Previous Climate Change Plans have been pretty woeful for action on transport and as a result we’ve seen emissions from the sector remain unchanged for decades. So it was quite a surprise and a turnaround for Government to include a target to cut car traffic by 20% by 2030. Scotland is the first nation in the UK to aim for this so should be celebrated, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that Government hasn’t yet explained how this will be achieved. We know that greater investment in cycling is key to helping people out of their cars for short journeys so now is the time to make this point to MSPs and Government.  

Section 1: Current Consultations

(in date order for responses)

1.1: *NEW* Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 – update

A few days after the December digest the Scottish Government published its Climate Change Plan update (CCPu).  Parliament will be scrutinising the CCPu with the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee taking evidence on the transport section. Their call for evidence has a deadline of Tuesday 12 January so get your skates on if you want to provide your views.

Previous Climate Change Plans have not done nearly enough to present the strong ambitious policies needed to reduce emissions from transport and as a result transport emissions haven’t reduced in 30 years and transport is now the largest contributor to Scotland’s emissions by sector.

In the past Government hasn’t been willing to force people to change their driving habits so it is encouraging that the CCPu includes a headline target for a 20% cut in car kilometres by 2030. This is excellent to see, however, a setting a target on its own isn’t enough so the Government’s promised ‘route map’ to be published this year needs to be strong. We need to ask the RECC Committee to scrutinise Government’s plans.

There’s no extra money for cycling and walking beyond the existing £500m over 5 years commitment, which is disappointing because £100m per year is not enough if Government wants cycling to be a realistic solution for people to lower their carbon footprints.  

There is a new policy called Active Freeways described as ‘segregated active travel routes on main travel corridors connecting communities and major trip attractors’. There’s really not a lot detail on this in the CCPu so again in your response please urge the Committee to find out more about this emerging policy.

In general, the CCPu is moving Scotland in the right direction, the question is if it’s fast enough for the planet and does it do enough to encourage more cycling and meet the second aim of supporting a green recovery. Initial reaction from Cycling UK can be found here.

Closes 12 January 2021

1.2: Scottish Government – Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland

Consultation on a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland, taking into account the recommendations arising from the independent review of the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy. Chapter 8 is all about transport actions so lots of opportunity to say what we need for active travel. It’s worth looking at and responding, even if you only answer this one question.

Closes 22 January 2021

1.3: Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4): position statement

The Scottish Government has issued a position statement on the NPF4 and is seeking our opinions. The main NPF4 is still to come next year so this consultation is asking what we all think about the direction of travel. Achieving climate emission targets is a big theme in this document along with resilient, greener, better communities and places.

I had promised to analyse this consultation for this digest, however, time has run out so look out for thoughts on this in the February digest, due out on 12 February.

Closes 19 February 2021

1.4: *NEW* Law Commission (& Scottish Law Commission) – Automated Vehicles: A regulatory framework for automated vehicles

This 3^rd consultation builds on two previous consultations on safety assurance, allocating legal responsibility, and licensing AVs for passenger services and public transport.

If you are worried that this consultation may be full of technical ‘legalese’ (I am), there is a summary paper. And keep in mind the principle that for automated vehicles to be safe they need to be able to not just see and recognise cyclists and pedestrians but predict their movements.

During this three-month consultation the Law Commission welcome views on key questions including, the legal meaning of “self-driving”, a GB safety assurance scheme for automated vehicles, the extent of criminal liability, and access to data w to enable the regulatory scheme for AVs to function.

Closes 18 March 2021

1.5: A82 improvements survey

The survey set up by Kate Forbes MSP is still open for your opinions on which sections of the A82 Glasgow to Inverness road are in most need of improvement in order to reduce traffic crashes and collisions. Read more here.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing new here this month – still waiting on the below consultations.

2.1: Scottish Government – Permitted Development Rights (phase 2)

No news yet on Phase 2 of the consultation which will cover permitted development rights for e-bike charging points.

2.2: Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

No news either on any further Scottish Government’s STPR2 consultation. See here for more information and links to previous STPR2 documents.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: National Transport Strategy (NTS2) – Delivery Plan – 2020 to 2022

You may have responded to the Scottish Government’s NTS2 consultation which was held about a year ago. The Scottish Government has released its first Delivery Plan for the NTS2 which provides a little more detail on what actions will be taken to meet the NTS2 outcomes. The Delivery Plan was published just after the Climate Change Plan update and includes the standout policy to cut car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

3.2: The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Use Classes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020

Scottish Government feedback on the consultation, outlined in Digest 72, Item 1.5 is as follows:

‘Thank you for responding to the consultation on the Scottish Government’s Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland Phase 1 Proposals. 

I’m writing to confirm that today (18th December) we published the responses to the consultation, an analysis of those responses and that the above Order was laid in Parliament.

•             The analysis of the responses to the consultation on proposals for Phase 1 changes is available at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800044814.   

•             The responses have also been published and can be accessed at: https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/programme-reviewing-extending-pdr  

Alongside the regulations we will shortly publish an explanation of the changes to PDR and how we have responded to the views expressed in the consultation. This will be available at: Work Packages | Transforming Planning. In addition, we propose to prepare a number of pieces of guidance and advice for planning authorities and applicants explaining the changes to PDR when it is proposed that they come into force in April 2021.

This represents the first Phase in our programme of reviewing and extending Permitted Development Rights and we will now proceed with Phase 2.

Section 1: Current Consultations

(in date order for responses)

1.1: Scottish Government – draft Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP)

Government is consulting on a new 5-year Infrastructure Investment Plan to 2025/26. It’s very different in style from the current plan which was all about big projects and city connections, including the Queensferry Bridge, A9 dualling and M8/M73/M74 works.

This time Government has decided to tell a different story – one about grouping their infrastructure projects around themes of reducing emissions, inclusive economic growth, and building resilient and sustainable places. The story may sound different but many of the words are still the same! Plans remain for huge road infrastructure projects, totally incompatible with a climate emergency. These will lock in high carbon construction work and travel choices for decades to come. Government needs to realise that its new investment hierarchy needs to be used to reset existing plans not just influence future ones.

The IIP also includes no change to the government’s Programme for Government commitment for £100m for active travel over the next 5 years. As I wrote in a Cycling UK blog, this will in reality be a real terms cut in funding over the period, and, with changes to council match funding requirements, would see less spending on walking and cycling overall.

Transform Scotland has provided an excellent analysis of the IIP, and I recommend that anyone wanting to respond to the consultation looks at their presentation first. But hurry, only a few days left….

Closes 19 November 2020

1.2: Transport Scotland – Road Safety Framework

The new Road Safety Framework consultation to 2030 proposes that Scotland should have the best road safety record in the world by 2030 and a ‘Vision Zero’ for 2050. I wrote more detail about this consultation in my introductory blog last week and provided a link to a Cycling UK in Scotland guide to the consultation.

