posed to people on bikes by the new traffic layout, but we were ignored, although concessions are now creeping in in response to realisation by the Council of the need to improve cycle provision.
So while a great new hospital has been delivered on time and in budget, there has been a failure within the City Council to adequately respond to this in terms of cycle and pedestrian access. GoBike will be bringing our concerns to the attention of the councillors for the area and we suggest that you do likewise. The local councillors are:
Councillor James Adams, Labour Party, e-mail: james.adams2@glasgow.gov.uk
Councillor Stephen Dornan, Scottish National Party, e-mail: stephen.dornan@glasgow.gov.uk
CouncilLor John Kane, Labour Party, e-mail: john.kane@glasgow.gov.uk
Bailie Fariha Thomas, Labour Party, e-mail: fariha.thomas@glasgow.gov.uk”
Clyde Cycle Tunnels – to be resurfaced!
Glasgow City Council and the Clyde Tunnel are aware that there have been a couple of accidents in the cycle tunnels, which are now being used much more with the transfer of staff, and patient services, to the new Southern General. They are currently investigating a surfacing material, which will improve skid resistance and which can be laid in the relatively confined space of the tunnel without too much disruption, to improve the cycling experience.
An enquiry to GCC today revealed the information that the 5mph signs, installed yesterday, 13 July, are there as a precautionary measure, to warn people to take care, particularly if they are not used to the steep inclines and bends in the tunnels.
Also, we are informed that new signage is being arranged – not before time, we hear you say, to indicate where the tunnels are!
Obviously, this situation is far from good, the lack of good cycle routes to the hospitals as well as all the disruption caused by the Fastlink bus route is making the journey to the hospital a trial for staff and patients alike – if the Queen had gone by bike when she opened the hospital, the tunnels would have already been painted and resurfaced!
If we find out when the surfacing, or the signage is to be done, we’ll let you know.
Govan: GCC proposal for one-way roads near entrance to northbound Clyde Cycle Tunnel
Glasgow City Council propose to make two roads, Peninver Drive and Burghead Road, leading to the entrance to the northbound Clyde Tunnel, one-way. A two-way segregated cycleway has already been proposed for Peninver Drive but no contraflow arrangement has been proposed for Burghead Road. Where new one-way systems are brought in, it is GoBike policy to press for contraflow cycle provision. Given the urgent need to improve the two cycle tunnels and the overall lack of provision for cycle access to the new Southern General, this seems to be a lot of emphasis on two quiet streets. Our letter of comment/objection may be seen here on our website. The closing date for comment is 27 July; we hope we have some time for discussion with GCC before then, but if you are concerned about this proposal, do get your comments in.
Aikenhead Road: Trial Cycle Lane Segregation, Survey now available
Glasgow City Council’s survey on the trial installation in Aikenhead Road is now available at http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/cycling
There are a couple of clicks to be done to get to the survey itself, but then it’s fairly self-explanatory. There is a question as to whether you live in Glasgow – or not, but the survey is NOT limited to Glasgow residents; a later question asks how often you cycle in Glasgow. So all those of you who commute in or cycle in for other reasons are also able to respond.
Please do respond to let the Council know your views.
What about the Roundabouts? Speed to be reduced on Sheildhall Road. Plus, GCC response to footway redetermination Queens Park
Glasgow City Council propose to reduce the speed limit past this iconic building on Shieldhall Road, which we welcome, but nothing is proposed for the accident high spots at either end, ie the 2 roundabouts. Our analysis shows these pose far more of a danger, see: Shieldhall-3 and you can see our letter to the Council here on our Consultations page.
Also this week GCC have responded to our objection to the redetermination of the footway on Pollokshaws Road outside Queens Park: GCC response, 30 June, to GoBike objection, 05 March 2015 to Queens Park footway redetermination Pollokshaws Road is a major radial route into the city, well-used by cyclists and we suggest that you read their response in the light of the aspirations of the draft of Glasgow’s Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015 – 2025 currently out for consultation! A very disappointing response from GCC.
Cycle routes – what should they be?
Cycle routes – read this blog by a GoBike member and see what you think. It might just help you in your response to Glasgow City Council about the Strategic Plan for cycling.
Cycle Lane Segregation: trial on Aikenhead Road by Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City Council have recently installed samples of cycle lane segregation along about 400m of Aikenhead Road, heading away from the city centre. If you haven’t seen them already, do head along there and see what you think. There is some snagging work to be done, and an information sign board is to be installed ready for the council to launch an on-line survey at the end of June or beginning of July. The technical information in italics below is as provided by GCC. Installation times are for the council’s contractor using these materials for the first time, but even so, costs and installation times are much lower and quicker than the concrete kerb-separated routes elsewhere in the city. Once you’ve seen them, and the on-line survey has been launched, remember to submit your views!
