We object to the permanent introduction of taxis to all 4 lanes of the Finnieston/Squinty/Clyde Arc Bridge – where is the active travel space? – and we learn that traffic calming schemes are a one-stage consultation with no Traffic Regulation Order. Plus, as desks are cleared for the holidays – a break for some – we have a stack of feedback for you.
Contents:
Section 1: Current Consultations
- Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December
- Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
- Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), closes 10 January 2020
- Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
- Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020
- Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020
- Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020
Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations
- Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020
Section 3: Consultation Feedback
- Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission
- East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission
- Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
- Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
- Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved
- Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes
- Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats
- Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved
- East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response
- Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update
- GoBike met GCC, 13 December
- Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme
- Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme
- Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December
Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses
1.1 Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December
This proposal first featured in Digest 49, Item 1.9 and here’s the GoBike letter supporting the proposal. Please add your voice, if you have time, particularly if you live, work or cycle in Sighthill.
1.2 Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO closes 03 January 2020
This consultation was brand new in Digest 48, Item 1.9 and it just makes Fastlink worse if possible. Taxis and authorised vehicles are now able to use all four lanes of this bridge on a permanent basis after a “trial” for 18 months. The trial was to check whether the inclusion of taxis slowed buses down, but since the main hold-up for buses is on Lancefield Quay, we are now told that there has been no deterioration, so taxis may stay. The change puts active travel back, not forward and this won’t look good when COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, comes to Glasgow next year. Here’s the GoBike letter of objection. Do put in your own letter/email of objection – unless you are a taxi-driver ……
1.3 Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) closes 10 January 2020
This important consultation was Item 1.11 in Digest 49 and, if you haven’t already, do respond to the survey if you have time over Christmas and the New Year. Here’s a link to the survey.
1.4 Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
We first mentioned this UK consultation back in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and the information and consultation details are here. Do have a look and see if you find anything that is reassuring!
1.5 Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020
This consultation appeared in Digest 48, Item 1.11 but was then excluded from Digest 49 in favour of the Central District Regeneration Framework (see Item 1.7 below). Apologies for the confusion but we do have 2 city centre consultations at the same time! This is the higher level document and our in-house expert has been looking at it. The GoBike response should be in the next Digest, appearing in the New Year.
These high-level documents can seem quite vague but more detailed policy is based on them, so it’s important that we look at them. The link to this one is here, although the link is to a list of current consultations and this one is on page 2!
1.6 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020
Item 1.13 in Digest 49 gave the details for this on-line consultation and, although it’s open for over a month, do please respond before you forget. Here’s the link to the City Council’s consultation page where you have to scroll down to find this one.
Done well, the South West City Way, running all the way from the City Centre to Pollok Park, could be a significant boost for cycling in Glasgow.
1.6 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020
We featured this in Digest 49, Item 1.14 and we are working on our response. The link, which is the same as the last two items is here – scroll down to the correct document. It’s similar to the previous Regeneration Frameworks that we have reviewed, more detailed than the City Centre Strategic Development Framework in Item 1.5 above, but still not a lot of specifics.
Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations
2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020
Featured in Digest 49, Item 2.2 this consultation event will be held at St Albert’s Primary School, 36 Maxwell Drive, on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 between 3.30pm and 7pm.
Section 3: Consultation Feedback
3.1 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission
GoBike supported the proposal, first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.3, to restrict commuter parking with this letter on 28 November.
3.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission
This consultation, which closed on 16 December, was first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.6. We aren’t too happy with the speed tables, which only leave a narrow gap at the side for cycling – here’s the letter we submitted on 12 December.
3.3 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
GoBike supported the consultation, which closed on 13 December, to control the chaotic commuter parking around Dalmarnock Station and the Police Scotland offices, with this letter on 15 December. All the details were first given in Digest 48, Item 1.5.
On 19 December we received this reply from GCC:
“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DALMARNOCK WEST)(TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20___
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
I note your comments regarding Shawfield Road and would reiterate that this falls outwith the Glasgow City boundary, however, I can confirm that an officer will contact South Lanarkshire Council to raise your concerns.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.
Yours sincerely“, etc
So, good news that the two neighbouring councils will speak to each other!
3.4 Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
The TRO to prohibit parking on the new road from the M80 to the new Robroyston Railway Station was first featured in Digest 48, Item 1.6. We supported the ban and strongly suggested that now is the time to construct cycle lanes, with this letter, dated 12 December.
On 18 December this reply was received from Glasgow City Council:
“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ROBROYSTON STATION) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of GoBike.