Closes 1 December 2020

1.3: *NEW* Transport Scotland – Free Bus Travel for under 19s

This is a short consultation asking if concessionary bus fares should be extended for people resident in Scotland aged under 19. This is a good move at a national level and perhaps a start towards localised free bus travel for everyone which could be transformatory for our streets and reduce transport poverty. See the Free Our City campaign from our sister group, Get Glasgow Moving.

Closes 7 December 2020

1.4: *NEW* Scottish Government – Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland

Consultation on a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland, taking into account the recommendations arising from the independent review of the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy.

Closes 22 January 2021

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1: Scottish Government – Permitted Development Rights (phase 2)

The first phase of the Scottish Government’s consultation on Permitted Development Rights closed this week. The big thing in that for active travel was the proposal to allow permitted development rights to cover cycle storage sheds in front gardens, back courts of flats, on the streets (cycle hangers), etc. Phase 2 of the consultation is due in the new year and will cover permitted development rights for e-bike charging points.

2.2: Scottish Parliament – Revised Climate Change Plan

We expect the Scottish Government to lay its revised Climate Change Plan in the Scottish Parliament in early December. Parliament’s Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee are then likely to coordinate the hearing of evidence on the revised plan. This parliamentary procedure will need to be squeezed in before Parliament is dissolved at the end of March for the election.

The revised Climate Change Plan will not be a full revision of the current plan but, instead, provide extra policies designed to achieve strengthened targets. Transport is the sector contributing the most emissions of any sector in Scotland and has not cut its emissions in 30 years. Policies are desperately needed to reduce private vehicle us, boost public transport and of course encourage more people to take short everyday journeys by foot or cycle.

2.3: Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

It has been difficult to keep up to speed with progress of the Scottish Government’s STPR2 through 2020 because of Covid disrupting the timetable. The new year is likely to see more work and potentially further consultation on the options – watch this space. See here for more information and links to previous documents.

More to come in December!

Mark Ruskell launched his Safer Streets Bill in 2017 and it is now making its way through the Scottish Parliament as the Restricted Roads (20mph Limt)(Scotland) Bill. The full details may be seen here.

The Bill has now moved to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee for scrutiny and this committee has launched its own consultation, which closes on 28 January. There is information about the bill and a link to the committee’s survey here.

You can help us support this bill by doing two things – respond to this survey and contact to your MSP. We pulled together some help for you to do those things below.

RESPOND TO THE SURVEY

The link again is here.

We need a 20mph limit. The reasons for a 20mph default speed limit include:

1. Consistency from town to town across Scotland. Drivers will expect to drive at 20 not 30mph unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of 20.
2. Consistency within towns. Drivers will expect to drive at 20mph unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of this. Currently there is a lack of consistency, with some proactive communities aiming to protect their schools and their local residential areas with a 20mph limit. There is an increasing number of city areas where local authorities are imposing a 20mph limit to make places more people-friendly and to encourage active travel.
3. Reduction in signage. As urban speeds go up and down there is signage at each change in speed and this will be reduced if the default speed is 20mph. Local communities will see the benefits of a lower speed limit and will resist moves to increase a limit to 30mph.
4. Reduction in pollution. As motor traffic moves at a lower, but importantly, more consistent speed, vehicle emissions will be reduced as there is less requirement to accelerate away from traffic lights. See link, (a), below
5. Reduced danger to pedestrians. It is widely recognised that a vehicle travelling at 20mph is less likely to kill or seriously injure a pedestrian with whom it collides, than if it is travelling at 30mph or more.
6. An improved environment for cycling. The speed differential between a motor vehicle and a bicycle is reduced from a factor of 3 or 4 to a factor of 2 or less. Bicycles can regularly travel at 10-12mph and more people will feel confident of cycling on road alongside motor traffic moving at no more than 20mph.
7. A reduction in motor traffic within towns. Drivers will tend to use the outer ring roads where speed limits are 30mph or higher rather than a more direct route through an urban centre.
8. A reduction in congestion. This would come as more drivers avoid urban centres and those who do travel within urban areas move at a more consistent speed, with less need to overtake etc.
9. Improved compliance, monitoring and enforcement of the speed limit. A consistent speed limit of 20mph, rather than one that changes across an urban area, will encourage compliance by drivers and ease any monitoring and compliance to be done by the authorities. See note (b) below.
10. Reduction in the requirement for “traffic calming”. Local authorities are finding it necessary to install traffic calming measures, usually speed tables or cushions, to reduce motor traffic speeds to no more than 20mph. This expensive practice will not be so regularly required with a default speed of 20mph (Note that traffic calming can cost in the region of £60k vs £1k per km for speed limit signage).

(a) – see point 4 above – this link from a contribution to the Guardian newspaper provides interesting reading, including this quote:

“Research in Germany has shown that the greater the speed of vehicles in built-up areas, the higher is the incidence of acceleration, deceleration, and braking, all of which increase air pollution. German research indicates that traffic calming reduces idle times by 15%, gear changing by 12%, brake use by 14%, and gasoline use by 12% (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39–40). This slower and calmer style of driving reduces emissions, as demonstrated by an evaluation in Buxtehude, Germany. Table E-1 shows the relative change in emissions and fuel use when the speed limit is cut from 50kmh (31mph) to 30kmh (19mph) for two different driving styles. Even aggressive driving under the slower speed limit produces lower emissions (but higher fuel use) than under the higher speed limit, although calm driving produces greater reductions for most emissions and net fuel savings (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39 –40).”

The AA have carried out tests, see this article, to support a view that lower speed limits raise fuel consumption and hence pollution, although there is no mention of the reduced acceleration and braking when driving at a steady speed of 20mph. However the overriding concerns should be to reduce the severity of accidents and to encourage the switch to active travel. This article, “Speed reduction methods to promote road safety and save lives” gives a good summary of what can be done.

(b) – see point 9 above – Enforcement is an issue, as it is with ALL speed limits, from 20 – 70, but, like smoking and drink driving, the public mood must change. However, some enforcement will be needed and, given the other benefits – fewer and less-severe accidents, for example, Police Scotland and/or our Local Authorities should be funded accordingly.

CONTACT TO YOUR MSP

It is really important that we visit or write to our MSP to show our support for the 20mph Bill,  particularly those of us with MSPs on the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.

Here is our official response and we also have a template letter here  with a pdf of that  too, that you might want to work from if you need some help getting started.

