Here are the details:
For our infrastructure ride to kick off 2026, we will take a spin around some of the routes of Glasgow City Council’s Avenues project, concentrating on the city centre area. This will include visiting recently opened sections of cycleway, and also some that are still under construction. We will venture out into the inner city areas every now and then, and even visit what might be Glasgow’s shortest cycle lane! The ride will finish around lunchtime at Central Station.
12 miles, a mix of path, cycleway and city street, with one big climb.

We meet on Sunday 04 January, at 10:00 at the north end of Bell’s Bridge and look forward to seeing you there.
For more details of GoBike rides see: https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides

Snapshot of progress

The following is a snapshot of active travel works in and around the city centre during May/June 2025.

Most of these are part of the Avenues Project (or Avenues Plus). Not all projects include segregated cycle lanes, for example: Holland St and Sauchiehall Precinct (but the latter has removed raised platforms so there’s more space for cycling). The photos give an idea of how things are taking shape. 

St George’s Road

Works started: 17 March 2025 (St George’s Rd article).
Progress: An earlier phase is complete at Charing Cross so works are moving north from there. There are already some improvements to side road junctions.
Connections: Charing Cross/Sauchiehall St at southern end. Northern end links to Garscube Rd as part of Connecting Woodside programme.
Completion due: Early 2026.

Sauchiehall Precinct/Cambridge Street

Works started: 27 September 2023 (Sauchiehall Precinct article).
Progress: Long-running works – western part of Sauchiehall Precinct (Rose St end) is finished with platform removed and new trees. Work still going at eastern end around W Nile St. Cambridge St also has finished sections but road still fenced off at Sauchiehall St.
Connections: Sauchiehall St, Buchanan St and underpasses to Cowcaddens Subway and Garscube Rd. In future, due to link to W Nile St Avenue.
Completion due: Originally summer 2024, should happen summer 2025!?

Pitt Street/Holland Street

Works started: Late March 2024 (Pitt St/Holland St article).
Progress: Most of Holland St is done – despite the name, it doesn’t have bike lanes. Protected cycleway is on Pitt St – mostly complete but fenced off. Slightly twisty crossing from Waterloo St (maybe designed to slow southbound riders?). Gradient doesn’t look too bad there but maybe a bit steeper up to W George St (by St Vincent St church – see main image, above). Lanes seem wider to accommodate faster descent. Works still ongoing either side of Bath St. 
Connections: Sauchiehall St to north and Waterloo St at south (West City Way/Connect2 bridge over M8).
Completion due: Was May 2025 but still bits to finish – hopefully not long. UPDATE: Pitt St lanes seem to be open.

Argyle Street (West)

Works started: 13 May 2024 (Argyle St W article).
Progress: Large parts of it are in place but unfinished, apart from the earlier phase in front of the JPMorgan Chase building.
Connections: Crossings at western end to path under Kingston Bridge from Clyde Walkway/NCN7. Also, to major developments near Daily Record building, like Platform (confusingly, the third place in Glasgow with that name – after the Arches event and venue in Easterhouse). Eastern end will link to Argyle St East (currently being designed).
Completion due: December 2025.

George V Bridge/Broomielaw

Works started: 24 March 2025 (George V Bridge article).
Progress: Mostly complete at southern end and lanes on bridge itself. Work still to do to link new protected bike lanes to existing Broomielaw route (may include installing bike-specific traffic lights?).
Connections: Clyde Walkway/NCN7 at north and Barclays campus/Clyde Place at south.
Completion due: End of June 2025. UPDATE: the lanes seemed to be open mid-June.

George Square

Works started: May 2025 (was originally meant to be January – George Sq article).
Progress: Boards have gone up around former parking lanes. The Spaces for People planters seem to have been relocated to southern side of road. Not clear if it’s intended for pedestrians or cycling (with ‘bus boarder’ ramps onto pavement in front of bus stop). Slightly narrowed lanes in new arrangement seems like they could cause conflict for the next year and a half. Statues have been removed for maintenance.
Connections: Avenue on N Hanover St. Protected lanes going in at north side should eventually link to George St Avenue (but it was put back by City Deal spending review).
Completion due: August 2026. 

North Hanover Street/Kyle Street 

Works started: 26 May 2025 (N Hanover St/Kyle St article).
Progress: Just started on N Hanover St where bus diversion will cause a lot of disruption. Kyle St has some areas fenced off and a closure on a side street.
Connections: George Sq at south, Dobbie’s Loan/Cowcaddens Rd to west and Sighthill Bridge off Kyle St at northern end.
Completion due: April 2027.

Cowcaddens Road/Dobbies Loan

Works started: 18 February 2025. (Cowcaddens Rd/Dobbies Loan article).
Progress: Avenues Plus route on Cowcaddens Rd had to have a sinkhole repaired by Scottish Water.  On Dobbie’s Loan work has started on the southern pavement. 
Connections: N Hanover St/Kyle St to east (and Sighthill Bridge beyond).
Completion due: April 2026.

Duke Street/‘Barras North’

Works started: January 2025 (Duke St article).
Progress: Another Avenues Plus project – works to replace northern pavement on Duke St are nearly there. The protected bike lanes will go on the southern side of the road (and John Knox St works will follow). The ‘Barras North’ project between Barrack St and Bellgrove St has new speed tables and widened pavements, with a protected bike lane near completion on Melbourne St. Also, there’s been work on a crossing at Bellgrove St near the station.
Connections: At east, path through future ‘linear park’ and sheds development at Meat Market, off Duke St/Melbourne St. At the western end, future High St and George St Avenues. 
Completion due: April 2026.

Make or break

While not every detail will be perfect, and works can drag on, it’s clear there’s a lot happening. Once these are complete there will be the bones of a network of segregated cycleways around much of the city centre. We’ll still need to look at the gaps but there are further plans in the pipeline. It’s good to reflect on progress every so often and give credit where it’s due.

There’s a lot riding on the success of the Avenues project for active travel and the city in general. The disruption and pricetag mean there will be plenty of criticism (much of it from people who live outside the city). If we want more Avenues, and wider projects in the City Network, then healthy usage numbers from the above will really help the cause. And the more we (as individuals and as a group) can explain the difference they make to citizens, the better.

The heat is on in June with tight deadlines and tight spaces in South Lanarkshire and Argyll & Bute. Also, updates from North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire.

As the Argyle Street West TRO closes, an Avenues Plus consultation is due to open in the East End.

It’s also an important time for GoBike with our AGM on Saturday 3 June (World Bicycle Day!), our monthly ride on Sunday 4 June and then the Accessible and Inclusive Design Forum on the Monday.

Forthcoming events

Glasgow Avenues Plus – Duke Street & John Knox Street, Community Drop-in Event:
Thursday 15 June 2023 at Dennistoun Library, 2pm–6.30pm (and on-street along route).
An online questionnaire will go live on 15 June (on Ironside Farrar’s consultation website).
See further information in this Dennistoun Community Council article. 

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4
2. Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route
3. Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans
4. Argyle St West (Traffic Regulation Order)
5. North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3
6. North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey
7. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan
8. Devon Street Urban Park

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 4 & 5)
2. Muir Street, Motherwell – Transport facilities open

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City TROs
3. North Lanarkshire TROs

Section 1: Current Consultations
(in date order for responses)

1.1: East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Area: West Mains Road at its eastern end, from Creighton Grove to the Priestknowe (Three Bears) roundabout.
Subject: Section of W Mains Rd past housing to link to bike paths on Churchill Ave. There are two options to continue east of the existing 1-way cycletracks (from zebra crossing). Option 1 has a short 2-way cycletrack then shared path, with green space made into a ‘pocket park’ (keeping most parking bays). Option 2 is mostly 2-way cycletrack, except for short breaks at disabled parking bays, then shared path round corner at roundabout. The latter would remove most of the current car parking spaces and convert the grass area into a residents car park. While the council have to keep residents on-side, it’s a bit of a Hobson’s choice between the two options. Also, SLC haven’t addressed links from Creighton Grove up to Hunter Community Health Centre and Andrew St, which need resurfacing/re-signed.
Featured: Digest 110, 2.3.
Website links: East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4 webpage.
Deadline: 2 June 2023.

1.2: Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route

Council: Argyll & Bute.
Area: Coast north from Dunoon ferry terminal to Hunter’s Quay ferry terminal.
Subject: A rare appearance by A&BC with an active travel route to link two ports. Consultants Stantec say: “The proposed active travel route was subject to engagement work in 2018-2019 and is now being revisited due to a change in national cycle design standards. Draft concept designs will be produced for the entire route.  Due to the limited street space on the section of route between James Street and Hunters Quay Ferry Terminal, three potential options are presented for further consideration prior to developing designs.” The impact of new standards is shown in option 2 for Hunter’s Quay – potentially repositioning a sea wall!
Website links: Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel consultation.
Deadline: 6 June 2023.

1.3: Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Two sites are being redeveloped – part of Ayrshire Central Hospital’s grounds and Montgomerie Park in Irvine, either side of the A78. Both housing plans include accessible homes and walking/cycling links. Montgomerie Park seems to include a cycle path alongside the site, which links to an existing off-road path, but there isn’t much detail on width or design. Each development is due to have an in-person consultation event:
Ayrshire Central Hospital – 6 June 2023, 4pm–6pm at Castlepark Community Centre.
Montgomerie Park – 13 June 2023, 4pm–6pm at Lanfine Community Centre.
Featured: Digest 120, 1.6.
Website links: Ayrshire Central Hospital revised draft plans and Montgomerie Park consultation revised draft plans.
Deadline: 16 June 2023.

1.4: Argyle St West (Traffic Regulation Order)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The public (Stage 2) TRO is out for this Avenues project. GoBike wrote to the council about the plans at Stage 1 (consultees only). GCC’s reply went into some technical details. The project was on hold during the pandemic so designs date from before the update of Cycling by Design (2021). Existing roadspace becomes one-way cycle lane weaved around car parking bays. We’ve previously heard that the shallow Argyle St rail tunnel dictates where ‘rain gardens’ can go. Apparently, that’s why the plans have planting nearer buildings and the cycle lane at the kerb. However, the zigzag bike lanes will be seen as Glasgow’s answer to the notorious lanes on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. Western Argyle St may not be as busy but large developments west of the M8 will soon increase footfall. The order also covers the ‘Hielenman’s umbrella’ and one-ways on Albion St/Shuttle St (Merchant City).
Featured: Digest 101, 2.2.
Website links: GCC Proposed TROs, Argyle St West TRO documents.
Deadline: 19 June 2023 (typo in original date, it was 9th – apologies).

1.5: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: First consultation stage for the next Local Development Plan by North Ayrshire. It may be one of the first in Scotland under the new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4 came into force in February 2023). As a result, it should have more emphasis on the environment, including active travel. Getting cycling routes/networks, developer obligations, etc. mentioned in the LDP makes them more likely to be delivered. Also, if developers proposals miss out or go against the LDP, these give people grounds to object and have plans altered or conditions added.
Website links: North Ayrshire LDP3 consultation website.
Deadline: June 28 2023.