As previously advised it is intended to provide cycle measures on Station Road to connect to Robroyston Station and this will be subject to future consultation which you will be advised of when progressed.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.
Yours sincerely” etc
We live in hope that this will be both the original Station Road from Cumbernauld Road to the station and the new road from Robroyston and the M80 junction!
3.5 Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved
Back in June, and featured in Digest 36, Item 1.4 we were sent proposals for parking restrictions and a two-way cycle lane on Garscube Road, to which we responded with this letter. We were sent this email on 04 December:
“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (GARSCUBE ROAD, (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) 2019
I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal with changes as specified below:-
· Provision of on-street short-term pay and display parking on the west side of Firhill Road.
The Order was made on 11th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.
Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk
Yours sincerely” etc
See the next item for news of the cycle lanes!
3.6 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes
The latest Connecting Woodside update, received on 17 December:
| “New update available: |
| Connecting Woodside end of year update! |
| Read update |
| Button does not work? Try this link. Like to ask a question to the project team about this update or the project? Email sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk.“ |
And here’s the headline news: ” Construction on the first phase of the Connecting Woodside project will begin in early 2020! This is a segregated cycle route on Garscube Road, from Firhill Road to the underpass at Dobbie’s Loan. “
3.7 Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats
This is the saddest and most disgraceful news we have had in a long time. In the face of 160 objections, from local residents, from Patrick Harvie, MSP (Green Party) and GoBike, planning permission has now been granted to the developer who wishes to build 48 flats on the green space shown here, adjacent to the shared cycle/foot path that is National Cycle Route 7.
Details of the planning application are here and here are the details of the final outcome: https://reglasgow.com/flats-plan-for-yellow-ribbon-partick-open-space-gets-go-ahead/
3.8 Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved
A 20mph speed limit has now been approved for this area. Here’s the email we received on 04 December:
MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN, NORTH WOODSIDE AND WOODLANDS) (MANDATORY 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) 2019
I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal.
The Order was made on 11th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22nd November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.
Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,” etc
3.9 East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response
GoBike responded to the consultation on the LDP2 with this letter, as reported in Digest 49, Item 1.3 and we received this response on 12 December:
“GoBike
Dear Sir / Madam
East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report (October 2019)
Your Reference LDP2/174
Thank you for your representation (s) in respect of the above documents. The Council will aim to resolve issues raised by representations prior to submission of the Proposed LDP2 to Scottish Ministers. You may be contacted for further information or clarification if required. Following the close of the consultation a report will be produced summarising all representations received and detailing the Council’s response. This will be reported to Council and made available on the Council’s website.
If there are unresolved representations the Scottish Ministers will appoint an independent Reporter to examine the Proposed Plan. The Reporter appointed will consider all matters and make recommendations to the Council and to Scottish Ministers on any changes that should be made to the Plan. The Council must incorporate these recommendations prior to adopting the Plan. Once adopted, the Plan has a legal status and is used for the assessment of planning applications and will guide development within East Renfrewshire.
Please quote reference number LDP2/174 in all future correspondence.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Strategy Team on 577 3001 or email ldp2@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk if you have any further queries.
Yours sincerely,
Gillian McCarney Strategic Services Manager”
3.10 Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update
Here’s the latest on what’s happening out near Glasgow (Renfrew?!) Airport:
| ” We wanted to draw your attention to the following updates on two of our City Deal projects… As construction progresses at our Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project, our contractor Wills Bros Civil Engineering, have issued the first GAIA newsletter which provides an update on progress of construction works on the project. You can view this from the related document section of our GAIA webpage at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/gaia. As part of advance works for the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside (CWRR) project, our demolition contractor Daltons Demolitions facilitated a site visit from a group of S5 and S6 pupils preparing for life in the construction sector. Further details of this visit can be found on our website. |
| The 1st official newsletter for the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project. This newsletters, which will be the first in a series updates as the project progresses, includes: Project overview; Traffic management including lane closures required to allow construction to progress; Wright Street bridge update; Protection of Marine Life; and Community updates. You can download the newsletter from the related documents section of our GAIA project page at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/gaia. |
3.11 GoBike met GCC, 13 December
As we advised in Digest 49, Item 2.1, Ali, Brenda and Tricia from GoBike cycled out to the new Glasgow City Council offices on London Road, to meet Kevin Hamilton, Michael Brady and one of their team who all deal with parking and traffic calming.
We had a good discussion and hope to meet again.
