We have lots of news, good and not so good, in this issue – a new bridge over the Black Cart in Renfrewshire, a possible new bridge over the canal at Stockingfield, good and not so good news from Clyde Place/Buchanan Wharf, 20mph confirmed for Calton Barras, proposals for new offences of causing death or serious injury while cycling and much, much  more, so please read on.

 

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. UK Government, Department of Transport, Future of Mobility Call for Evidence, closes 10 September
2. Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September
3. **NEW** Swinton Avenue, Glasgow, Traffic Regulation Order to stop up, with exemption for cycles, closes 21 September
4. George Square Glasgow, proposal to close to traffic, closes 24 September
5. A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September
6. **NEW” Stockingfield Bridge, Scottish Canals and Sustrans, workshop and exhibitions 07-13 September and website, closes for comments 28 September
7. **NEW** Battlefield re-design, Sustrans and GCC, exhibition TODAY, website comments close 30 September
8. **NEW** UK Government, Department of Transport, Open Consultation, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling, closes 05 November plus Cycling UK call to action

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Cecil Street, Hillhead, proposal for one-way traffic

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Buchanan Wharf, office development and South West City Way
2. Clyde Place Traffic Regulation Order
3. Byres Road
4. Calton Barras 20mph
5. Greendyke Street traffic calming
6. South City Way
7. Squinty Bridge, taxis on bus lanes
8. GCC Review of progress of implementation of Strategic Plan for Cycling
9. Living Streets Pavement Parking, closes 28 September
10. The Glasgow City Council (Woodside) (Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 2018 (OFFICIAL)
11. Renfrewshire new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Black Cart

Section 1: Current Consultations – in date order for response

1.1  UK Government, Department of Transport, Future of Mobility Call for Evidence, closes 10 September

Last chance coming up to respond to this, which we have advertised before. See the full details in Digest 15 . The link to the survey information is here and the actual survey is here.

1.2  Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September

All the details for this were in our previous Digest 16 and we have replied with this letter: GoBike Newdyke Road speed tables Letter 300817  It’s a curious thing, but apparently the main contributory factor towards injuries to pedestrians has been the pedestrian failure to look properly! Please do support this move to reduce motor vehicle speeds around this primary school.

1.3 **NEW** Swinton Avenue, Glasgow, Traffic Regulation Order to stop up, with exemption for cycles, closes 21 September

We received this message last Monday, 27 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

 Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SWINTON AVENUE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 2018

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.

Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map and statement of reasons.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Traffic Operations and Road Safety, Land and Environmental Services, 231 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 21^st September 2018.”

The attachments referred to are here: Swinton Avenue Notice Swinton Avenue plan Swinton Avenue Statement of Reasons

Swinton Avenue is now being used as a rat run for motor vehicles to speed up their access to the M8 etc. We support this proposal and our letter to Glasgow City Council is here: GoBike Swinton Avenue TRO response 310817 Please add your views if you know the area. We have amended this letter further to several GoBike members looking at the proposal on a slight deviation from the regular Saturday morning Cycling UK ride on 1st September out to Coatbridge and Muirhead. Eight of us cycled along Swinton Avenue and Rhindhouse Road, (the route of the rat run) but when we arrived at the traffic lights at the new roundabout to get onto the A89 we waited, and waited, until it seemed clear to us that the lights only change from red when a motor vehicle is detected. We have asked for this to be corrected, see: GoBike Swinton Avenue TRO response Amended 030917

1.4 George Square Glasgow, proposal to close to traffic, closes 24 September

 

We included details of this in Digest 16 and we hope that many of you have replied to the on-line consultation. In addition to replying as individuals we have sent this letter to the leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aikman: GoBike George Square closure support and comments 270818 and her e-mail reply to us reads as:

Thank you for your email and support of the proposal.

I can advise I have passed this onto the relevant officers
and asked that they feed this into the consultation.

1.5 A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

 

We hope that you have responded to this, which we have told you about before, in Digest 15, and in  Digest 16 we told you about the Friends of the Earth handy guide, which you can find here . Please do help get rid of broken glass on our streets.