1.6: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: Survey and audit data to feed into an Open Space Strategy and other policies. NLC avoid on-street protected cycle lanes, so anything affecting off-street paths could have a big impact on cycling in the county. Areas like the Seven Lochs Wetland Park have cross-border active travel routes (Hogganfield Loch to Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge). NL’s other country parks, Palacerigg (see above) and especially Strathclyde Park, are also havens for active travel. The latter has added and upgraded paths near Bellshill with more of NCN74 due to be re-routed through the park. The council ignored a GoBike suggestion for links between Strathclyde Park, Duchess Park, Ravenscraig and the existing Greenlink route (as part of redevelopment of Airbles Rd). There’s potential for similar links around some of North Lanarkshire’s dozen nature reserves. The consultation has a general survey and one about specific places that are important to visitors or residents.
Website links: Green and open space surveys.
Deadline: 10 July 2023.

1.7: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

Organisation: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
Area: The park ranges from Loch Eck and Loch Goil in the west to Loch Earn and Callander in the east. Also, from Killin and Crianlarich in the north to Balloch in the south (but it misses out Helensburgh and Gare Loch).
Subject: A wide-ranging five year plan for the park. It includes a section on ‘Low Carbon Travel for Everyone’. Cycle routes and active travel are mentioned briefly but most of the section is about buses. That may make sense, considering the size of the park, but it’s still a bit disappointing. There’s already a cycle route from Balloch up the west side of Loch Lomond (and there were plans for an active travel route to Inverarnan as part of A82 works). Active travel paths were extended along the River Goil in 2021 and there seems to be plenty of scope for more.
Website links: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Commonplace site.
Deadline: 19 July 2023.

1.8: Devon Street Urban Park

Organisation: Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS).
Area: Southside between Eglinton St and Pollokshaws Rd.
Subject: Formerly GUS M74, now revised and renamed… “The Devon Street Urban Park project is a proposal from Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS), a community led organisation, that aims to transform an unused area of land under the canopy of the M74 motorway, on the southside of Glasgow, to create a new public urban park and community leisure space.” While the project still involves building a skatepark it seems to have broadened out a bit to gain more community support. There are new partner organisations on board and a new survey to fill in.
Featured: Digest 92, Item 1.14.
Website links: Devon St survey, new GUS website.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 4 & 5)

Subject: An important report from the council about how the City Network will be delivered. The main headline is the phasing and distances planned. Phases 0–3 were covered in previous Digests. No exact timescales were given except that whole network is intended to be complete within ten years (or 2030 in some reports).
Phase 4 – Drumchapel–Anniesland (6km), Robroyston (6km), Ruchazie (11km), King’s Park–Carmunnock (14km).
Phase 5 – Anniesland–Partick (6km), Kelvindale (8km), Tollcross–Garrowhill (13km), Nitshill (7km).
The spread of distances in these phases goes from 14km in King’s Park–Carmunnock down to 6km for Anniesland or Robroyston.
The report also says: “While a phasing plan has been developed for the City Network, this has to be regarded as indicative. It is critically important that delivery is flexible and reactive to take advantage of any development and funding opportunities which may emerge. As such, phasing proposals will be regularly reviewed.”
Featured: Digest 134, 2.1, Digest 135, 2.1.
Website links: City Network – Delivery Plan report.

2.2: Muir Street, Motherwell – Transport facilities open

Subject: North Lanarkshire Council sent the following:
“Work on the new transport hub at Muir Street in Motherwell is now complete.
The expanded bus stop next to Motherwell Rail Station is open, with a refurbished shelter and space for four buses. Real time information signs will be installed soon. 
A new access road and path runs between Hamilton Road and the station, with a rank for eight taxis, parking for blue badge holders, and drop off spaces has opened. The feeder taxi rank on High Road is also still available. Cycle parking is available in front of the station. Scotrail’s improvement work at Motherwell train station will be complete by the end of June. The transport hub project is being funded jointly by Transport Scotland, SPT, North Lanarkshire Council, through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and ScotRail.”
It’s good to see the new facilities finally finished (original date was summer 2022).
Featured: Digest 92, 3.1.
Website links: North Lanarkshire Council, Muir Street page.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Areas: Bishopbriggs.
Subject: A TRO about parking named ‘Thrums & Ochil’ (for Linnhe Ave, Ochil Rd and Thrums Ave, Bishopbriggs). Made on 24 April to take effect on 12 June 2023.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: See Argyle St West, above. There’s also a parking TRO for Springhill Parkway (and Springcroft Road), Baillieston – near Easterhouse train station.
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Areas: Towns and villages throughout the county.
Subject: Part-time 20 miles per hour speed restrictions – many around schools. Various Roads (Central region) covers Airdrie, Bellshill, Calderbank, Caldercruix, Coatbridge, Plains and Tannochside (page says Uddingston). Deadline: 14 June.
Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

Major changes are proposed for Cowcaddens Rd/Dobbie’s Loan (visual of Port Dundas Rd, above). Another Avenues project on Pitt St has a Traffic Regulation Order, as does the East City Way on London Rd. It’s last call for St George’s Rd but more from Connecting Woodside in Glasgow’s TROs. 

East Renfrewshire’s Local Action Plans close soon but Balgray Connections is open a bit longer. East Dunbartonshire have extended one consultation and started a major one about the Springburn Rd/Kirkintilloch Rd ‘corridor’. Also, good news from Inverclyde.

1: Current Consultations

1. St George’s Road – Phase 2
2. Giffnock Local Action Plan map
3. Clarkston Local Action Plan map
4. Eaglesham Local Action Plan map
5. Lennoxtown Main Street Improvement Project Consultation
6. Balgray Connections
7. A803 Corridor Improvements Project (Springburn Rd)
8. Cowcaddens Road & Dobbie’s Loan (Avenues Plus)

2: Consultation Feedback

1. Greenock town centre to Battery Park SfP lane
2. Port Glasgow 20mph zone
3. Glasgow Uni campus redevelopment – October 2022 newsletter

3: Proposed Traffic Calming/Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City Traffic Calming/TROs

1: Current Consultations
(in date order for responses)

1.1: St George’s Road – Phase 2

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: Part of the wider Connecting Woodside project.
Subject: St George’s Rd, including remodelling the dangerous Charing Cross junction. A 2-way protected cycletrack would run from there alongside the M8 (with two options for the crossing at Phoenix Rd). It then crosses from the south to north side of the road at Clarendon Place, which would be stopped up at its south end (and re-opened at north). The route would continue on the north side of St George’s Rd to meet the protected lane already built at Garscube Rd. Also, it would have new pedestrian crossings at Woodside Library, N Woodside Rd and St George’s in the Fields.
Featured: Digest 121, Item 1.13.
Website links: St George’s Rd consultation (foot of page), storymap and survey.
Deadline: 14 November 2022.

1.2: Giffnock Local Action Plan map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Three further consultations on East Ren towns (following the five in Digest 112, June 2022). While each varies in size, all are relatively affluent and suburban areas south of Glasgow. All three have drop-in events but Giffnock’s took place earlier in the month. Giffnock includes Fenwick Rd, which had ‘soft segregation’ on its cycle lanes for a while before the temporary bollards were removed in spring (Digest 107). As well as the A77, a rail line goes through the town with only a handful of crossing points. The map has over 150 comments.
Featured: Digest 121, Item 1.14.
Website links: Giffnock Commonplace map.
Deadline: 14 November 2022.

1.3: Clarkston Local Action Plan map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Clarkston’s consultation comes after its neighbour across the White Cart Water, Busby, had its turn in the summer. The southern edge of Clarkston includes Williamwood High School, off Eaglesham Rd (B767), the subject of a current cycle lane petition. The map has over 260 comments.
Featured: Digest 121, Item 1.15 and previous Clarkston consultation.
Website links: Clarkston Commonplace map.
Deadline: 14 November 2022.

1.4: Eaglesham Local Action Plan map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: While many of East Ren’s towns bleed into each other, Eaglesham is more rural, between Whitelee Wind Farm and East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Also, it’s less connected, without a rail line or cycle paths to nearby towns. The map has over 60 comments.
Featured: Digest 121, Item 1.16.
Website links: Eaglesham Commonplace map.
Deadline: 14 November 2022.

1.5: Lennoxtown Main Street Improvement Project Consultation

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: Lennoxtown is known as the site of Celtic FC’s training complex. Despite being at the foot of the Campsie Hills, its Main St is not as picturesque as its setting. It has had some regeneration, including Lennoxtown Hub, housing the library and health services. Now a previous improvement project from 2019 is restarting – an initial survey is due to lead to refreshed concept designs for the Main St.
Featured: Digest 121, Item 1.7.
Website links: Lennoxtown project page and survey.
Deadline: 20 November 2022 (EXTENDED).

1.6: Balgray Connections

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Area: Balgray reservoir in Dams to Darnley Country Park, between Barrhead and Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Active travel paths added to Aurs Rd in Barrhead and Barrhead Rd in Newton Mearns. In Barrhead, it seems to be a ‘Quietway’-style route on Springfield Dr, parallel to Aurs Rd. It would have raised road tables at junctions and toucan crossings at Aurs Rd and Springfield Rd. At the Newton Mearns end, there would be a shared pavement around the M77 bridge and Westacre Roundabout. However, east of a toucan crossing, there would be proper segregated cycle lanes. These should go the rest of the way to Mearns Cross but there’s doubt about the design around bus stops (possibly due to accessibility concerns?). The Aurs Rd re-alignment project is the bit in the middle, due for construction in 2023–24.
Featured: Digest 122, Item 1.12.
Website links: Balgray Connections Commonplace map.
Deadline: 21 November 2022.

1.7: A803 Corridor Improvements Project

Organisations: East Dunbartonshire Council, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Area: Most of the length of the A803, Springburn Rd/Kirkintilloch Rd. It runs from the M8 through North Glasgow to Bishopbriggs.
Subject: Phase 1 of a joint City Deal project about how to improve the A803 corridor. In Glasgow, it’s a dual carriageway which is a barrier between neighbourhoods. It has some shared paths around it but none are very wide (despite having space on some of its verges). Towards Bishopbriggs it narrows to one lane each way and is a busy main road surrounded by housing, car showrooms and shops. There’s potential to link to existing protected cycle lanes at Hawthorn St and Fountainwell Rd. Also, to nearby train stations at Springburn and at Bishopbriggs. The A803 project will tie in with Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration. The survey is a chance to get protected cycle lanes into the plans.
Drop-in event – Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall on Tuesday 15 November, 12–6.30pm. Also, the survey is available in Springburn Library, Bishopbriggs Library and Leisuredrome Leisure Centre. 
Website links: A803 Corridor Improvements Project – Survey and A803 Stage 1 Consultation Boards (PDF, 71MB).
Deadline: 22 November 2022.