For the west of Scotland, the essential MSPs to contact are:

John Mason (Shettleston) john.mason.msp@parliament.scot

Richard Lyle (Uddingston & Bellshill) richard.lyle.msp@parliament.scot

Jamie Greene (West of Scotland Region) jamie.greene.msp@parliament.scot

As the bill progresses Cabinet Ministers will have the final say, so it’s important, particularly if your MSP is a Cabinet Minister that you meet them or email them. In the West of Scotland these people are:

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside) nicola.sturgeon.msp@parliament.scot

Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Region) humza.yousaf.msp@parliament.scot

Derek Mackay (Renfrewshire North & West) derek.mackay.msp@parliament.scot

Aileen Campbell (Clydesdale) aileen.campbell.msp@parliament.scot

In addition to all the points in favour of the Bill listed above, here is a reminder of the MSP briefing that Mark Ruskell sent to us:  SaferStreetsMSPbrief

This fortnight we have two new consultations in from East Dunbartonshire, plus high level previews of two Strategic Development Frameworks (SDFs) for Glasgow (the River Clyde corridor and Govan – Partick), as well as an update on campaigning for a 20mph default speed limit in our towns and cities.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, closes this Friday, 21 December
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road, Traffic Calming, closes Friday 04 January 2019, but views accepted until 11 January
3. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed Traffic Calming Measures – Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, closes Friday 04 January 2018
4. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed No Waiting & No Loading At Any Time Restrictions on Westerhill Road, Bishopriggs, closes 28 January 2019
5. The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019
6. **NEW** Scottish Law Commission Automated Vehicles consultation closes 08 February 2019
7. **NEW** Glasgow Strategic Development Frameworks for the River Clyde and Govan Partick closes 08 February 2019
8. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closes 11 February 2019

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow Battlefield, news of the website and next Design Group meeting
2. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, Transport Options Report Stakeholder Workshop Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon

Section 3: Consultation Feedback and other information

1. Living Streets, the Pedestrian Pound Report
2. Without consultation! Glasgow City Council Minor Cycle Works, upgrade to shared path North Street / Piccadilly Street
3. Glasgow North East Active Travel Routes
4. Glasgow Elmbank Street one-way – interest from Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, ie Oswald Street and Union Street, closes this FRIDAY, 21 DECEMBER

Please do write in about this. All the details were in our last two digests, 22 and 23, which you may read here. It’s important that we get good active travel infrastructure everywhere in the city, not just on the super designated avenues.

1.2 Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road, Traffic Calming Scheme 2018, closes 04 January, but views will be accepted until 11 January 

On Friday 14 December we received this email from the City Council:

“Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MAXWELL DRIVE AND BRUCE ROAD), TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME 2018

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:-

MAXWELL DRIVE

Details of the proposed Scheme

The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 6 sets of 4.5m long, 75mm high speed tables

BRUCE ROAD

Details of the proposed Scheme

The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 5 sets of 4.5m long, 75mm high speed tables

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant Scott Downie on 0141 287 9351.

Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.

Yours faithfully

Andy Waddell, Head of Infrastructure and Environment, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

We haven’t got long to get this back, 21 days, which means 04 January! However, in a  phone conversation on Monday 17 December Scott Downie confirmed that, given the number of public holidays coming up, views would be accepted until 11 January (and possibly after that). In comparison to Albert Drive, which we responded to back in October, see Digest 19 Item 1.2, cycle lanes are in evidence here, although for Bruce Road, there is reference to an “existing 750mm paved channel for cyclists”. This is only half the width given as the “absolute minimum” in Cycling by Design. In the phone conversation yesterday Scott also offered to have a look at the 750mm width to see if he could increase it to allow for cycles generally, ie including tricycles. If changes are to be carried out to the road to reduce speeding by “boy racers”, then surely cycling facilities can also be brought up to a good standard?

The three drawings provided by the Council are here: Bruce Road speed table spec Maxwell Drive speed table details Plan for Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road

This is not a Traffic Regulation Order; Scott Downie yesterday stated that one is not required for traffic calming. It is a notification that work is proposed and thus a standard consultation is carried out

If you know the area do please get your views into:  LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk

1.3 East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Traffic Calming Measures – Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch

We first reported on something very similar to this back in August in Consultation Digest 16 item 1.3. The roads outside Hillhead Primary School are subject to a 30 mph speed limit but drivers exceed this. We  supported the introduction of traffic calming measures with this letter: GoBike Newdyke Road speed tables Letter 300817

We have now received this letter and information, again by snail mail (and it got a bit lost in our system!): Newdyke Road 2 . The letter refers to a previous letter of 5 November, which we do not have, but it looks as if the consultation has been reissued because a speed cushion on Newdyke Avenue had been ignored – oops. The proposal is now to remove this speed cushion; its function being overtaken by the larger speed table at the junction (see the drawing included in the information).

We will be writing a similar letter to the one of 30 August to maintain our support of this traffic calming measure.

1.4 East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed No Waiting and No Loading at any time Restrictions on Westerhill Road, Bishopriggs, closes 28 January 2019

Here is all the information we have received, 08 December, from East Dunbartonshire Council by post (we’ll follow up on this to see if we can get details electronically in future) including the plan: Westerhill Road

This view on GoogleEarth shows industrial units on the south side of this section of road with cars parked 2 wheels on the footway, 2 wheels on the road all the way along. This obviously prevents effective use of the footway by anyone trying to walk, use a wheelchair or push a pram and there is the risk of “dooring” for anyone who is cycling along here on the road. Our reply will be to support the proposal and support the potential for increased active travel. If you know the area and have any comments do get them to the Council and do please let us know at consultations@gobike.org so we can submit a well-informed response.

1.5 The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Road (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019

We have been telling you about this bill in our two previous Digests 22 and 23 and we now have this extra bit of guidance for if you are contacting the MSPs specifically on the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee (John Mason (Shettleston), Richard Lyle (Uddingston & Bellshill)  Jamie Greene (West of Scotland Region)) or the Cabinet Ministers who might have the final say,  (Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Region), Derek Mackay (Renfrewshire North & West) and Aileen Campbell (Clydesdale)).

1. Consistency – from town to town across Scotland, drivers will expect to drive at 20 not 30 unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of 20.
2. Consistency – within towns, drivers will expect to drive at 20 unless there is signage that allows them to drive at speeds in excess of this. Currently there is a lack of consistency, with some proactive communities aiming to protect their schools and their local residential areas with a 20mph limit. There is an increasing number of city areas where local authorities are imposing a 20mph limit to make places more people-friendly and to encourage active travel.
3. Reduction in signage – as urban speeds go up and down there is signage at each change in speed and this will be reduced if the default speed is 20mph. Local communities will see the benefits of a lower speed limit and will resist moves to increase a limit to 30mph.
4. Reduction in pollution – as motor traffic moves at a lower, but importantly, more consistent speed, vehicle emissions will be reduced as there is less requirement to accelerate away from traffic lights. See link, (a), below
5. Reduced danger to pedestrians – it is widely recognised that a vehicle travelling at 20mph is less likely to kill or seriously injure a pedestrian with whom it collides, than if it is travelling at 30mph or more.
6. An improved environment for cycling – the speed differential between a motor vehicle and a bicycle is reduced from a factor of 3 or 4 to a factor of 2 or less. Bicycles can regularly travel at 10-12mph and more people will feel confident of cycling on road alongside motor traffic moving at no more than 20mph.
7. A reduction in motor traffic within towns – drivers will tend to use the outer ring roads where speed limits are 30mph or higher rather than a more direct route through an urban centre.
8. A reduction in congestion – as more drivers avoid urban centres and those who do travel within urban areas move at a more consistent speed, with less need to overtake etc.
9. Improved compliance, monitoring and enforcement of the speed limit – a consistent speed limit of 20mph, rather than one that changes across an urban area, will encourage compliance by drivers and ease any monitoring and compliance to be done by the authorities. See note (b) below.
10. Reduction in the requirement for “traffic calming” – local authorities are finding it necessary to install traffic calming measures, usually speed tables or cushions, to reduce motor traffic speeds to no more than 20mph. This expensive practice will not be so regularly required with a default speed of 20mph (Note that traffic calming can cost in the region of £60k vs £1k per km for speed limit signage).