1.6 **NEW” Stockingfield Bridge, Scottish Canals and Sustrans, workshop and exhibitions 07-13 September and website closes for comments 28 September

 

If we wish to walk or cycle along the canal from the city towards Falkirk now requires a journey under a narrow bridge and then a short , but quite steep climb back on to the tow path.  Alasdair, one of our members, has now told us about consultation events that Scottish Canals and Sustrans are holding to ascertain the public’s view about a new bridge:

“Public Drop-in Exhibitions

Saturday 8th September 2018, Maryhill Burgh Halls, 11:00am– 4:00pm

Tuesday 11^th September 2018, Lambhill Stables, 1:00 – 6:00pm

Wednesday 12^th September 2018, Ruchill Community Cetnre, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Thursday 13^th September 2018, Cadder Community Centre, 1:00 – 7:00pm

• Public exhibition and drop in session for general public displaying ‘draft design’ and other information relevant to the proposed application.
• Staffed with members of Scottish Canals, design team and consultation team available for discussion with members of the public
• Feedback cards available for completion at the public events and via the website.”

This is what the new bridge might look like – could be a much better experience for people walking and cycling.

“Stakeholder and Community Workshop

Friday 7^th September 2018, Maryhill Burgh Halls

Two workshop sessions (repeated to provide options to maximise attendance) will be held to explore with community councils, organisations, local interest groups and other key stakeholders the proposals and areas within the proposals that can be influenced.”

The website and survey may be found here. Please do try to attend one of the sessions and respond to the survey.

1.7 **NEW** Battlefield re-design, Sustrans and GCC, exhibition TODAY, website comments close 30 September

Battlefield has changed since this photo was taken in the 1950s and its’s about to change again. As we told you in a Consultation Extra last week, things are happening after last November’s initial consultation:

“We are collecting ideas and comments for this project online. Visit our project website and leave a comment on the map from 4^th – 30^thSeptember.”

1.8 **NEW** UK Government, Department of Transport, Open Consultation, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling, closes 05 November

We are somewhat incensed by this. Four years ago, the Westminster Government recognised that our road traffic laws weren’t working and promised a full review of traffic offences and penalties. Instead they are now just looking at new cycling offences. Most of the time those of us who cycle either have to share the roads with fast-moving traffic or footways with pedestrians who travel much slower than we do. Instead of ensuring that we have good infrastructure and that there are robust penalties when motor vehicle drivers kill or injure people on bikes, it is now proposed to bring in new penalties for cycling offences. The UK government survey is here.  Please do respond to it BUT only after you have read on …

Cycling UK, of which many of us are members, have launched a campaign calling for a full review of road traffic offences and are asking us to write (they provide a letter) to your MP. Please look at their website here and support this action. GoBike has declared its support and you may read about that here in a post we put out on 27 August.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Cecil Street, Hillhead, proposal for one-way traffic

GoBike member, Neil L, told us about the list of topics for Glasgow City Council’s Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee Agenda – 28 August 2018, given here: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/submissiondocuments.asp?submissionid=89316  and one interesting item is the proposal supported by the local Community Council to make Cecil Street one-way, http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewDoc.asp?c=P62AFQDN2UZL2UUT2U

While we have no strong objection to one-way streets, we do object to cycles being included. We need the permeability that two-way cycling gives us and we will be watching out for progress on this item.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow,office development and South West City Way

As reported in Digest 16, GoBike was invited to a meeting with Drum Property and their Consultant Engineer, Fairhurst. Tricia Fort attended this meeting, called at short notice on Thursday 23 August. It had been hoped that Sustrans would be represented but this was not possible. The discussion was positive. The developers would not take on the site with a three lane road between it and the Clyde, hence the forthcoming closure of Clyde Place. The development will have only a few car parking places, and it is expected that most people working there or visiting will either use public transport, walk or cycle. Cycle parking will be provided.

The South West City Way will remain in place but there will be a few changes. There will be three raised pedestrian crossings from the development to the riverside walkway, and at the west of the site it has been proposed to have setts marking out areas where pedestrians and vehicles will be crossing into the site. Tricia made the point that setts do not make for a comfortable cycle ride – let’s see if they accede to this concern. During the construction phase cycles will be diverted to the riverside walkway for a period of about 3-4 months. We’ll keep you posted with updates.

3.2 Clyde Place Traffic Regulation Order

We were told by e-mail on 24th August that despite our objection to part of this order (re the failure to provide for cycle traffic with a contraflow northbound cycle lane on Bridge Street, pictured), the order will be implemented. There is one change to the initial proposal and that is for less stringent parking restrictions on Kingston Street! Nothing for cycling, so we still have to brave the one-way system with cars, vans and buses to get from Eglinton Street into the city centre. The good news though, is that Clyde Place will close to through motor traffic next year, giving a boost to the riverside area.