1.8: Cowcaddens Road & Dobbie’s Loan (Avenues Plus)

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: The length of Cowcaddens Rd from Cambridge St to Caledonian Uni. A section of Dobbie’s Loan between N Hanover St and Canal St.
Subject: Part of the Avenues Plus project, which also covers Duke St/John Knox Street and S Portland St (which had a consultation event in May 2022). Cowcaddens Rd and Dobbie’s Loan both link to N Hanover St and have a joint consultation. The plans for Cowcaddens Rd look promising, especially the radical redesign options for the Port Dundas Rd junction (in featured image at top). The Dobbie’s Loan plans also add two-way protected lanes (especially useful for students at Glasgow Caledonian Uni and its nearby halls). However, the lanes stop short of the trunk road junction, which leads under the M8 to Craighall Rd and Port Dundas. The boards include an updated Avenues phasing map (now with Block D added). A very short notice consultation event took place on 31 October.
Website links: Consultation landing page, survey, boards (PDF), plans (PDF), 3D panoramas and 3D fly-through videos.
Deadline: 25 November 2022.

2: Consultation Feedback

2.1:  Greenock town centre to Battery Park SfP lane

Council: Inverclyde.
Subject: The council voted to make the Spaces for People route permanent (as its SfP update report had recommended). The report also recommended improvements including a kerb between the footway/cycleway, resurfacing and dedicated cycle traffic light phases. There will be a focus on the wider section from Dalrymple Street, Container Way and Custom House Way (where the Coastal Path comes inland around Greenock Ocean Terminal). However, we’ll have to wait and see what Sustrans come up with in future.
Featured: Digest 108, Item 1.12.
Website links: Inverclyde Now article on October 2022 council vote and Inverclyde Now article on March 2022 council vote.

2.2: Port Glasgow 20mph zone

Council: Inverclyde.
Subject: Staying in Inverclyde, the proposed 20mph zone in Port Glasgow was also approved by the council. This includes changing the route of NCN75 to go along Auchenbothie Road and upgrading some sections of path.
Featured: Digest 115, Item 1.1.
Website links: Inverclyde Now article on Port Glasgow 20mph decision.

2.3: Glasgow Uni campus redevelopment – October 2022 newsletter

Organisation: Glasgow Uni.
Subject: Work continues in the West End on Glasgow Uni’s new buildings. Also, the landscape outside them, including rain gardens to protect against flooding (pictured, above). The zigzag path could make for a technical descent/climb (but at least it seems to be lit). Hopefully other entrances to the site are a bit more direct. Some at the south-west of the site may be disrupted from January, when Byres Rd’s redevelopment is due to start.
Website links: Campus redevelopment newsletter – October 2022.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Areas: Bearsden (‘MacFarlane etc Redetermination’) and Bishopbriggs (Linnhe Ave and Schools Orders).
Subject: Orders to redetermine footways and parking restrictions.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs (at foot of Roadworks page).

3.2: Glasgow City Traffic Calming/TROs

Areas: City-wide.
Subject: TROs – Pitt Street‘s TRO is, confusingly, called Holland St Avenue (apparently the lane was going there before a rethink). Pitt St will link between the protected cycle lanes on Sauchiehall St (Avenue) and Waterloo St (West City Way/Connect2). This TRO only sets restrictions but the council’s plans for Pitt St (PDF) are shown too. Apart from the tricky junction at Waterloo St, the red lanes look more straightforward than the buff-coloured section at the new Moda development (old police station site). However, there is a pretty steep slope going north between Bothwell St and W George Lane. GoBike asked the council about some of these issues earlier in the process. We got a detailed response from the council’s Sustainable Transport team justifying their decisions. While “gradients of adjacent streets… are similar”, Pitt St is a few blocks longer than Holland St so is a tougher climb.
London Rd – a proposed TRO would set the scene for permanent phases of the East City Way past the velodrome (as seen in Digest 113, Item 1.4). It has its own complicated junctions at Dunn St and Springfield Rd (but the latter does convert a filter lane into cycling space). The council wants to build the project before the UCI Cycling World Championships in August 2023. Stopwatches at the ready…
Provanmill Rd and Cumbernauld Rd – two other Spaces for People projects near Hogganfield Park with proposed TROs.
Raeberry St – one-ways and a cycling only restriction proposed for the junction of Mount St/Simpson St (part of Connecting Woodside).
The School Streets order (for 19 primary schools) was made on 24 October 2022, as covered in Digest 105, Item 1.2. On the same date an order was also made for the Cardonald area (see Digest 97, Item 1.2).
Traffic Calming – Linkwood Dr, Drumchapel; Wardie Rd, Easterhouse. 
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs, Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Scottish Government propose to build “spaghetti junction” at Sheriffhall Roundabout on the A720, Edinburgh Bypass, closes 31 January
2. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February
3. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation period now extended to 03 February
4. **NEW** Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation, on-line, closes 09 February
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
8. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February
9. **NEW** Glasgow, South Side Car Club Traffic Regulation Order, closes 14 February
10. **NEW** Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, TRO, One-Way with no contraflow, closes 14 February
11. Glasgow, Byres Road, Byres Road Traffic Management and Parking Controls, includes cycle lanes, closes 14 February
12. Glasgow, Byres Road, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, closes 14 February
13. Glasgow, Byres Road, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 14 February
14. **NEW** Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event TOMORROW, 22 January
2. Glasgow Avenues, Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenue, 25 February
3. Glasgow, Transforming Pollok Country Park – Public Meeting, 04 February

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Fastlink Route, (Finnieston Bridge to Whitefield Road) Order 2015, Amendment No.1 20__, acknowledgement of GoBike objection
2. Glasgow, Ashgill Road Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns.
3. Glasgow, Duror Street, Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns
4. Glasgow, construction of Sighthill pedestrian/cycle bridge to start next month
5. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside Update, with news of new Facebook page
6. Glasgow Avenues project, George Square and Blythswood Square.
7. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden – Waiting & Loading Restrictions, approved

Section 1: Current Consultations

1.1 **NEW** Scottish Government propose to build “spaghetti junction” at Sheriffhall Roundabout on the A720, Edinburgh Bypass, closes 31 January

Here’s a message that has been put out by Alison Johnstone, MSP (Green Party), which is pretty clear and self-explanatory. New road construction means less money to build cycle lanes. Please respond.

“The Government look set to spend £120 million on a new spaghetti junction on Edinburgh’s bypass. We can stop them though. Government are consulting on the new junction now. Please take a second to object and ask them to invest these funds into public transport and bike lanes instead. We can’t just keep on pouring public money into building new roads like there is no climate emergency.

Take action now
 
By their own admission, the Government expects this scheme to increase traffic by 5%. Across the world we’ve learnt that if you build more road capacity it just fills with more cars and causes more pollution.

But the same is true with the alternatives. Invest in public transport, and the buses, trains and trams fill up. Build cycle lanes, and people get on their bikes.

Business as usual is killing the planet, and it’s time for change. The Government declared a climate emergency. Sheriffhall spagetthi junction is the first test of whether they mean it.

Lets make this clear and flood them with objections. Please take action and share the campaign now.

Yours
 
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian

Take Action Now  “

1.2 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February

This has been mentioned once or twice already, Item 1.13 in Digest 49 gave the details for this on-line consultation, do please respond before it closes. Here’s the link to the City Council’s consultation page where you have to scroll down to find this one.

The survey is quite short, so won’t take you long to do – and do try to ignore all the “typos” in the information in the Council’s consultation information!

While this isn’t one of the city’s radial routes, which are so important, a good cycle route out to Pollok Park from the city centre should get people to take to their bikes. You might wish to question why the route is two-way on one side of the road rather than 2 lanes, one each side? Another concern is cycle priority at side roads – including all the driveways!

1.3 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation period now extended to 03 February

There’s no reason given as to why this consultation is being extended but here’s the email that we got on 07 January:

“Dear All,

Firstly, we would like to thank all of you who have already provided responses to the consultation.

Many of you have also been in contact to request more time to complete your responses. We are happy to announce an extension to the consultation period.  

We now invite you to respond to the paper by 3 February 2020.

Our online portal for submitting responses will remain open until midnight on this date but we also welcome input in any format. Attached is a word version of the online portal – please feel free to use this form if you prefer.  

The consultation paper, summary and more details on how to respond are available on our project page at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/automated-vehicles/ 

Yours sincerely,

Automated Vehicles Team – Law Commissions“

Note that the word version of the online portal is not given here. GoBike uses WordPress for its website and this does not permit the uploading of word documents. If you wish to have the word version please request one direct or email consultations@gobike.org

Here’s the letter of response that GoBike sent in on 06 January. Be afraid, very afraid!

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation, on-line, closes 09 February

The Avenues programme has been quiet for a while but here’s a recent email that we received last week, headed “Glasgow Avenues: Glassford Street and Stockwell Street Online and On Street Consultations”:

“On 16 Jan 2020, at 19:56, Avenues <avenues@ironsidefarrar.com> wrote:

Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation

A multi-disciplinary design team led by Ironside Farrar Ltd has been appointed to deliver the second phase (“Block B”) of the Glasgow Avenues programme which will invest £115m in the public realm of the City Centre in the next few years, introducing a network of connected ‘green’ routes across Glasgow’s city centre. 

Block B includes Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenues.

The Design Team are seeking to consult with you – local residents, businesses and stakeholders –  on the draft proposals for these two streets in the following 3 ways:

1. You are invited to view and comment on the concept designs online at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues

2. Complete the Scottish Government ‘Place Standard’ tool online at:  www.placestandard.scot/start/glasgow-avenues-glassford-street-stockwell-street, helping us understand your perception of the street as it is today.

3. Drop-in to our on-street consultation: look out for out friendly rickshaw displays on Saturday 25^th January, where staff will be on hand to discuss the emerging design thinking and to record your opinion on the concept designs.

Please feel free to forward this email to other parties who may be interested in getting involved.  The online consultation is open until 9^th February 2020.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kind Regards,

Charlie Griffiths“

From point 1, clicking on the link will get you to the City Council’s Avenues page. Click on the down arrow at Consultations and then on “here” under “Current Consultation”.

Or you can try this quick link: https://glasgowgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=94c1feae990244afb5650b928f14c959

The questionnaire for point 2 is quite curious – very generic, but you will be able to comment on the dominance of the motor vehicle, particularly with respect to the large areas on Stockwell Street given over to car parking. Why aren’t they proper parks, with trees and grass and somewhere to sit?

We’ve been told that the consultants have 2 rickshaws that will be moving about but do look for them at the Argyle Street precinct or further south at the car park area. If you go, do please have your bike with you, or your children, or ageing aunt in a wheelchair – anything to demonstrate that we should have priority over all the cars in the area.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

Glasgow City Council now seem to have an alphabetical approach to traffic calming with this and the next 2 schemes that have arrived in the Consultations mailbox this very morning, 21 January. Here is the email and attachments for the first, Ardencraig Road in Castlemilk:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Ardencraig Road), 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.

Please note that these proposals have also been released to the public by displaying on-street notices within the affected area.

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:-

Ardencraig Road

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

• 3 sets of 3, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions,
• 3 sets of 2, 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 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

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 (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

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

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the attached documents: Proposals, Proposals Section 1 and Proposals Section 2

It’s the standard approach to high traffic speeds, yet again, by the City Council, which is now proclaiming itself as “Glasgow – proud host of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) – UK2020” but where are the cycle lanes to the school?

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

Moving on to “B” and north-west to Cardonald, here’s the email from earlier today, 21 January, for these 2 residential roads:

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive), 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.

Please note that these proposals have also been released to the public by displaying on-street notices within the affected area.