(a) – see point 4 above – this link from a contribution to the Guardian newspaper provides interesting reading, including this quote:

“Research in Germany has shown that the greater the speed of vehicles in built-up areas, the higher is the incidence of acceleration, deceleration, and braking, all of which increase air pollution. German research indicates that traffic calming reduces idle times by 15%, gear changing by 12%, brake use by 14%, and gasoline use by 12% (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39–40). This slower and calmer style of driving reduces emissions, as demonstrated by an evaluation in Buxtehude, Germany. Table E-1 shows the relative change in emissions and fuel use when the speed limit is cut from 50kmh (31mph) to 30kmh (19mph) for two different driving styles. Even aggressive driving under the slower speed limit produces lower emissions (but higher fuel use) than under the higher speed limit, although calm driving produces greater reductions for most emissions and net fuel savings (Newman and Kenworthy 1992, 39 –40).”

The AA have carried out tests, see this article, to support a view that lower speed limits raise fuel consumption and hence pollution, although there is no mention of the reduced acceleration and braking when driving at a steady speed of 20. However the overriding concerns should be to reduce the severity of accidents and to encourage the switch to active travel. This article, “Speed reduction methods to promote road safety and save lives” gives a good summary of what can be done.

(b) – see point 9 above – Enforcement is an issue, but, like smoking and drink driving, the public mood must change. However, some enforcement will be needed and, given the other benefits – fewer and less-severe accidents, for example, Police Scotland and/or our Local Authorities should be funded accordingly.

Do remember the MSP briefing that Mark Ruskell sent to us,  SaferStreetsMSPbrief and please contact your MSP, particularly if they are mentioned above, to ask them to support this Bill.

1.6 Scottish Law Commission, Automated Vehicles Consultation, closes 08 February.

GoBike member, Derek MS, alerted us to this one, see this link and here’s the introduction from the News Release:

“The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission are launching the first of a series of public consultations about crucial legal reforms which will ensure the country is prepared for the introduction of automated vehicles.
This is an early milestone in a three-year review to examine any legal obstacles to the widespread introduction of self-driving vehicles and highlight the need for regulatory reforms.
The work will be crucial in examining how current driving laws – designed with traditional motoring in mind – can support the next generation of vehicles.
The consultation will ask a series of questions to examine the types of changes that may be required to ensure the country is ready for the introduction of automated vehicles. This includes questions on if and how road rules should be adapted for automated vehicles, who would be responsible for accidents and how to ensure safety for passengers and the wider public.
The review is part of the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy.”

There’s no obvious mention of how these vehicles will interact with cycles, pedestrians and other non-motorised road users, so we will be thinking about our response.

1.7 Glasgow Strategic Development Frameworks for the River Clyde and Govan Partick closes 08 February 2019

Here’s the message we received earlier this month, just too late for our last Digest, from Glasgow City Council:

“Help shape the future of the River Clyde and Govan-Partick

As part of the implementation of the City Development Plan, ‘Strategic Development Frameworks’ (SDFs) are being prepared for 6 areas of major spatial change across the city. These SDFs are key instruments for implementing the Council’s strategic priorities, linking spatial planning and placemaking objectives with the priorities of communities. 

The Council are now consulting on draft versions of the River Clyde SDF and the Govan-Partick SDF.. These SDF documents along with an introductory document providing further information with regard to the background and Updates on the progress of the preparation and adoption process for the SDFs will be provided on the Council Development Plan webpage.

The Council is now required to process personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  For more information about this please see our privacy statement.

All comments should be submitted by 4pm on 8th February 2019.  In the interim, if you have any questions or want further information please contact SDFconsultation@glasgow.gov.uk.

Best regards

Spatial Strategy Team

Planning & Building Standards, Development & Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council, SDFconsultation@glasgow.gov.uk ”

The link to the consultations is here and the River Corridor Strategic Development Framework is here.  The Govan and Partick Strategic Development Framework is on this third link here.

Please get your views in if you live, work or travel in these areas and help us to develop our response either by an email to consultations@gobike.org or on the GoBike Slack Consultations channel.

1.8 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closes 11 February 2019

Don’t forget to get your feedback in for this important consultation. Get your support in for an extension to the Bears Way, south to the Glasgow boundary on Maryhill Road. Plus other strategic routes are needed in East Dunbartonshire. There were details of the drop-in sessions in our previous Digest, No 23, see here . There’s news of the Transport Options Report, the first stage of the Local Transport Strategy here on the EDC website. Do have a look at it; all the drop-in sessions are listed too.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow Battlefield, news of the website and next Design Group meeting

Progress continues with the redevelopment of Battlefield. There’s a blog on this website showing the display boards from the drop-in event on 15 November along with photos from the day. The next meeting of the Battlefield Street Design Working Group, which includes GoBike, will be held on Tuesday 15 January. Further public events will be announced in due course.

2.2 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, Transport Options Report Stakeholder Workshop Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon

We have been invited by East Dunbartonshire Council “to a stakeholder workshop we are holding on the Transport Options Report on Thursday 24 January 2019 – 10am-12noon. If you or any members of your organisation can join us at the workshop, please let me know by Monday 14 January 2019.”

This is, of course, in conjunction with Item 1.8 above. If you are a GoBike member who lives in East Dunbartonshire and would like to be one of our representatives at this event please email our co-convenors to let them know at convenor@gobike.org by Monday 07 January at the latest.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback and other information

3.1 Living Streets, the Pedestrian Pound Report

Earlier this month, 07 December, we got this message:

“Today we launched our updated Pedestrian Pound report which puts forward the business case for walking. Funded by Transport for Scotland, it looks at 20 case studies across the UK which show how making high streets better for walking can boost footfall and sales. The report finds shoppers arriving on foot spend up to six times more than those who arrive by car.

Read our full report here

High streets and town centres that are walkable, accessible and offer a diverse range of retail, culinary and cultural activities have a bright future.  

Read our Pedestrian Pound report here and use it to inspire your local council to invest in your walking environment.