3.3 Byres Road Update

On 29 August we got this update from the senior engineer for the Byres Road changes in Glasgow City Council:

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you- it has been 
an incredibly busy few weeks. 

We are looking at the potential to introduce changes to the 
design and will be in touch with yourself and other 
stakeholders to discuss in the near future.

So, we wait with bated breath to see what the changes will be!

3.4 Calton Barras 20mph speed limit

We supported the TRO to introduce a 20mph speed limit east of the Saltmarket and High Street, (see  Digest 10) with our only concern being with the introduction of speed cushions on Greendyke Street. We were told on 24th August that the scheme will go ahead as advertised. Good news and bad, but see the next item.

3.5 Greendyke Street Traffic Calming

As inferred above, we objected to the Traffic Regulation Order to construct buildouts and install speed cushions on Greendyke Street, just on the north side of Glasgow Green. We suggested that cycle lanes be constructed with zebra crossings to allow people to cross over into the park. We were told on 23rd August that the scheme will go ahead as originally proposed. The buildouts protect the car parking places and push bikes out into the centre of the street. This action does just about nothing for active travel.

3.6 South City Way

Back in Digest 10 we informed you of the Traffic Regulation Order for the South City Way on Victoria Road and Pollokshaws Road. We supported this and we have now been told, 23rd August, that it has been confirmed. You might have noticed that cycle lane construction is already proceeding on Pollokshaws Road towards the Brazen Head pub.

3.7 Squinty Bridge, taxis on bus lanes

We objected to the Finnieston Bridge Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to allow taxis to use the two western lanes, (the bus lanes) on the Clyde Arc Bridge. Details were in Digest 11 and in Digest 14. We copied the long reply that we had received from Glasgow City Council. Other than that, we have heard nothing. although GoBike member Brenda, has told us that the signs for these two road lanes have now been amended to allow taxis as well as buses and bikes to use them – and the taxis are definitely exploiting this opportunity. This is yet another move from the City Council that sets back the progress of cycle traffic in the city.

3.8 GCC Review of progress of implementation of Strategic Plan for Cycling, and Secure Cycle Parking

Above we told you that GoBike member, Neil L, had alerted us to the agenda for last week’s Glasgow City Council’s Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee:   https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/submissiondocuments.asp?submissionid=89316

There’s to be a review of the Council’s Strategic Plan for Cycling 2016 – 2025, which GoBike did comment on at the consultation stage, plus investigation into providing secure cycle parking and one or two other items that might take your interest.

3.9 Living Streets Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

This has been in the last few digests (see Digest 16), and please do support this move if you haven’t already done so.

The link is here

 

 

3.10 The Glasgow City Council (Woodside) (Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 2018 (OFFICIAL)

We first mentioned this in Digest 11 and we have now heard, on 31st August, that the order, which we supported, has been approved. That’s good news for Woodside residents, who are concerned about uncontrolled parking and is a precursor of the cycle improvements we hope to see soon in the area.

3.11 Renfrewshire new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Black Cart

Last but not least we have news of a new bridge over the Black Cart River, sent to us by both Neil L and Alasdair. We missed any initial consultation on this but it’s good to see active travel improvements coming out of the City Deal. Here are the details from Renfrewshire Council:

“Green light for cycle bridge into investment area.

A new bridge over the Black Cart that will connect cyclists and pedestrians to the Glasgow Airport Investment Area development in Renfrewshire has been granted planning consent.

Councillors on the Communities, Housing and Planning board have given the green light to construction of the purpose-built pedestrian bridge and cycleway at the south end of Greenock Road.
It will provide a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the busy junction with Inchinnan Road and enable access to a new development site which has already secured significant investment.

The crossing forms part of the £39.1million Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project. Planning consent was previously granted for other elements of the GAIA works, including the construction of a new high quality boulevard into the investment area through re-alignment of Abbotsinch Road as well as a new two-lane link bridge over the White Cart linking communities and development sites on the east of the White Cart to the investment area. These infrastructure improvements underpin a 150-acre development site next to Glasgow Airport and enhance connections to the nearby Westway, Inchinnan and Airport business parks.

Further information on all of our City Deal projects can be found on our website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/citydeal.”

So that’s it for now folks, and that’s it until October. Tricia will be taking a welcome holiday, but will be back with the next digest in October. In the meantime we will let you know of anything critical, but do expect another bumper issue in the first couple of weeks of October.