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:-

• Bankfoot Road
• Wedderlea Drive

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

• 6 sets of 3, 1.8m, 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 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

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 Jordan Tracey on 0141 287 9173.

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

Yours faithfully” etc

Here’s one of the feeder roads on to the cycle lanes we so desperately need on Paisley Road West if we are to achieve the modal split required to save the world. Not many, sorry, not any, apologies for not reaching the target, the aim, no sorry, just an aspiration of 10% of journeys by bike this year, were there? Let’s look to doing better this decade.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

On that long Castlemilk Drive (singing along to Devil Gate Drive, a classic from Suzy Q!), struggling up to, or coasting down from, the top of the hill and the countryside of South Lanarkshire, motorists are going too fast and so we must suffer yet more speed cushions. Why can’t such concerns be declared as public realm schemes and then we might get cycle lanes, giving us enough room to wobble up the hill without danger of being clipped by a close-passing motor vehicle? However, money is tight and the COP26 delegates won’t be encouraged to visit Castlemilk, so we will be stuck with another rash of speed cushions. Here’s the email received from the City Council today, 21 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Castlemilk Drive) 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.

Please note that these proposals have also been released to the public by displaying on-street notices within the affected area.

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:-

• Castlemilk Drive

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

• 4 sets of 3, 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 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.
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 (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

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

Yours faithfully”, etc

Here’s the plan showing the proposed speed cushions: Castlemilk Drive plan

Note the active-travel friendly parking! GoBike will applaud the aim, but not the method, of reducing traffic speeds here.

1.8 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February

This consultation featured in Digest 50, Item 1.7 and here is the link, again, to the City Council’s consultation page. This consultation is the second item on page 1. We hope to have the GoBike response in our next Digest.

Note that the area it covers is bounded on the south-east by Glassford Street and Stockwell Street.

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow, South Side Car Club Traffic Regulation Order, closes 14 February

Here’s a consultation that GoBike responded to at Stage One – details further on – but this is the email for the public consultation that we received on 16 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SOUTH SIDE CAR CLUB) ORDER 202_

Further to my consultation email of 3^rd December 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant drawings, statement of reasons and detailed report.

The location proposed for Queen Elizabeth Gardens has been removed from this order and will be included in a future parking control order for the area.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Group Manager, Sustainable Transport, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G! 1RX or by e-mail to SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14^th February 2020.

Yours faithfully,” etc

Here are the documents referred to in the email above: Advert, Report, Statement of Reasons, Allison Street plan, Paisley Road West plan, Torrisdale Street plan, Kenmure Street plan and Albert Drive plan.

At Stage One we were given this information by email:

“Background to the proposed Order
This order is proposed to provide car club and electric parking on the south side at the locations below in line with the Council’s policy for sustainable transport and emission reductions.

Area affected by the proposed Order
The area is the south side of the city.

Details of the proposed Order
The order proposes the following restrictions as shown on the attached drawings:

• Electric charging and car club bays on Alison Street east of Langside Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Queen Elizabeth Gardens north of Old Rutherglen Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Paisley Road West at Cessnock Street.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Torrisdale Street west of Victoria Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Kenmuir Street north of Albert Drive.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Albert Avenue north of Queens Drive.“

You will see that Queen Elizabeth Gardens in the Gorbals has been removed at the Public Consultation stage, presumably because of local lobbying but GoBike objected, see this letter, to the inclusion of Paisley Road West. Paisley Road West is a major arterial road connecting the city centre to the outskirts and one of the most heavily cycled roads into the city; kerbside parking obstructs the construction of the cycle lanes we desperately need on this route if we are to meet climate change targets. We have had no response from the City Council to this well-argued letter written by one of our members.

GoBike will be responding to this public consultation but if you support our views do please write in to comment or object to the proposals.

1.10 **NEW** Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, TRO, One-Way with no, or perhaps with, contraflow, closes 14 February

The service road is a residential and shopping side road to the busy Carmunnock Road and at the Stage One consultation GoBike was told that “The Council have been made aware of road safety issues with the existing two-way traffic flow on Carmunnock Road (Service Road).  Therefore, a questionnaire was posted to the nearby residents to find out if they supported the introduction of a proposed one way system.  The results of the returned survey were 23 in favour of the proposals and 6 against.”
In its response, GoBike argued strongly that cycling must be exempt from the one-way order. Since receiving the Public Consultation email below, GoBike has emailed the City Council for an answer to the one-way question. However, we now note, from the Detailed Report issued with this public consultation that improved safety may be achieved by ” Providing a single directional route for vehicular travel.” Note the use of the word “vehicular”, which would not normally include cycles?

Here’s the Public Consultation email received on 17 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CARMUNNOCK ROAD (SERVICE ROAD)), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20__

Further to my consultation email of 6^th December 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads Neighbourhoods and Sustainability or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 14^th February 2020.

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Notice, Plan, Statement of Reasons and Detailed Report.

1.11 Glasgow, Byres Road, Byres Road Traffic Management and Parking Controls, includes cycle lanes, closes 14 February

You may be aware that we responded last autumn to the Stage One consultation concerning the proposed cycle lanes on Byres Road and submitted detailed questions related to the design of the cycle lanes. A major concern is about side road junctions where, to us, it’s obvious that all traffic (motor, cycle, pedestrian) has priority over traffic into and out of side roads. Unfortunately, the City Council appears to take a different view.


We informed you in Digest 51 that the 3 TROs for Byres Road had just been published but full details from the City Council arrived just too late for inclusion in that Digest.

Here’s the email that we received on 06 January, with almost no detail of the cycle lane design:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BYRES ROAD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to ByresRoadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs

Some of our members are busy writing our response and our concern at the lack of information on the cycle lane design has been voiced to the City Council.

1.12 Glasgow, Byres Road, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, closes 14 February

GoBike supports 20mph speed limits in our towns and cities and Byres Road is no exception. We supported this proposal at the Stage One consultation in the autumn and no doubt we will support it now.

Here’s the email we received on 06 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BYRES ROAD) (20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to ByresRoad20MPH@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs.

The FAQs are certainly not directed at those of us keen on active travel; here’s one Q and A:
“Can I park / load in the cycle lanes?
 Parking / Loading from the cycle lanes is not permitted“
Yes, the motor driver is still seen as the main customer – the the FAQs are the same for all 3 TROs.

1.13 Glasgow, Byres Road, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 14 February

Car parking on the streets around Byres Road is not normally a major concern for most of us in GoBike, but if you live in Hillhead you might have a different view or particular concern about this proposal? If so, do email consultations@gobike.org and we can include it in our response.
Points we have noted so far include the introduction of a second car parking permit per household (why should that be introduced in a city that’s trying to reduce car ownership, reduce pollution and will be hosting COP26 in November?) and the ridiculously cheap parking charges (even if they are the same across the city). Surely parking charges should be at least the cost of a return ticket on the Subway or bus and not just 80p per hour?
Here’s the email received from the City Council on 06 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (HILLHEAD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to HillheadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

The attached documents are here: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs.

This information was included in the Stage One email, but there is far more information within the Report:

“Background to the proposed Order
The proposal is to amend the existing Hillhead parking controls from a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ).
RPZs are indicated by zone entry signs which have a no waiting roundel to inform that no waiting is permitted at any time outwith the bays. The zone entry signs tell you to “park only in signed bays” with a no waiting roundel which means no waiting at any time. This is the restriction which applies outwith all the marked bays.
This order will propose the conversion of “residents only” parking bays to “shared use” bays in order to bring the parking regime in Hillhead into line with other residential areas within the west-end. Whilst all bays will become “shared use”, residents will be able to acquire a second personal permit and visitor permits, fees will be in line with other zones. Permits will also be usable in adjacent zones. The order will also include proposals to pedestrianise Ashton Lane / Great George Lane with service access limited to specific times and controlled by drop-bollards. Residential access to the rear of Ashton Road will be maintained. Cresswell Lane will remain pedestrianised.“

The private car is still at the top of the transport tree, it seems.

1.14 **NEW** Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February

GoBike member, Emily, alerted us to this consultation, which has a question on “Do you have any proposals that would improve the space around our homes and promote connected places and vibrant communities?” and the ‘vision’ and background refer to lots of relevant stuff about connectivity, walking and cycling, vibrant local areas, climate emergency, air pollution, etc.

Here’s the link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-2040-consultation-outline-policy-options/pages/3/

Do have a look and let’s get lots of responses in that mention cycling and active travel.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event TOMORROW, 22 January

Going hand in hand with Item 1.2 above, the on-line consultation on the SWCW extension along St Andrew’s Drive, is this public consultation event tomorrow, Wednesday 22 January at St Albert’s Primary School, 36 Maxwell Drive from 3:30 to 7pm. You may see details of the proposals at this link. Do try and get to the event if you can; there will be the opportunity to speak to the staff involved about the proposals.

2.2 Glasgow Avenues, Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenue, 25 January

Mentioned in Item 1.4 above, is this on-street, meet the people event:

“Drop-in to our on-street consultation: look out for out friendly rickshaw displays on Saturday 25^th January, where staff will be on hand to discuss the emerging design thinking and to record your opinion on the concept designs.“

We don’t have any more information but it should be quite easy to spot one or other of the 2 rickshaws that the consultants will have. If you are in the town, do look out for the displays; check out the area at the end of the Argyle Street precinct or the car park areas on Stockwell Street.

2.3 Glasgow, Transforming Pollok Country Park – Public Meeting, 04 February

On 17 January GoBike received this email from The Transforming Pollok Country Park Project Team within Glasgow Life:

“Hello,

Following previous consultation events, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life would like to invite you to a public meeting on the access proposals being developed for Pollok Country Park, as part of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project.

The purpose of this meeting is to share the proposals, summarise recent changes in response to feedback from previous consultations, and outline current progress ahead of a formal planning submission later in February 2020.

Transforming Pollok Country Park

Public Meeting

Tuesday 4 February, 6.30–7.45pm

at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Pollokshaws Road, G43 1NE

The meeting will include a presentation lasting up to 45 minutes followed by up to 30 minutes for questions.

We hope you can join us. If you’re unable to attend but would like to find out more, please email us at PollokCountryParkTransformation@glasgowlife.org.uk.

Kind regards,
The Transforming Pollok Country Park Project Team”

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Fastlink Route, (Finnieston Bridge to Whitefield Road) Order 2015, Amendment No.1 20__, acknowledgement of GoBike objection

Our objection to the proposal to allow taxis and authorised vehicles to use the bus and cycle lanes on this bridge was published in Digest 50, Item 1.2 We received this acknowledgement on 07 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Tricia Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, FASTLINK ROUTE, (FINNIESTON BRIDGE TO WHITEFIELD ROAD) ORDER 2015, AMENDMENT No.1 20__

I am writing to confirm receipt of your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order. Following the publication period, officers shall commence an analysis of all correspondence received and issue you with a considered response in due course.

Please note that timescales for preparing and distributing a considered response can be influenced by the quantity and nature of correspondence received.

Yours faithfully” etc

Let’s hope they are rethinking the proposal, especially since it is so close to the site of the COP26 Conference in November.