Many thanks for your support.

Stuart Hay
Living Streets Scotland”

Clearly walking, and cycling, are the way to go, so do use this report to strengthen your arguments for an improved active travel environment. We have added it to our ever growing Evidence pages on our website.

3.2 Without consultation! Glasgow City Council Minor Cycle Works, upgrade to shared path North Street / Piccadilly Street

Yes, that’s right, Glasgow City Council carry out minor works to cycle routes in response to individual requests and the new improved raised table across the exit from North Street to Piccadilly Street is one of them. It’s just at the turn off from the northbound carriageway of North Street into Piccadilly Street (outlined in red above) and concern had been expressed that vehicles were crossing the shared path too quickly. The path now continues at grade. There aren’t any road markings to announce this change to drivers as yet, but GoBike have asked that the council ensure these are added.

If you would like something to be added to Glasgow City Council’s Minor Cycle Works Contract do email in to either: sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk or LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk and then hope that it gets on the list.

And here’s further evidence that these small things get done, see: https://twitter.com/erniemarples/status/1074598863552565248?s=12 Well done not only to Glasgow City Council but to the people who report these small suggestions for improvments. It’s the small things that can make all the difference.

3.3 Glasgow North East Active Travel Routes

Just received yesterday – clearing the decks for the holidays – is this message from Glasgow City Council:

“Dear Ms Fort,

I write further to previous correspondence regarding the North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) project and can advise as follows:

The findings of the consultation have been reviewed and were recently published in a report available via glasgow.gov.uk/neatr.

A summary is presented below:

• Improvements to active travel and sustainable transport must come by supplying the conditions for encouraging positive choices that are either missing or currently unattractive.
• Enabling people’s choices by introducing enhanced infrastructure is critical to achieving these aims.
• The NEATR design proposals aim to reflect those priorities.
• A variety of individuals and organisations with a wide range of opinions made representations to the consultation.
• Support for most aspects of the proposal were found amongst nearly all user groups.
• Where written comments raised concerns, specific responses have been provided.
• Following on from this consultation, a detailed design is being compiled, taking into account the scope for improvements made evident as a result of this review.
• The design is expected to be concluded by the end of 2018, with tenders sought subsequently.
• Construction is expected to take place in 2019.

I trust this is of assistance; should you require any further information, please contact Wesley Wright on 0141 287 9478.

Tam McKee, Asst Group Manager (Sustainable Transport), Land and Environmental Services”

You might remember that back in August in Digest 16 we encouraged you to support these ambitious plans for the north east of the city, so we look forward to seeing the results.

3.4 Glasgow Elmbank Street one-way – interest from Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council

You may remember that for some time now we have been campaigning to ensure that two-way cycle traffic is allowed on that part of Elmbank Street between Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street? Here’s the e-mail correspondence: Sauchiehall Elmbank email chain 2017-8 which we published in November in Digest 22 . GoBike has now heard back from the local Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council, who might be able to help us. We will keep you informed, but if you live in Ward 10 Anderston/City please do ask your City Councillors what is the position here.

So that’s it for this Digest and for 2018. We’ll be back in January but, when you are writing your letter to Santa, do remember to ask for a few good quality cycle routes – and let’s hope we all have a Happy New Year.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow Underline Avenues Project, Sauchiehall Street to St George’s Cross, closes 09 December
2. Glasgow Secure Cycle Parking Survey, closes 17 December
3. Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, closes 21 December
4. The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019
5. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closing 11 February 2019
6. Glasgow, North Toryglen Green Space and Active Travel Design Proposals, ongoing

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Byres Road Cycle Design Workshop
2. Scottish Government Cross Party Group on Cycling, Walking and Buses
3. Connecting Woodside Project Update, 04 December update
4. Recent consultations as seen from the December GoBike ride

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow Underline Avenues Project, Sauchiehall Street to St George’s Cross, closes 09 December

This exciting project funded by the City Deal, will transform the route from Sauchiehall Street along Cambridge Street, past Cowcaddens Subway Station, and under the M8 to St George’s Cross. We had details in the last Digest 22 and all the details are also here on the Glasgow City Council website. Do please submit your support. It’s particularly important that we support active travel measures such as this just now. You will hopefully have seen reports last week, including the GoBike blog on the Glasgow Connectivity Commission Report and we need to add as much of our collective weight to counter those who may be gearing up to oppose active travel measures, despite the benefits these changes will bring to congestion, pollution and safety. We all need to voice our ambition for a healthy, vibrant people-focused city loud and clear. GoBike’s co-convenor Iona, has emailed this message of support, Convenor message of support 231118 to the team at Civic Engineers, in addition to our individual survey responses. The survey is very short so please do get those fingers on the keys to respond. It closes on Sunday.

1.2 Glasgow Secure Cycle Parking (for Residents) Survey, closes Monday 17 December

Glasgow City Council is now consulting on the provision of secure cycle parking for residents. The type shown here is what is proposed for tenements, with larger stores for tower blocks. The survey is easy to complete, and even if you personally don’t have the need for such a store, you can still add your support to the general principle of the storage being provided. It is not compulsory to suggest any location on the map at the end of the survey.

1.3 Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, ie Oswald Street and Union Street Bus Gates, closes Friday 21 December.

We put all the details of this in Digest 22, Item 1.5. The City Council documents are here:  CCTROv24Advert TS-5199-M-000-P-001A_TRO CCTRO(v24) Report Oct2018  CCTRO(v24)_SOR.  GoBike supports the general principle of what is proposed but we do have concerns that no cycle provision is included, particularly for Union Street, and the opportunity to improve the contraflow cycle lane on West Nile Street has not been taken. These concerns are contained in our letter to the City Council, GoBike City Centre Bus Priority TRO qualified support 201118 and we hope you will write in along similar lines.

1.4 The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January

This was another new item, 1.6 in Digest 22 two weeks ago, and we have since been in communication with the original author of this proposal, Mark Ruskell MSP, pictured above. Here’s the text of his email to the GoBike convenor, dated 18 November:

“Dear Convenor,

Last year I launched the consultation on my Safer Streets Bill. The bill has now been formally introduced to Parliament as the Restricted Roads (20mph Limit) (Scotland) Bill. Full details here http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/109191.aspx

Go Bike! kindly responded to the original consultation outlining your support for the proposal. It really helped us get to the point we are now and for the first time since 1936, we are on the cusp of switching to a safer speed limit on streets where we live, work and play.

The bill has now moved to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee for scrutiny and they have launched their own fresh consultation.

This stage of the process is crucially important in ensuring the bill receives the necessary amount of support to allow it to move forward in the Scottish Parliament. MSPs need to understand why the change to a 20 mph default is now needed.

If you could engage in the consultation I would be most grateful: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/109932.aspx

Any queries then please do get in touch. Thank you for helping us make our roads safer, cleaner and healthier.