Travelling along the route, the first segregation is the bollards section shown above. This comprises 15No. NAL X-LAST Nuvo 150 Passively safe highly resistant and very flexible Black Bollards 920mm high with two reflective red and white bands with sign face (955) both sides in Nal sockets placed in 300mm x 450mm x 350mm concrete foundation at 3.5m c/c. Bollard and Nal socket Cost & Installation for this short trial under £550.00 per unit. 3 Days to install. 1st day excavate. 2nd day place Nal and concrete. 3rd install bollard into socket. It’s very likely that these bollards will only be used at the start, or at a road junction break, of a segregation scheme rather than continuously as here.
The second section comprises, made from 100% recycled tyre rubber, 30No. Rosehill Highways Cycle Lane defenders black 2.0m x 0.21m connected together complete with white strip and drainage slots and 2No. end units 2.0m x 0.21m with cat eyes. Cost & Installation for this short trial under £200.00 per unit. Approx 3.5 hours to install 30. Initially these did not have a reflective strip on the outer edge and there is evidence of motor vehicles going over them. This will be rectified and you will see that a rumble strip and reflectors have been installed.
The third section comprises, made from 100% recycled PVC, 30No. Cyclehoop Zicla Armadillos Cycle Lane Separators black and white. Robust traffic separator for cycle lanes, no sharp edges and with reflective strips for visibility. Installed in parallel or obliquely to the axis of the track. 4No. Bolt downs with no excavation.Dimensions 820mm long x 210mm wide x 130mm high @ 3m c/c. Weight 9kg. Cost & Installation for this short trial under £150.00 per unit. Approx 3.5 hours to install 30.
The fourth section is of, made of recycled material, 30No. Rediweld Clyce Lane Protector Orca black and white tip toe. Half Battered Kerb face on the vehicle side to deter drivers and a Cycle friendly concave face on the cycle side to protect cyclists. 4No. Bolt downs with no excavation. Dimensions 920mm long x 200mm wide x 100mm high @ 2m c/c. Weight 6.5kg . Cost & Installation for this short trial under £150.00 per unit. Approx 3.5 hours to install 30.
Along the route are 3No. Rediweld bolted down Satellite Island complete with anchors. Dimensions 1000mm long x 600mm wide x 128mm high complete with 2No. reflective rebound bollards. Cost & Installation for this short trial under £650.00 per unit. Approx 1 Hour per installation of unit.
Also along the route is a 150mm wide white lining rumble strip with red and white reflective studs at 2 metres centre to centre. Cost & Installation approx £10.00 per metre. Approx 1.5 hours to install 100 metres.
The trial section ends with a traditional lane, heading towards Hampden.
GCC Consultations: Objection to Finnieston Street cycle and pedestrian but 2 approvals
We were alerted to the consultation to allow cycling on the east footway of Finnieston Street by the local Community Council. The footway just isn’t wide enough to take all the pedestrians and people on bikes who might be using this busy part of town, with all its conference and event venues. We have thus submitted an objection. This is just the part of town that needs good cycle facilities for all the visitors to the area and we are pleased that the Community Council and the local Green Party Councillor agree with us.
At the same time we have given our approval to City Council plans to restrict waiting and loading at Festival Gate, off Pacific Quay and the introduction of 20mph zones in Drumoyne and Mansewood.
You can see further information and our letters on our Consultations page on our website
Glasgow’s Strategic Plan for Cycling
The City Council have already uploaded the consultation version of the Strategic Plan for Cycling to the website: www.glasgow.gov.uk\consultations and there’s a poster giving times for consultation events during Bike Week: Cycling 2015-2025 Consutation Ad F_AW-1 and here’s the text of the e-mail they have sent out:
“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDREW BROWN
PROJECTS MANAGER, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Glasgow City Council is in the process of developing its Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015 -2025. Initial consultation with key stakeholders has taken place and a draft plan has now been developed.
In order to assist in finalising the plan, a wider consultation exercise is now underway and feedback will be accepted until 4 September 2015.
A copy of the draft Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015-2025 is now available to view on our website at:
www.glasgow.gov.uk\consultations
The above site contains a feedback form which can be used to submit any comments on the draft strategy.
The Strategic Plan will also be promoted at a number of Bike Week events (13 – 21 June) where staff will be available to answer questions:
- Monday 15 June (9am until 2:30pm)
Buchanan Street, near St Vincent Street, Glasgow
- Tuesday 16 June (9am until 2:30pm)
Buchanan Street, near St Vincent Street, Glasgow
- Wednesday 17 June (7:30am until 2:30pm)
Glasgow Green, near Saltmarket, Glasgow
- Thursday 18 June (7pm until 8pm)
Bike Station, cycle cinema, Haugh Rd, Glasgow
- Sunday 21 June (10am until 4pm)
Riverside Museum, Glasgow
If you require any further information regarding the consultation process, please contact my assistant Allan Maclean on 0141 287 9038.
Andrew Brown
Projects Manager
Land and Environmental Services
Glasgow – UK Council of the Year 2015″
Read it, think about it, submit your views and circulate comments if you wish. The GoBike Policy Group will be drawing up the GoBike submission over the summer and we’ll get that out on the website.