3.2 Glasgow, Ashgill Road Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns.

This consultation was detailed in Digest 50, Item 3.10 Our letter, sent in on 18 December, raised concerns that the GCC response to speeding on this wide road in the north of the city was to yet again install speed cushions with no thought to narrowing the road with cycle lanes etc. Note that no Traffic Regulation Order is required for the installation of speed cushions. The City Council response to our letter, with this email of 08 January, is illuminating as to how the Council currently operates:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

Whilst I appreciate your concerns regarding Ashgill Road not being included as part of the city’s cycle network, I can advise that this section is focused on reducing injury accidents throughout the city. The council has limited funding and resources available to implement traffic calming schemes and in order to make sure these resources are directed at the locations with the greatest potential for casualty reduction, a site risk assessment is undertaken for each request. This process assesses the location against criteria including the history of injury accidents, measured vehicle speeds and the presence of any local amenities such as being close to a nearby school or nursery

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.” The Local Transport Note also recommends a maximum spacing distance of 70 metres between each set of speed cushions, however, in this instance we would consider that the road bends at this location also act as traffic calming features.

Whilst I appreciate that drivers may accelerate and brake between each set of cushions, the Council are currently seeking to implement mandatory 20mph city-wide speed limit restrictions on appropriate roads. Should the restrictions be introduced, a reduction in the permitted speed limit would encourage drivers to maintain a reduced speed whilst negotiating speed cushions or any other form of traffic calming feature.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

3.3 Glasgow, Duror Street, Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns

Again, this consultation was detailed in Digest 50, item 3.13 and we submitted this letter on 18 December. To reduce speeding by motor vehicles on this wide road in the east of the city it seems to be a reasonable suggestion to stop most through motor traffic with a filter to allow only buses (and emergency vehicles) and bikes through but here’s the reply that we received on 10 January. Note that the installation of speed cushions does not require a traffic regulation order and that a filter, of the type we propose, ie one with rising bollards or similar, would not prevent residents accessing either side of that filter:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

I can advise that the introduction of a bus/cycle gate would require the Council to successfully promote a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The legal process of promoting a TRO is subject to formal consultation and public advertisement, is open to objection and can take in excess of 12 months to complete. The promotion of such an order also requires the support of emergency services and various other road user groups. It is highly likely that the introduction of a bus/cycle gate on Duror Street would lead to objections from local residents as they would be unable to park near to their properties. In view of the foregoing, there are no plans at present for a bus/cycle gate to be introduced at this location.

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.” The Local Transport Note also recommends a maximum spacing distance of 70 metres between each set of speed cushions and this recommendation has been adhered to in the design of this traffic calming proposal.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact” (name and phone number removed by GoBike)

3.4 Glasgow, construction of Sighthill pedestrian/cycle bridge to start next month

GoBike has responded to several consultations about the regeneration of Sighthill, and some might remember that this was a favourite project of the one-time Cycling Czar Councillor Frank McAveety? Who’s he? Some newer GoBike members might ask. However, the Glasgow (Evening) Times reported on 11 January that construction of the bridge should start in February, be completed in August 2021 and cost £19m. See: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18153032.development-sighthill-bridge-cost-19m/?ref=ebln

3.5 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside Update, with news of the Woodside ‘Making Places’ project

If you don’t subscribe direct to the Connecting Woodside updates then you will have missed the free family fun event on Saturday but there is a new Facebook page about the Making Places project that is working in tandem with the active travel team. See this link and if you live in the area do get involved. If you would like to ask a question to the project team about this update or the project? Email sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk.

3.6 Glasgow Avenues project, George Square and Blythswood Square.

News of the Avenues and these 2 squares and yet more consultation in today’s Herald newspaper; follow this link for the details. Let’s hope for the best that it happens.

3.7 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden – Waiting & Loading Restrictions, approved

The Traffic Regulation Order, which we supported, see Digest 45, Item 1.2, to limit parking in this area near the car showroom, has now been approved, and here’s the confirmation from East Dunbartonshire Council, received today, 21 January:

“Dear Sir/Madam

The Traffic Regulation Orders mentioned below has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 23 March 2020.

Attached are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the edition of the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which is published on 24 January 2020.

Yours faithfully
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ
Telephone 0300 12345 10 (Ext 8012)

Note Referred to:- 1. The East Dunbartonshire Council (Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive And Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden) (No Waiting And No Loading At Any Time Restrictions) Order 2020.
(See attached file: 200121 Killermont, etc – Waiting Time Order 2020.pdf)“

Good to get something in from outwith the city, but we do hope to get more positive news in before COP26, which will be upon us before we know it.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultation

1. Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), CLOSES THIS FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY
2. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January
3. Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January
4. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February
5. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Byres Road, 3 TROs now published on Glasgow City Council’s website, close 14 February

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. GoBike ride 05 January, to see what has been done and how much more is needed.

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), CLOSES THIS FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY

This is important, setting the tone for what comes next. If you haven’t responded to this on-line consultation yet, please do so by 5pm on Friday afternoon. Here’s the link to the survey and here’s the letter that GoBike has also submitted. The survey is easy to do, but do remember to be ambitious; Scotland needs transport systems to match its scenery, ie superb.

1.2 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January

This consultation finally closes next Thursday; we’ve been publicising it since Digest 46, Item 1.9 back at the end of October. Here’s the link to the consultation and here’s the letter we have written in to voice concern. It’s almost a fantasy world to expect automated vehicles to improve conditions on our roads but do have a look at the consultation for yourself.

1.3 Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January

This high-level document was first featured in Digest 48, Item 1.11 and here is the link to the City Council’s consultation page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find this one.
GoBike has submitted this letter outlining our views. Do please add your voice to the consultation.

1.4 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February

This on-line consultation first featured in Digest 49, Item 1.13 and, as you can see from the screenshot above, there is plenty of room for cycle lanes for a route running from the city centre to Pollok Park. Do please get your views in – the link to the City Council’s consultation page is here (scroll down to find this one) – although you might wish to wait until after the consultation event on Wednesday 22nd Jan (see Item 2.1 below) to respond.

1.5 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February

This is a consultation that was confused with Item 1.3, sorry about that, but we featured it in Digest 50, Item 1.7 and here is the link, again, to the City Council’s consultation page. This consultation is the second item on page 1.

Previously we responded to the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework with this letter in April 2019 and the St Enoch District Regeneration Framework in September 2019 with this letter. The response to this latest consultation will be along similar lines.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Byres Road, 3 TROs now published on Glasgow City Council’s website, close 14 February

We’ve just found out that the TROs for Byres Road, proposed parking changes, cycle lanes and 20mph are now all on the City Council’s website, see: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro
We’ll be having a close look at these over the next couple of weeks.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January

As mentioned in Item 1.4 above and in our Consultation Extra of 29 November, there will be a consultation event at St Albert’s Primary School, 36 Maxwell Drive on Wednesday 22 January from 3:30 to 7pm. You may see details of the proposals at this link.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 GoBike ride 05 January, to see what has been done and how much more is needed.

This is the route of the 15 miles or so of the GoBike ride on Sunday plus a wee bit from Glasgow Green to the start at the SEC.

Much of the infrastructure that we travelled on has been the topic of consultation and that is shown in bold – search on our website at www.gobike.org to find details. From the SEC and travelling clockwise our journey covered:

• West City Way (consulted on and constructed before GoBike records were kept on our website)
• Woodside – recent and ongoing consultation
• Garscube Road – included in the Woodside consultation
• The Underline project – one of the Avenues projects connecting New City Road under the M8
• St George’s Road – to connect Woodside to Sauchiehall Street
• Sauchiehall Street – the first of the Avenues projects to be constructed, from Charing Cross to Rose Street
• Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street – a further Avenues project to connect the Sauchiehall Street Avenue to the east of Queen Street Station
• South City Way from King Street via Bridgegate and Gorbals Street to Victoria Road and Queen’s Park – under construction
• Muirend to Queen’s Park Quiet Way – advisory cycle lanes
• South West City Way – constructed from Commerce Street to St Andrew’s Drive and currently under consultation for continuation to Pollok Park
• National Cycle Route 756

Well, that was shorter than usual but do try to respond to the consultations listed – the more voices the authorities hear, the more they will listen. No doubt there will be more in Digest 52 in two weeks time.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Glasgow University Campus Development drop-in session, TODAY, 12 – 2pm
2. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
3. **NEW** Scottish Government, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Pre-Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland, closes 06 September
4. **NEW** Glasgow, Cleeves Quadrant Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Kingsland Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Leithland Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September
8. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street, on-line consultation closes 13 September
9. **NEW** UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon offsetting in transport, closes 26 September
10. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park Public Consultation Event 10 September
2. Advance Notice: Byres Road Public Realm Traffic Regulation Orders

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. University Avenue temporary closures – free of motor traffic weekends
2. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 51, August 2019
3. Glasgow City Council response to our concerns on Parking Proposals for Mount Florida
4. Glasgow University Avenue, GoBike responds to the City Council’s rebuff of the Objection to the Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order
5. Renfrewshire City Deal, work starts on Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district
6. Glasgow, Beith Street, Planning Application for 48 flats, 19/02063/PPP to be built adjacent to National Cycle Route 7, GoBike objection
7. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street, consultation event 27 August

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 Glasgow University Drop-in Session for University staff and Residents TODAY, 12 – 2pm

Here’s an email that one of our supporters received yesterday afternoon:

“Please note that there will be a drop-in session for University staff and local residents about the University’s Campus Development Programme tomorrow (Tuesday 3 Sept).

It will be held in the Common Room of the Maths & Stats modular on University Place between 12:00–14:00.

Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions about issues including:

• Improvements to University Place
• Improvements to University Avenue
• James McCune Smith Learning Hub construction
• Future plans for the former Western Infirmary site
• Demolitions scheduled on Church Street “

We’ll let you consider the meaning of the word “improvement”!

1.2 Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

Here’s the GoBike response to this consultation and here are the main points of interest and concern.

• Many of the statements in the Framework are ones we fully support, eg “fully accessible pedestrian/cycle routes along both banks (of the Clyde)”
• The current cycle infrastructure design guide for cycle infrastructure is Cycling by Design, which is almost 10 years old; we need cycle infrastructure that matches the world’s best
• We need to be clear that it will take political will and courage to transform Glasgow
• Streets must be designed for people, not motor traffic
• There is no time to waste
• Solutions need to be found for junctions; these are the danger points for active travellers and their design needs to be done before the streets between junctions
• Comprehensive cycle storage must be provided at all residential properties
• The provision for events to be held on Glasgow Green must ensure that through routes for walking and cycling are kept open

Do please write in to support our views or submit your own to ian.elder@glasgow.gov.uk

1.3 **NEW** Scottish Government, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Pre-Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland, closes 06 September

Transform Scotland have informed us of this consultation that closes next week, which has been called by the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, with this information:
“The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has launched a call for evidence on Pre Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland. The Committee is seeking views on the efficacy of the current approach to roads maintenance in Scotland and the adequacy of current associated expenditure levels. Particularly on the following:
• How have recent spending decisions on roads maintenance affected the quality
of Scotland’s roads, road users, businesses, public services, and the economy?
• If spending on roads maintenance continues at current levels, what could be
the likely effects on the above groups.
• How could any negative effects of reduced road spending best be addressed?
• Is the current model of funding and delivering roads maintenance, which is split
between Transport Scotland and local authorities, the most economic and
efficient option?
The deadline for submissions is Friday 6 September. For more information and to submit evidence please see the attached information sheet.“

Here’s the link to the Transform Scotland reference and here’s the link to the information sheet (repeated from above) with details of how to get your comments in; the email address for responses is rec.committee@parliament.scot

And, putting us to shame, our sister group in Edinburgh are ahead of us on this, see: https://twitter.com/spokeslothian/status/1165726542963650561?s=12

Here’s the GoBike response, in which we raise the need to repair “tram-line” defects in roads and ensure all cycle facilities are well maintained. This will encourage people to switch their travel mode from car to bike and reduce the damage done to our roads – and to our health. We’ve gone slightly controversial on the topics of contracting out and can we expect a good service if we don’t pay for it? Do read it, though, and submit your views by Friday.