Kind Regards,

Mark

Mark Ruskell MSP – Mid-Scotland & Fife Region, Scottish Green Party”

GoBike wrote this letter to him on 30 November GoBike 20mph support 301118  and Mark replied that same evening with this response:

“Hi Tricia,

It’s a real boost to know the bill has Go Bike’s active support, thanks!

In terms of further support, we are encouraging individuals and groups to share their experiences with members of the committee directly as their constituents by email or ideally face to face at a surgery.

John Mason (Shettleston) is the only Strathclyde MSP on the committee.

Additionally at some point the Scottish Government Cabinet will make a decision about whether to support the Bill or not and you have two pivotal members of the cabinet in Glasgow worth engaging with..

Nicola Sturgeon- Southside

Humza Yousaf- Pollok

I have also attached a short briefing which has a very supportive quote from council leader Susan Aitken about the bill which may be useful for engaging with SNP MSPs.

Many thanks and keep in touch!

Mark”

The short briefing Mark mentions is here: SaferStreetsMSPbrief and you can find details of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee here. Richard Lyle, MSP for Uddingston & Bellshill,  is also a member as is Jamie Greene, Regional MSP for the West of Scotland.

So a whole set of challenges for us all. The easy bit is responding to the survey if you haven’t done so already, but a wee bit more effort is called for if you live in Glasgow Shettleston, Uddingston & Bellshill or the West of Scotland. Mark has asked that you contact your MSP’s who are on the Committee. The third challenge is to contact your local MSP(s) who are Cabinet Members, Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), Humza Yousaf (Glasgow Region), Derek Mackay (Renfrewshire North & West) or Aileen Campbell (Clydesdale). Use this tool to find out who your local MSP and from that their contact details, and surgery times and locations are easy to find from the comfort of your own sofa, using your preferred search engine.

1.5 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan, closing 11 February 2018

In our Consultation Extra last week we copied you information from East Dunbartonshire Council about the Local Development Plan drop-in information sessions, starting TODAY.

Just in yesterday we now have the latest LDP Newsletter 48 – Dec 2018 which, we are told: “contains important information about our new Local Development Plan (LDP2) and Local Transport Strategy, including details of upcoming public engagement sessions & drop-in events.”

Here’s the list of drop-in consultation events:

• Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre Tuesday 4 December  3pm-7pm
• Leisuredrome, Bishopbriggs  Thursday 6 December  3pm-7pm
• Caldwell Halls, Torrance  Thursday 13 December  2.30pm-5.30pm
• Fraser Centre, Milngavie | Monday 17 December  3pm-7pm
• Lennoxtown Hub  Monday 7 January  3pm-7pm
• Lenzie Union Church Hall Tuesday 8 January  3pm-6pm
• Twechar Healthy Living and Enterprise Centre Tuesday 15 January  Noon-3pm
• Bearsden Hub  Monday 21 January  3pm-7pm

“The East Dunbartonshire Local Transport Strategy is being refreshed and the first stage of this is the Transport Options Report. The Transport Options Report sets out preferred and alternative options for active travel, public transport, roads and parking. The report sets out options for the whole area and options specific to individual community areas.”

Details of the consultation, which runs until 11 February, are available from the Council website: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council/consultations 

In addition to the drop-in consultation sessions, there is a series of workshops being held, details on the website here. You do have to book for these.

Do get involved if you live,  work, or travel regularly in East Dunbartonshire.

1.6 Glasgow, North Toryglen Green Space and Active Travel Proposals, no current closing date

Two weeks ago in Digest 22 item 1.7, we told you about the information sessions being held on 21 November by Urban Roots. They have exciting proposals for encouraging active travel in North Toryglen, with the potential for a green link from park to park across the south side of Glasgow. There’s information, including the outline designs here and there is an on-line form for your comments here. There is no closing date as yet but if you keep an eye on the website they will be adding more information sessions for 2019.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing new that we know about, perhaps more in the New Year which is fast approaching.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Byres Road Cycle Design Workshop, 20 December

GoBike, Space4PeopleByresRoad and Sustrans have been invited by Glasgow City Council to send two people along to a design session on 20 December. We think the workshop is to do with the design for accommodating cycle traffic on Byres Road and not that an actual bike will be designed, but there will be clarification in the first Digest of 2019, due out on 08 January.

3.2 Scottish Government Cross Party Group on Cycling, Walking and Buses, 28 November

GoBike’ new co-convenor, John Donnelly, attended the Cross Party Group on Cycling, Walking and Buses at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday the 28th November.  This was also the first anniversary of the new group being formed so the AGM also took place.  A presentation on the Transport Bill currently going through Parliament was provided by officers from Transport Scotland who are responsible for drafting the Bill. (Note: GoBike last alerted you to take action on this Bill in Digest 18 Item 1.2, the Transport Bill Survey and we had earlier in Digest 15, Item 3.1 asked you to take action in response to Living Streets’ call to write to your MSP about pavement parking.) A Commentary on the Evidence Sessions was provided by Transform Scotland.  Overall it was agreed that the The biggest fundamental problem is the increase in journeys and therefore traffic, however there were no demand management measures in the Bill.   It was highlighted that the best mechanism to get any changes to the bill was to communicate to key MSPs, in particular those in each party with responsibility for the Transport Bill and your local MSP if different.  The next meeting will take place in February and will discuss the next steps of the Active Travel Task Force. 

3.3 Connecting Woodside Project Update, out today

Hot off the press, today, 04 December is the latest Connecting Woodside Project Update with lots of positive news about the area. Many of us attended the consultation events and responded to the proposals so it’s good to see that there is progress

3.4 Recent consultations as seen from the December GoBike ride

The GoBike ride of Sunday 02 December took us along the Clyde, criss-crossing over the river at every bridge open to cycle traffic, from the Glasgow Science Centre to the industrial areas of Cambuslang. Along the way we went past the site of many a consultation. We’ve brought you a run down of what we passed.

3.4.1 The Clyde Arc/Squinty/Finnieston Bridge

This is the bridge, originally designed as part of the Fastlink Bus Scheme, the north end designed for traffic coming from or going to the city centre, the south end designed for traffic going towards Govan, that has now been opened up to all traffic and all directions. The latest change was one that GoBike opposed. It is a two year trial that will allow taxis into the two lanes on the left of the photo, to share with bikes and buses. You may see the details of our correspondence with Glasgow City Council in Digest 14, the final item, 3.3.

