Clyde Cycle Tunnels – to be resurfaced!

Clyde Tunnel northbound sign

New sign Northbound tunnel

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.

Tunnel 1

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

Peninver DriveBurghead Road

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

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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 Lane Segregation: trial on Aikenhead Road by Glasgow City Council

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Glasgow

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.

ScotRail Cycle Innovation Plan

Abellio

We are now informed that the Abellio ScotRail Cycle Innovation Plan is available here on the Transport Scotland website.  It contains lots of information about their plans for cycles and trains.

GoBike is, from May 2015, represented at the ScotRail Cycle Forum, which meets next on 27 August.

Bike Week, 13 – 21 June

 

Lots of events on in Glasgow and the west for Bike Week.  Check out the Glasgow City Council supported events A3 bike week poster (web)

GoBike have traditionally had a stand at several events in Glasgow during Bike Week, but not this year.  The City Council are concentrating on consultation on their Strategic Plan for Cycling 2015 -2025, which starts next week.  See our next post for details.