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow, Cleeves Quadrant Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

Here’s a road in Nitshill, G53, almost designed for boy racers, but where are people supposed to walk, where are people, particularly children or the infirm, supposed to cycle?
The City Council has pulled the following out of the “speeding cars” drawer, in this email sent to us on 20 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Cleeves Quadrant), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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 as a recent speed survey found the average speed to be 34mph and the 85^th percentile speed to be 41mph.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Cleeves Quadrant

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        8 sets of 3, 1.6m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        1 set of 2, 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 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

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 (name and number removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Here are the documents associated with the proposal: Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 3. It can be noted from the drawings that the minimum gap between the cushion and the edge of the road is 0.5, which is a touch narrow for comfort and what might look like raised junctions are in fact red lines on the drawings simply denoting junction areas. There will be no treatment of the junction areas.
People who are aware of driver behaviour on speed cushions will notice that there is quite a gap between cushions for acceleration and deceleration! Could be noisy.

Here is the GoBike response in which we object to the proposal in its current form and we suggest that stopping the road off to through traffic, while maintaining cycle access would be a better option.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Kingsland Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

20 August was a good day for buying shares in speed cushions! Here’s the second proposal sent to us that day, for Kingsland Drive above and Thurston Road below, in the Cardonald/Hillington area, G52. The new scheme will start from the cushions in the foreground of the view above and continue west to Thurston Road.

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Kingsland Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Kingsland Drive
·        Thurston Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        5 sets of 3 (differing widths) 75mm high speed cushions.
·        3 sets of 2, 1.7m, 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 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

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 (details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully ...” etc

The plans referred to are: Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 3. It’s clear from the Google Earth shots above that footway parking is endemic in this area although I have been told that there wasn’t much when Glasgow City Council staff surveyed the area. This will already deter people from walking and cycling, and residential areas should be better than this. Where’s the ban on footway parking just when it’s needed?
Gaps between the proposed cushions and the kerb vary here from 0.6m to 1.0m and could easily be blocked by parked vehicles – when all the properties have private land off-road where they could store their vehicle(s).

This is the GoBike response in which we object to the proposals in their current form, suggesting that instead residents should be encouraged to park off-road and that chicanes, with cycle bypasses, should be introduced to cut sight lines and speeds.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Leithland Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

Leithland Road, in Pollok, G53, is the third on the list for speed cushion treatment and here’s the email received from the City Council on 20 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Leithland Road), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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:-
·        Leithland Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        5 sets of 2, 1.6m – 1.8m, 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 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

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 (details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Again this is a residential street that is being marred by the thoughtless storage of motor vehicles. It’s clear that some residents have taken steps to garage their cars off-road but others seem to think the roadway is theirs, as well as the footway. 20mph roundels have previously been painted on the road but clearly they are no deterrent to the determined driver.

GoBike has submitted this letter of response. We suggest that, similarly to Kingsland Drive, those residents who don’t already park off-road should be encouraged to do so and buildouts/chicanes, with cycle bypasses, should be introduced.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September

We are moving more into the leafy suburbs with the fourth of the set. This is the area near the High School of Glasgow and Jordanhill School and various sports facilities. Here’s the email we were sent on 21 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Helensburgh Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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:-
·        Helensburgh Drive
·        Jordanhill Drive
·        Ryvra Road
·        Seggielea Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        13 sets of 3 (differing widths) 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 11 September 2019).
Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact (contact details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Here are the documents sent with the email: Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3 and Plan 4.

As you can see from all the screenshots just about every property either has off-road parking or the capacity for such. You might also notice that every street in this area has setts in the gutters, which will make for bumpy cycling if you try to avoid the cushions by cycling at the edge of the road.

We consider that speed cushions are inappropriate here since they will push bikes onto the bumpy setts in the gutters. It’s very likely that the streets here are used to access Jordanhill School and we suggest that roads be stopped off to motor vehicles, leaving only one through route from Anniesland Road to Jordanhil School and that buildouts or chicanes, allowing cycle access, should be installed on that route. Here’s the letter of response.

1.8 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Prince’s Street, on-line consultation closes 13 September

The drop-in consultation events have been and gone and we have a report back in Item 3.7 below , but you can leave your comments on the Commonplace map. There is more information on the Connecting Woodside project here.

1.9 **NEW** UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon offsetting in transport, closes 26 September

Transform Scotland alerted us to this one, with this link. Here’s the link to the UK Government website holding the Department for Transport document – only 18 pages, so quite short for a document of this type!
The email address for responses is Environmental.Strategy@dft.gov.uk
If you have any views do help us out by submitting them to consultations@gobike.org and we’ll use them in the GoBike response. Thanks.

1.10 Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

We gave this link in Digests 40 and 41, Item 1.3 and we will be working on the GoBike response straight after the submission for the St Enoch consultation. Do have a look and put your own views in; we need a greater focus on active travel and public transport and the more responses the better.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park Public Consultation Event 10 September

This is the event postponed from 22 August and will take place at Pollokshaws Library on Tuesday 10 September from 12noon until 8pm.
There were links to the documents supplied by Glasgow Life in Digest 41, Item 2.2. If you haven’t been involved to date this is your chance to get along to the Library and give your views towards improving active travel in and around Pollok Park. It’s open to all.

2.2 Advance Notice: Byres Road Public Realm Traffic Regulation Orders

Exciting news – progress on Byres Road and let’s hope it’s good. Here’s the email that we received from Glasgow City Council last Friday afternoon, 30 August:

“Dear Stakeholders,

At the end of April 2019, the Council’s Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm Committee approved concept designs for Byres Road subject to further design development.  Design work is ongoing however the Council will shortly be in a position to commence the statutory consultation process to promote new Traffic Regulation Orders that are required for implementation of the proposed works. 

Following consideration it is proposed that three separate Traffic Regulation Orders will be promoted to address the following issues:

Byres Road- Introduction of 20mph Speed Limit

This order will propose the introduction of a 20MPH speed limit on Byres Road to improve road safety and bring speed limits into line with surrounding residential areas.

Byres Road- Traffic Management and Parking Controls

This order will facilitate the proposed public realm improvements in Byres Road, including footway widening and new cycle lanes. The Order will propose a reduction in on-street car parking bays, the introduction of protected cycle lanes, additional disabled parking, the removal of the left-turn filter lane at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road and the introduction of a one-way arrangement on Byres Road and Church Street south of the Church Street junction.  The location of bus stops, loading bays and taxi ranks will be largely unchanged by the Order, although a new daytime taxi rank is proposed at Church Street to complement the University redevelopment works.

Hillhead- Traffic Management and Parking Controls

This order will propose the conversion of “residents only” parking bays to “shared use” bays in order to bring the parking regime in Hillhead into line with other residential areas within the west-end.  The order will also include proposals to pedestrianise Ashton Lane / Great George Lane with service access limited to specific times and controlled by drop-bollards. Residential access to the rear of Ashton Road will be maintained.

Please note that this communication is an advance notice of the forthcoming consultation – it is not the start of the consultation.  Officers are currently preparing the necessary documentation to commence the consultation process in September 2019. Public notices will include full details of the proposals and will advise members of the public of the deadline for the receipt of written submissions outlining grounds for objection or support of the proposed measures.  All submissions will be reviewed at the end of the consultation period and revisions considered dependent on the level and validity of objections received.

Best Regards,

Chris

Chris Burrows
Principal Officer- City Deal (Waterfront & West End)”

We will be looking out for these and hoping and checking that they meet with our aspirations. We’ll keep you informed.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 University Avenue temporary closures – free of motor traffic weekends

Yes, you might have noticed that University Avenue was free of motor vehicles at the weekend and there’s another one coming up, 14/15 September. Here’s the email (with the important bits in bold) that one of our members sent on:

From: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Subject: University Avenue temporary closures
Date: 26 August 2019 at 15:09:44 BST
To: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>

Dear neighbour, 
University Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic in both directions over the weekends of 31 August/1 September and 14/15 September. The closures will start at 06:00 on Saturday and finish at 06:00 on Monday. The first will allow installation of a key part of the new James McCune Smith Learning Hub – the link bridge between the new building and the existing Boyd Orr Building. The second is to allow for the removal of the remaining tower crane. In both cases the road will be closed between the junctions for Ashton Road and University Gardens. The footpath on the west-bound carriageway, closest to the Wolfson Medical Building, will remain open so that pedestrians can still use the Avenue. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please note that the University and Multiplex will be holding a drop-in session on 3 September for our neighbours and staff. It will be held in the Common Room of the Maths & Stats modular building on University Place between 12:00–14:00 – please see map attached. It will be an opportunity to ask questions of the project team involved in the construction works happening around campus. For further information, please contact campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk or visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/campusdevelopment/

So it can be closed completely for two weekends but can’t accommodate cycle lanes for the full length?

3.2 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 51, August 2019

Keeping us up-to-date with what’s going on around the north and north-east of Glasgow, here’s the latest Local Development Plan newsletter from East Dunbartonshire Council:

3.3 Glasgow City Council response to our concerns on Parking Proposals for Mount Florida

On 22 July as we reported in Digest 39, Item 1.4, GoBike submitted this letter to Glasgow City Council objecting to their plans to introduce angled parking by making streets one-way in Mount Florida.
We have now, 27 August, received this detailed reply:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MOUNT FLORIDA), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
I can advise that these proposals have been implemented following discussions with the local community council.

Proposed one way streets
With regards to the proposed one way roads, the southern section of Clincart Road currently has vehicles parking parallel to the kerb on both sides, however, if the one way proposals are implemented, there is a desire from the local community to park their vehicles at an angle facing into the kerb on one side of the road in order to maximise parking provision.  The section of Bolton Drive that would become one way under these proposals currently has angled parking on one side of the road and parallel parking on the other.  As such, the road width between parked vehicles would be of similar width to roads within the West End of Glasgow where Police Scotland have previously raised concerns with one way except cyclists proposals.

The northern section of Clincart Road (between Cathcart Road and Florida Street) currently has vehicles parking at an angle on both sides of the road which leaves a minimal amount of space for a vehicle to pass through.  For the same reason as stated above, it is unlikely that Police Scotland would support one way except cyclists at this location due to the limited carriageway width between the parked vehicles.