3.4.2 Clyde Place and Buchanan Wharf

We arrived at Clyde Place after cycling over the Tradeston/Squiggly Bridge, which is a core path, so open to cycle traffic. GoBike responded to the Traffic Regulation Order for Clyde Place with support for the closure of Clyde Place to motor traffic. We did however express great disappointment at the failure to introduce contraflow cycling on Bridge Street to allow people cycling from Eglinton Street direct access to the city centre. Here’s the letter we sent back in May: GoBike Tradeston Clyde Place comment and partial objection letter 010518

Work is now proceeding at Buchanan Wharf, just to the right of the photo, where developers are building new offices for Barclays Bank. One of the conditions, when taking over the land from Glasgow City Council, was that Clyde Place be closed to motor vehicles. GoBike responded to the Planning Application, see Digest 14, Item 1.2 and  was invited in to meet the developers in August. There’s a report of that meeting in Digest 17, Item 3.1

GoBike members Derek and Eachann have now alerted us to this visualisation of the site:

Looking carefully at the top left hand corner, just below the lighter paving, there seems to be a row of bollards across the South West City Way (note that with the proposals for the site, the diagonal crossing at the traffic lights is removed, replaced by this softer crossing). GoBike has queried this with the developer in this email sent a few days ago:

“I see that work is going on at Buchanan  Wharf and I hope it is proceeding well.

You will remember that when we met 3 months ago, 23 August, I expressed concern about the change in surface where the South West City Way crosses from the east side of West Street across to join the exisiting route? Setts are not the best surface for cycling and we would prefer the current smooth surface, although we do understand that you wish to identify the pedestrian and the cycle routes. However, concern has now been expressed about the attached picture that appears to show bollards at this location, and in the cycle lanes.

Could you please confirm whether bollards are, in fact, proposed and if so the type and separation? Good practice dictates that bollards are placed at 1.5m separation to allow disabled people to cycle and it  does look as if these are closer than that. You may be aware that there is a very successful cycle organisation, Free Wheel North based at Glasgow Green who organise led rides, the majority of them using the cycle routes along the Clyde. It would be very disappointing if not only ablebodied people were delayed by bollards but disabled people were prevented from cycling the South West City Way by bollards blocking the way to their larger-than-standard cycles.

I look forward to hearing from you,”

3.4.3 Glasgow City Deal Quay Wall

This was reported in our Digest 19 Item 3.4 and while not a consultation, this news from Glasgow City Council that the quay wall along the Clyde is to be repaired and upgraded see:  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23230 supports the work at Buchanan Wharf and elsewhere.

3.4.4 Glasgow Bridge

Our route took us north over George V Bridge and then back to the south over Glasgow, or Jamaica Bridge. You might have noticed that this bridge has a cycle lane separated by “orcas” or similar on the east side. There was no consultation about this as far as we know, but it’s very unfortunate that it has not been continued south into Bridge Street (see our letter about the Tradeston Clyde Place TRO in 3.2.2 above) or north into Jamaica Street and Union Street (see our letter about City Centre Bus Priority in 1.3 above)

3.4.5 Polmadie Bridge

As we made our way east, we cycled over the recently reconstructed and reopened Polmadie Bridge. The old bridge had been deemed unsafe, but there were lots of concern when it was demolished that the link from the east end of Glasgow Green to Oatlands would be lost. It was good to see the bridge being rebuilt earlier this year – it’s now technically the newest bridge over the Clyde, and it forms a great active travel link for all the people in the new properties to the south of the Clyde here.

3.4.6 Cuningar Loop Bridge

Heading on further east, the ride went through the Athletes Village in Dalmarnock, and over the bridge into Cuningar Loop. The connections to this excellent park area are a big disappointment to those of us who want joined up active travel routes. Despite requests, there is no link from the new bridge to the riverside walk/cycle way, and much of the village is separated from the riverside by fencing, thus discouraging active travel for the people who have moved to live here. We feel that this is an opportunity lost, but one that could still be remedied.

Before we set off today, our ride leader, Andy Preece, was presented with a GoBike award recognising the excellent work he has done, and continues to do, for us all. During the “dark days” when GoBike had very few members, Andy was the main person who kept the organisation going, managing committee meetings and AGMs, responding to consultations, and all the time using his encyclopaedic knowledge of Glasgow and surrounding areas to develop and lead fascinating rides to look at the conditions for cycling. If you join a GoBike ride (all info regularly updated here) you can guarantee that you will see something you had never seen before and go somewhere you have never been before. Well done Andy!

That’s it for now, but we’ll be back in two weeks’ time with more consultation news for you.

“This is a book that should be made available to everyone involved in designing for cycle traffic, from policy makers and their advisers, to those responsible for the design details. It should also be studied by those who think their responsibility is designing solely for motor traffic.

The book’s title signals its stance: cycle traffic is distinct from both motorised traffic and pedestrian traffic, and needs specific design decisions. It is taken as read that reducing the dominance of motor traffic on our roads is an uncontested good, given the benefits of increased activity levels and reduced congestion, noise, pollution and risk. Its standpoint is that people who walk and cycle become ‘vulnerable’ road users only because of decisions made by the designers and motorised users of the road network, and that the benefits of increased cycle use will be gained by designing out of the physical infrastructure the ability to create vulnerability. Sadly, this case probably needs to be made more explicitly and elsewhere to traffic designers still entrenched in the aim of maintaining or increasing the volume and speed of motorised traffic through our streets.

The book succeeds in its aim of providing a coherent summary and evaluation of principles and practices of designing for cycle traffic, referring mainly (and widely) to Danish. Dutch, US and UK guidance. It is clearly structured, with an opening overview, closing highlights summary and source references in each chapter. The principles of planning and design are covered first, then designing for cycle traffic on or next to the carriageway, routes away from roads, and then designing for crossings and junctions. Later chapters deal with more general questions such as modelling and auditing, and developing national issues and innovation.

The central chapters provide a wealth of examples of good solutions to common design problems, such as crossings and side roads, maintaining permeability for cycling through one-way streets, and the problem of motor traffic turning left while cycle traffic moves straight ahead. The author explains that it’s not his aim to provide a catalogue of poor practice, but a few more pictures showing the contrast with the good practice advocated could have amplified his message. As one example, the quiet statement in connection with signal-controlled crossings (11.4.2) that ‘[s]eparation of cycle traffic from pedestrians should be the norm’, illustrated with a picture of such a crossing, is far from the daily experience of many people cycling in UK towns and cities. A contrasting picture of a crossing shared with pedestrians with two stages and a narrow guard-railed island could have emphasised the scope of the change in thinking needed.”

Our lead on consultations, Tricia Fort, came across this book via her membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has now been asked to submit her own review, hopefully to be published in a forthcoming issue of “Proceedings of the ICE – Urban Design and Planning.” The book is good, it challenges a lot of the things we are told about road design, such as that one-way streets are one-way for everyone, or that shared footways are the way to go, and it is a really refreshing, common sense read for anyone who cycles.

The book does have some slight flaws:

• The photographs are all grey scale and many don’t have the definition required to adequately demonstrate the author’s point.
• There is mention of Scotland and Cycling by Design, but UK reference is generally to English documentation, one example being the omission of any mention of Core Paths. Bridleway appears to be the nearest equivalent.
• In the chapter on Planning for Cycle Traffic methods of counting cycles, such as cordon counts, are discussed but there is no mention of cycle tracking apps. At GoBike we have been very grateful to Bob Downie for the work he has done with Strava, and his latest work demonstrates a good correlation between the data from this app and cordon counts.