On parking our main concern is the removal of two-way cycling to allow adequate space for the parking that local residents claim they need, even when commuter parking is being removed by the City Council. We heard that there is a plethora of documents, and opinions, that do or do not support contraflow cycling and the Council is understandably concerned to keep our streets as safe as they think they can.
On traffic calming and the universal use of speed cushions, we heard that there is pressure from residents and City Councillors to act quickly to reduce dangerous motor traffic speeds. Speed cushions certainly do the job but do not necessarily answer our concerns about making streets active-travel-friendly. Unfortunately a decision is made early in the process about which box a proposal fits and currently something that requires speed reduction does not get to be a cycle scheme. Funding is critical too.
3.12 Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme
Continuing from the item above, Ashgill Road is one that we discussed with the City Council. As you can see from the photo, Ashgill Road is wide and lends itself to high speeds requiring a crash barrier on the bend outside the Community Centre, preventing people from crossing the road to get direct access.
Ashgill Road is in the north of the city but has not been designated as a cycle route, even though it connects to Balmore Road, a significant arterial road and is near railway stations. We were given to understand that traffic calming schemes are a 2-part process and the notice we received on 28 November proposing speed cushions was the Stage One consultation. We replied with this letter on 18 December.
We have since learnt that traffic calming using speed cushions does not need a Traffic Regulation Order and that there is local consultation at the same time as the statutory consultees are notified. Here are the plans of the speed cushion locations we were sent on 29 November: Full proposal, Plan 1, Plan 2.
We’ll be on the ball in future!
3.13 Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme
Here’s another wide road, in Shettleston, and the residents are concerned about the high speeds of motor vehicles. Here’s the email that we received on 29 November:
“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Duror Street) Traffic Calming Scheme
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.
Background to the proposed Scheme
The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.
Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
Duror Street
Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
- 5 sets of 4, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions.
- The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.
Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 20 December 2019).”
This is the letter submitted on 18 December, suggesting that the road be stopped up to motor traffic midway. As with the item above, from now on, traffic calming proposals will be published in these Digests soon after receipt. However, if you become aware of moves to reduce motor speeds in your locality do let GoBike know and do let your local council know that you want something better than speed cushions or tables.
3.14 Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December
Notes from Gartnavel Active Travel Route Meeting 18.12.2019 from GoBike member Caroline:
“The meeting was held to discuss plans to improve cycling conditions within the Gartnavel Hospital site.
Second Next Bike station, sited in close proximity to Hyndland Train Station exit – highly likely to be installed.
Additional covered bike parking requested, it was advised that there may be additional facilities required e.g. showers to promote cycle commuting to staff.
Connectivity with QEUH – it was advised that this will be reviewed as part of a wider NHSGG strategy to improve access to sites. Sustrans advised that they would welcome a Glasgow-wide application for matched funding.
Widening the existing path from Hyndland Station was touted as a possibility by Sustrans, but their rep was reminded of the conflict this could lead to between pedestrians and those on bikes.
Site visit- highlighted need for design improvements at the Great Western Road (GWR) junction and to connect the shared use path that runs parallel to GWR (continuing on road past the restaurant), desire lines across grass, asked why path wasn’t continued here – GCC were too late with funding, allegedly. Also Hughenden residents objected to cycle route running past their homes.
Second desire line running alongside steps down to Hyndland Station – Sustrans rep requested that a ramp be installed here. ScotRail have been consulted about installing a Falco ramp on the Underpass steps at Hyndland Station, but they might object as the stairway width is insufficient. The need for improved signage and wayfinding on proposed routes was highlighted, and it was requested that the access from Claythorn be improved to better accommodate non-standard bikes e.g. tag-alongs/ trikes. I asked what the longer-term strategy was to improve the hostile cycling conditions bordering the hospital site. Crow Road has been prioritised for 20mph limit, however Sustrans advised it’s unlikely to be implemented any time soon, improvements will be made to the Southbrae Drive/ Crow Road junction and access to Jordanhill Station but the future of cycling on Great Western Road remains unknown. I asked if GCC have an interim Transport Strategy to aid decision-making until the Transport Strategy is completed in 2021 but they don’t; Sustrans stated they are still using the Transport Strategy that related to the Commonwealth Games, which doesn’t contain much relating to those commutes starting outwith the city-centre.”
That’s a lot of information, but Caroline does make the point that Crow Road and Great Western Road are still not attractive cycling routes.
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Enjoy yourself over Christmas and the New Year. Your next Digest will be with you in January.