The middle section of Clincart Road (between Bolton Drive and Florida Street) currently has parallel parking on both sides of the road, however, if a one way operation is implemented, it is possible that vehicles may change to angled parking on one side of the road.  If they continued to park in the manner as they do just now, allowing contraflow cycling within this small section of road could lead to confusion given that it would not be permitted on the other sections of Clincart Road.

The carriageway width between parked vehicles on Florida Street is approximately 3.8 metres however, as mentioned above, allowing contraflow cycling on one street where it is not permitted within its adjacent streets would likely create confusion for both drivers and cyclists. 

It should also be noted that on one way roads, the Council aim to have a minimum carriageway width of 3.5 metres for vehicles to pass through.  In accordance with Cycling by Design 2010 (Revision 1, June 2011) guidelines, dedicated cycle lanes for cyclists should be no less than 1.2 metres in width.  As such, if the carriageway width on one way roads for vehicles/cyclists to pass one another is less than 4.7 metres, the Council would be unlikely to propose contraflow cycling on the grounds of road safety. 

Buildouts
With regards to a number of proposed buildouts at bus stops on Cathcart Road, the reason for doing so is to maximise parking and loading provision adjacent to local businesses.  As you may be aware, if buildouts were not considered, bus stop cages would require to be marked on the road at a length of at least 25 metres which would have a knock on effect on parking and loading provision for local businesses.

Parking/loading restrictions at junctions
Whilst I note your comments relating to the Highway Code, I can advise that parking attendants can only carry out enforcement where there are restrictions in place which are covered by a traffic regulation order.  As such, the proposed waiting/loading restrictions are necessary in order to prevent the current indiscriminate and obstructive parking practices being experienced within the area.

Restricted Parking Zone surrounding Hampden Stadium
Restricted Parking Zones (RPZ) are generally implemented within areas which suffer from high levels of commuter parking.  Whilst there are a number of railway stations within the Mount Florida area, there has been no major concerns expressed to the Council relating to commuter parking.
As such, unless there is a sudden increase in commuter parking within the area, there is no requirement to proposed a RPZ surrounding Hampden Stadium at this time.

Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 17 September 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mailing land@glasgow.gov.uk
If you do not wish to withdraw your objection then there is no requirement for you to write to us again.
Your objection 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

There we have it: if residents and businesses want parking, they got it, even to the detriment of the active travel community and all the grand documents that the City Council and Scottish Government produce.
Note too, how open the City Council is to angled parking, even though drivers will then reverse out into the roadway when they have very limited visibility of the road, a move not endorsed by the Highway Code.
Here’s a good analysis of angled parking that a GoBike member found: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2008/01/03/the-case-against-pull-in-angle-parking/ Even though it’s quite old and from the US it’s to the point.
Did we ask in our submission for separate cycle lanes on these one-way streets to facilitate contraflow cycling? No, we didn’t, yet the response uses the excuse that the streets, once they have been narrowed to allow all this parking are too narrow for a “dedicated cycle lane”. Contraflow cycling is the default in Cycling by Design and is common practice elsewhere and is even a feature of some Glasgow streets. It would be good to have a discussion on permeability for cycle traffic with both the City Council and Police Scotland, to discover the source of this oft-quoted objection!

We are considering a response.

3.4 Glasgow University Avenue, GoBike responds to the City Council’s rebuff of the Objection to the Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order

No doubt most of you remember our campaign of last winter and spring to ensure the maintenance of the through cycle lanes on University Avenue and their upgrade from the painted lines of the Colleges Cycle Route to lanes physically separated from motor traffic?
On 07 June we submitted this letter of Objection to the TRO that introduced painted cycle lanes on the uphill sections only but maintained two-way traffic and allowed loading.
On 13 August we received this email reply from Glasgow City Council, which we reproduced in full in Digest 41, Item 3.8.
As noted last time, we were not favourably impressed with that reply and on 30 August submitted this reply to Andy Waddell, Head of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability at the Council, with a copy to Michael Matheson, MSP and Minister of Transport, the Active Nation Commissioner, Lee Craigie, Councillor Anna Richardson, Patrick Harvie MSP and Patrick Grady MP.

GoBike members spend so much time responding to Traffic Regulation Orders that are clearly not in compliance with the Connectivity Commission, the target of 10% of journeys by bike by 2020 that was first downgraded to an aim, then an aspiration and now a lost dream and all the other high-level documents lauding active travel. Once there is work to do on the ground a knee-jerk reaction appears to set in and the motor vehicle reigns supreme. We need policies that operate at all levels to promote walking and cycling and the good health that activity promotes.

3.5 Renfrewshire City Deal, work starts on Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district

Here are some of the details of the latest newsflash about the Renfrewshire City Deal progress – the full document is here.

“A new manufacturing district in Renfrewshire which will create thousands of new jobs for the sector is a step closer as work has now started on the site of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

Renfrewshire pupils from Inchinnan Primary were also on hand to plant a tailor-made time capsule on the site, packed full of local manufacturing mementos together with the children’s ‘dream inventions’ – covering everything from glasses that can see emotions to a self-navigating bike.

Work has now started on constructing the enabling infrastructure, which includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways, being delivered by the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project which is funded through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments.”

3.6 Glasgow, Beith Street, Planning Application for 48 flats, 19/02063/PPP to be built adjacent to National Cycle Route 7, GoBike objection

GoBike’s just-in-time objection to this proposal is on the City Council’s planning portal, use the reference number 19/02063/PPP or “Beith Street” to search. Once there are more than 6 objections a planning application has to go to committee; this one has well over a hundred, so let hope it’s drummed out. Here’s our objection if you don’t wish to search.

We are generally not able to respond to Planning Applications but we were alerted to this one because it impacts on National Cycle Route 7, which is in a parlous state as it runs along a shared footway at the west end of Beith Street.

If you are on your local Community Council and/or you hear of a Planning Application that will affect cycle routes do let us know.

3.7 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Prince’s Street, consultation event 27 August

We are indebted to one of our members who attended this event for this feedback:

“The section of St George’s Road, which was the focus of the event, is fairly straightforward. There are three key issues:

1. Where the bidirectional lanes will cross from the east side to the west side, north of St George’s Cross – not yet fixed.
2. The junction with North Woodside Road
3. The pedestrian crossings north of North Woodside Road. They appear to have decided that the main crossing should be at St George’s in the Field, which leads to a pend into Braid Square. The carriageway would also be ‘punched at this point to force drivers to slow and to alternate between north and southbound vehicles. It was shown as a zebra. The existing crossing at the nursery, might be retained (with ‘pinching’), but, if the North Woodside Road junction is signalised (which is an option) then the crossing would move to close to the junction.

A good point was that the display included a map of the entire Connecting Woodside area, with drawings and visualisations of The Underline, the reestablishment of St George’s Cross as a public space, the West Prince’s St Drawings, The south St George’s Road drawings, The Garscube Road drawings, the proposals for Cambridge Street and for a Renfrew Street ‘avenue’. This gave a sense of context, for the actual section being discussed.”

There is still time for you to respond to the on-line consultation – it’s open until 13 September. See the details here.

So there’s your exciting bumper bundle of joy and despair. Back in two weeks with more for you.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
2. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street on-line consultation closes 13 September
3. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street consultation event 27 August
2. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August, NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Avenues preview events for Renfrew, Killermont and North Hanover Streets, 06 August
2. Glasgow, Construction work to start on University Place
3. East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Information Session 13 August
4. ScotRail Cycle Forum 15 August
5. New cycling offences: an update from CyclingUK
6. Glasgow City Council (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order 201, GCC response to GoBike submission
7. Glasgow, support for the ban on cars at school gates
8. Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order, GCC response to GoBike objection

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

We are still working on this, which we first advertised in Digest 37, Item 1.7 and we will definitely have our response in the next Digest on Tuesday 03 September, just before the closing date.

1.2 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street on-line consultation closes 13 September

In our Consultation Extra on 12 August we gave the details for the two Consultation events, one last week on 15 August and one next Tuesday (see below, item 2.1 for more details). However, there is also on-line consultation so please do complete this: see the details here.

1.3 Scotland, Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

We gave this link in Digest 40 and we will be working on the GoBike response straight after the submission for the St Enoch consultation. Do have a look and put your own views in; we need a greater focus on active travel and public transport and the more responses the better.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street Consultation Event Tuesday 27 August, 3-7pm

As per our Consultation Extra a week ago the City Council and Sustrans will be at Woodside Library on St George’s Road on Tuesday 27th August, from 3-7pm. Here’s the link to the Connecting Woodside update with the details.

2.2 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August, NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER

Despite our reports in the last 2 Digests, we received this message on 06 August, just after Digest 40 was issued that:

“As part of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life are developing proposals to improve access to and within Pollok Country Park. Following a period of engagement, emerging proposals are now entering the pre-planning phase and will then form the subject of a planning application later this year.
Please find attached documents relating to the Proposal of Application Notice that was submitted today (6^th August) for access proposals in Pollok Country Park.
As part of the pre-planning process, a consultation event will take place at Pollokshaws Library on the rescheduled date of 10^th September from 12 noon – 8pm which you are welcome to attend and will allow the opportunity for comments.
Kind Regards,
Glasgow City Council/Glasgow Life”

Here are the four documents that are mentioned: Site Plan, the Exhibition Leaflet, the Proposal of Application Notice and the Letter of Invitation to Consultees.

Do try and get along to the event if you can; most of us go to, or through Pollok Park at times and the proposals do appear to be genuinely active travel friendly.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Avenues preview events for Renfrew, Killermont and North Hanover Streets, 06 August

This event, held by Civic Engineers, who are carrying out the design work of this part of the City Deal Avenues project for Glasgow City Council, was well attended with good support for the proposals. The main points raised were:

• The aim is to normalise cycling; the main speaker was keen to say that the avenues are not for speed cycling.
• The amount of tarmac on the 16 core streets of the Avenues programme will be reduced, with swales and rain gardens introduced to absorb rain water – and to improve the environment.
• The project is in line with the aims of the Connectivity Commission, encouraging active travel for all abilities, reducing private car use in the city and encouraging use of public transport.
• The through cycle route along Sauchiehall Street will continue to Cambridge Street, then to Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street.
• There will be no shared space.
• Discussions are taking place with SPT and bus operators about changing/reducing access to the bus station.
• The overall timescale is tight, but the tender package for Argyle Street (also part of the work being done by Civic Engineers) will be issued by the end of 2019 with work possibly starting as early as next spring.
• Questions asked by the audience included a request for contraflow cycling on connecting streets such as the one-way section of Renfrew Street at the west end, for traffic lights to be phased to give active travel priority and a concern that cars might use Townhead as a rat-run if access to North Hanover Street is reduced.