The author appears to have collaborated at times with Brian Deegan, who is one of the UK’s leading street design engineers and was co-author of the London Cycling Design Standards. Brian was brought in briefly by the consultants working on the plans for Byres Road in Glasgow, but his, and their, input appears to have been compromised by the City Region Deal constraints and council plans, and of course, we are still awaiting the final outcome.

Designing for Cycle Traffic is not yet available to download but Tricia will certainly be referring to her review copy in future responses to consultations.

Contents:

Section 1:  Current Consultations

1. Glasgow North East Travel Routes, closes tomorrow, 22 August
2. UK Government, Department of Transport, Future of Mobility Call for Evidence, closes 10 September
3. **NEW** Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September
4. **NEW** George Square, Glasgow, closure to traffic, closes 24 September
5. A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations – we’ve drawn a blank on this again.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Buchanan Wharf Development Glasgow
2. Living Streets Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

Section 1: Current Consultations – in date order for response

1.1  Glasgow North East Travel Routes, closes TOMORROW, 22 August

Do please reply to this consultation.  We gave details in Digest 15 two weeks ago but since then we have had the benefit of the consultation event held on 08 August.  The plans are not perfect, but they are ambitious, proposing a continuous route from Balornock to the city centre.  The existing cycle lanes are to be upgraded with segregation from motor traffic.  There are points still to be resolved, such as the crossing of Springburn Road, which we point out in our letter of response, GoBike NE Active Travel Routes comments 190818 but overall we are in favour of the proposals.  The consultation is here and the short survey is at the end.  It’s easy to do so please fill it out.

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

We listed this in Digest 15 and although it’s quite a long survey it does seem to use non-car terminology, so please respond if you can.  The link to the survey information is here and the actual survey is here.

1.3 **NEW** Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, EDC, Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September

East Dunbartonshire Council proposes to install 2 flat top speed tables on Newdyke Road at the junctions with Newdyke Avenue and Ivanhoe Drive in the residential area of Hillhead in Kirkintilloch.  The speed limit is currently 30mph, although 15% of vehicles exceed this and Hillhead Primary School is between Newdyke Avenue and Ivanhoe Drive.  Full details are in this letter they sent us – yes, by post: Newdyke Rd EDC speed tables and this seems to be a sensible proposal to support.  If you have a connection to the area please do respond.

1.4 **NEW** George Square, Glasgow, permanent closure of the square, closes 24 September

Glasgow City Council proposes to permanently close George Square to traffic, further to the short-term closure for the European Championships earlier this month.  The proposals are somewhat vague, with the word on the street being that the north side of the square will remain open to buses and taxis, and with no mention of cycles.  It’s a very short questionnaire but there is room for comments, so please add some to support active travel.  Please do respond so that we can get a reduction in pollution from motor traffic in the city centre.  The survey is here.

1.5 A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

A reminder about this survey, which we detailed in Digest 15 .  A deposit return scheme will encourage people to return their bottles – or to collect bottles to return – reducing the chance of us cycling over broken glass.  Friends of the Earth Scotland have analysed the proposals and have produced a handy guide to completing the survey (wish I’d seen it before I filled it in!) which contains a link to the survey, here.  You can choose their 5 minute or 15 minute option to completing the survey – please do respond.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1  Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow, redevelopment

We published the details for this proposed redevelopment on the south bank of the Clyde in Digest 14 .  Soon after the consultation closed 2 weeks ago we heard back from the Consultant Engineer dealing with the scheme.  We are invited to a meeting, date yet to be confirmed, with the Consultant and Sustrans, which is good news.  Even better, though, is the verbal confirmation that the South West City Way is in no danger from the proposals – but we’ll be checking this out.

3.2   Living Streets call for a ban on Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

We included this in Digest 15 and we do hope that you have supported Living Streets to ensure there is no ambiguity in the forthcoming legislation.  The link to the appropriate section of their website is here.

That’s a few surveys for you to respond to, and we’ll be back in two weeks with some reminders and perhaps some new information for you.  Take care when out on your bike.

Please help our friends in Friends of the Earth and Get Glasgow Moving to get better bus services in Scotland; a better bus service means fewer people feel they need to get cars, so more room for bikes on the road and less pollution.  PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO ADD YOUR SUPPORT.  It’s quick and easy to do.  The information that follows is from Friends of the Earth:

Scotland’s bus sector is in crisis. 

In the last decade, bus companies have cut routes by a fifth and increased fares by a huge 50%. This dramatic deterioration is preventing people accessing basic services like hospitals and job centres, causing social isolation and inequality. It is also increasing the dominance of cars, exacerbating toxic air pollution and climate emissions.

Apart from Lothian Buses and a few other exceptions, most of Scotland’s buses are privately run, and all too often profit is put before people. Under public ownership and well-designed franchise models, profits from busy bus routes can be reinvested back into expanding the public transport network, improving reliability and reducing fares.

The Government wants your views about whether to shift the balance of power away from private companies and towards public bodies. 

Take your chance to demand Local Transport Authorities are granted the powers necessary to run their own bus companies, or failing this, to operate well regulated franchises.

It’s time for a decent, fully-integrated, accessible and affordable public transport network for everyone in Scotland. Take action today.

This will be a response to the official consultation on improving local bus services and is supported by Friends of the Earth Scotland, Get Glasgow Moving, Unison, and Unite Community. You can read the full consultation document here.

Starts tomorrow.  Let’s hope people take note and there are fewer Road Traffic Accidents!

Here’s a video to remind us all that we need to cut car use!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKrejuEtP5w&feature=youtu.be courtesy of Brake, the Road Safety charity.  See what these children have to say about road safety and the need for space to walk, cycle and play.

At the AGM Transform Scotland launched their Transform 20 campaign: ‘As part of Transform Scotland’s 20th anniversary year we’ve launched a new campaign called #Transform20. This campaign focuses on offering an easy way for the public to communicate their ideas to transform transport in Scotland to become more eco-friendly, safer and easier to access.

Ideas can be simple and don’t require a detailed explanation. To submit your idea, please go to our website http://transform20.transform.scot, where you can submit a brief description of up to 200 words on how you think Scottish transport can be transformed. Your idea must be accompanied by a title (under 10 words) and there’s an option to upload a high quality picture to support your idea. You can also upload supporting documents or provide a link to further information if you wish.’

GoBike has submitted our Contraflow campaign to this page, others have submitted their ideas too.  Why not have a look and submit your bee-in-your-bonnet campaigning idea?

If you like our Contraflow campaign please send in your contraflow picture, telling us where it is, to campaigning@gobike.org and we’ll add it to the web page.