3.2 Glasgow, Construction work to start on University Place from 12 August

We know that cycling, and widespread consultation, was only an afterthought in a lot of Glasgow University’s planning but here’s some information that one of our members received on 05 August and passed on to us:

“Dear neighbour,
Please note that parking will be removed and barriers erected on University Place from Monday 12 August to allow for infrastructure and landscaping works through the University of Glasgow’s Campus Development Programme.
Construction will be ongoing until early 2021, to create a pedestrian and cycle priority route between Byres Road and University Avenue.
The works will also improve the look and feel of the environment, turning University Place into an accessible and attractive gateway for the new Western campus, including a small number of disabled parking spaces at its western end.
Parking on University Place is currently unrestricted and not covered by the University’s permit scheme.
Residents of University Place and staff requiring access to the underground car parks at the Wolfson Medical and BHF Sir Graeme Davis Buildings, staff of the NHS Pharmacy facility, as well as service and emergency vehicles, will still be able to access University Place.
The street will be open to pedestrians and cyclists during the works, and be one-way for cars, from University Avenue towards Byres Road.
The road will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists during the works. University Place will also be made one-way for cars, from University Avenue towards Byres Road.
Please see the plan for University Place works for more details. 
Construction will start in August with drainage works at the West (Byres Road) end of University Place, working along the road towards University Avenue.
Later in the year, landscaping and resurfacing work will begin from the East (University Avenue) end of the road and work back along towards Byres Road. This work will complete in early 2021 in time for the opening of the Clarice Pears Building, which will house the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing. 
Cycle racks, currently located outside the Wolfson Medical Building, will be relocated temporarily the Bower Building. Once complete, the landscaping for University Place will include over 100 cycle parking spaces.
The Next Bike facility will remain in its present location, however a new permanent location will be constructed nearby as part of the improvements.
Read more about the University’s Campus Development Programme
For any feedback please contact campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk”

One bit of good news in the above is that the one-way restriction applies only to cars, so University Place will remain two-way for people walking or cycling.

3.3 East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Information Session 13 August

GoBike was invited to this session and one of our members attended. Here is the feedback:

The scheme is being designed by Peter Brett Associates who have been given a wide brief to create not just a realigned road but an active travel route which will in time link into a visitor centre.

1. The scheme is to realign Aurs Road from Springhill Rd to Stewarton Rd. Major bends will be removed and speed limits will be reduced from the current 60mph to 30 mph & 40 mph depending on location
2. As yet not all funding is in place but there is expectation that funds will be located (e.g. from Sustrans) allowing the complete project as envisaged to be completed.
3. It is planned that this is part of a larger overall redevelopment and to fit in with new housing north of the railway line and a visitor centre. There will also be a new 100place car park south of the Balgray Reservoir to allow folk access to the area.
4. There is also talk of a new railway station, Barrhead South, north of Balgray Reservoir, to serve the new housing, but the likelihood/timetabling are very unclear.
5. The essence of the plan is to take the bends out of the road, reduce the speed limit to 30/40mph and provide lighting. If they did nothing else the cycling environment would be greatly improved, particularly in winter. They also plan a cycleway and footway to the west of the existing road. For most of the length these will be segregated and in the case of the cycleway up to 3m in width. In some areas, in particular near the area of the proposed car park, limitations of space mean that shared space is inevitable. Space over much of the length is certainly a problem and to get the cycleway built means building a boardwalk over the edge of the reservoir itself. All very ambitious. Note that the cycleway will be lit.

We have some concerns, particularly about the start and end points and will be following them up.
Note that planning permission has not yet been sought. Once this has happened the plans will go on line.
The hope is to tender in the next 2-3 months with works starting in April 2020. The road will be closed in its entirety and the works will take (at least?) a year to complete.
The presentation given at the event is here.

3.4 ScotRail Cycle Forum 15 August

ScotRail hold their Cycle Forum two or three times per year and GoBike was represented at the most recent, held in Glasgow on 15 August. The main points of interest were:

• From May 2020 dedicated cycle carriages will be added to the formation of trains where there is mandatory booking, starting with Glasgow to Oban, followed by Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig and then the Far North Lines.
• ScotRail have a Cycle Fund which awards match funding to such projects as improving cycle access to railway stations. GoBike is hoping to meet with ScotRail and Sustrans, and eventually the City Council, to explore improving links to stations in Glasgow.
• ScotRail is to review its policy on the carriage of electric bikes, which are currently officially banned on all UK trains because of concern about the batteries! It was suggested at the meeting that owners are probably unaware of this policy and load them onto trains anyway.
• ScotRail is reviewing its cycle hire scheme in light of usage and other schemes in operation.
• There is ongoing concern about the carriage of bikes on HSTs to intermediate stations that are unstaffed.
• Generally the carriage of bikes works well.

3.5 New cycling offences: an update from Cycling UK

Last September, in Digest 17, Item 1.8 we informed you of “Open Consultation from the UK Government, Department of Transport, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling”. Cycling UK were quick off the mark to submit opposition to the proposals and GoBike supported the move, calling for a complete overhaul of road traffic offences.
Many of us who are individual members of Cycling UK added our voice and the following update was received on 07 August:

“Last autumn, the Government launched a consultation on new cycling offences.
You were one of over 13,000 people who supported Cycling UK and called on Government to stop tinkering around the edges and, instead, to launch the wholescale review of road traffic offences first promised in 2014.
Ten months on, we’ve finally had some news.
Last month’s Road Safety Statement listed 74 upcoming actions to improve road safety and, interestingly, plans to introduce new cycling offences were not included. Instead there was an acknowledgement that this is “a complex area” and that the Government is “considering bringing forward legislation to deal with this”.
Although this may seem insignificant, and we wouldn’t suggest reading too much into it, it’s a shift in position from the infamous announcement from the Conservative twitter account last year announcing that they were “cracking down on dangerous cyclists”.
So, let’s just say we’re more optimistic than we were this time last year – and that’s thanks to you, and 13,000 others, taking the time to write to the Government and your MP.
With Parliament on summer recess, and a new Transport Minister recently appointed, we’ll be sure to keep you updated as things develop over the coming months.
In the meantime, the urgent issue for cycling is the upcoming Government spending review: cycling needs more investment to ensure it’s safer and more widely accessible.
Please support our campaign for cycling funding by writing to Chris Heaton-Harris, the new Minister responsible for cycling.  
Duncan Dollimore
Head of Campaigns
Cycling UK“

Those of us fortunate enough to live in Scotland do not have a new Transport Minister, so if you do wish to ask the Scottish Government for more cycle funding do please contact Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

3.6 Glasgow City Council (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order 201

GoBike support for this move, with the concern about the city’s patchwork approach to implementing 20mph across the city, was given in Digest 39, Item 1.5 and here’s the response we received on 08 August.
There’s a lot of detail about how the zone will be applied but still no recognition of the speeding that clearly occurs on streets that are already 20mph, eg the Broomielaw and the High Street.

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN, NORTH WOODSIDE AND WOODLANDS), (MANDATORY 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, your comments have been noted.
I can advise that the funding has been made available through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme funded by Transport Scotland as part of the Connecting Woodside project to introduce mandatory 20mph speed limit zones within the residential areas.
The 20mph speed limit zones will be signposted according to the TSRGD 2016 and there will be triangular lamp-post wraps prior to the 20mph speed enforcement coming into effect to notify the public of the new speed limits in the area.
I refer to the extremely positive change in regulations outlined in the recent Transport Scotland document titled the ‘Good Practice Guide on 20mph Speed Restrictions’.  Whilst this guidance allows certain areas to be considered without physical traffic calming measures, unfortunately the council are unable to make the full council boundary a mandatory 20mph speed limit zone at this time.  This would require substantial funds given the sheer volume of work that would require to be undertaken such as speed surveys, material costs and physical traffic calming measures required throughout the council boundary, particularly on existing roads with existing speed limits of 40mph and above. 
The Police are included in the consultation process when a 20mph zone is being introduced.  However, following Transport Scotland guidance and by introducing traffic calming measures where speeds are above 24mph, it is intended that the zones are mainly self-enforcing.  Indeed, during discussions with Police Scotland Officers, they have indicated that they support the Council’s traffic calming policy.  The Council has no direct input into where and when the police carry out enforcement. 
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
Steven Gray
Assistant Group Manager (Sustainable Transport)
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

3.7 Glasgow, support for the ban on cars at school gates

In Digest 34, Item 1.3, we published the proposals for banning cars from accessing close to the gates of six primary schools in the city. This has now achieved the support of Evening Times readers, see: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17832845.car-ban-glasgow-primary-schools-city-backing/?ref=ebln
Let’s hope now that the practice is spread to all schools across the city and beyond.

3.8 Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order, GCC response to GoBike objection

Many of you will remember the demonstration we had in February to demonstrate that painted cycle lanes offer no protection to people trying to cycle over the hill that is University Avenue and we submitted this letter of objection in June to the City Council.

We received this response on 13 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
With regards to your concerns:
The University of Glasgow’s proposals for University Avenue and University Place were developed in consultation with Council officers and following consideration of all options available, including the incorporation of segregated cycle lanes in University Avenue and the introduction of bus gates at either end of the Avenue.

Options investigated the requirements for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport provision, University and local access issues and wider traffic management issues in line with the established hierarchy.

The resultant proposal significantly improves pedestrian passage both along and across University Avenue and has removed all existing parking. However, it was necessary to accommodate public transport routes in both directions as well as larger bus stops at the University. The two way traffic corridor will also accommodate emergency service vehicles and local service access. To mitigate other traffic access, a supporting Traffic Regulation Order will reduce the speed limit to 20mph. More severe traffic restrictions e.g. bus gates, were found to have a detrimental impact on adjacent streets such as Byres Road and were therefore discounted.

Unfortunately, due to land availability, local topography and a number of listed structures, it was not practicable to accommodate fully segregated cycle lanes in both directions. This is demonstrated in your own proposals which resulted in a single 3m one-way traffic lane and would not be supported by the Council, and would be likely to raise objections from other stakeholders including emergency services and bus operators. When considering the 20mph speed limit, the need to accommodate bus stops for large numbers of passengers and the sharp gradients, up to 8%, and campus cycle access available at either end of University Avenue, it was concluded that the mandatory cycle lanes would be provided only on the uphill sections.

The University has also taken a number of steps to improve the local campus environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The campus will be opened up with a number of signed routes, routes will remain accessible after hours. Car parking on the campus will be significantly reduced and other vehicle access controlled. Public realm including cycle storage facilities will be improved.

Addressing your specific observations:

1. The painted cycle lanes are dangerous.

Painted lines are a recognised means of cycle lane provision. It is noted that they are not ideal but they are the best that can be practicably achieved in this particular location. The university will investigate the practicability of introducing forms of light segregation, however there are concerns that this in turn may introduce a trip hazard.

2. The design of the painted cycle lanes within the TRO makes cycling even more dangerous.

Bus stops are located on either side of the crossing at the junction with Hillhead Street and, as there was insufficient road width to provide lay-bys, without the loss of pedestrian space, this made any opportunity to provide cycle lanes over the entire length of University Avenue impracticable.

The designers were required to work within the bounds of the existing public road limits. Unfortunately, as noted above, segregated cycle routes cannot physically be accommodated in both directions. Due to the grades it was determined that segregated cycle lanes on the downhill sections would be a greater risk due to the lack of width and proximity of pedestrians on narrower footways.

3. Painted cycle lanes on University Avenue do not prevent waiting, loading or parking.

The formalisation of the cycle lane means that if a vehicle crosses over the solid white cycle lane for any reason – for example, to drop off a passenger – they are in contravention of the Highway Code and this would be a police enforcement matter.

Practically, a vehicle stopping for any reason would block the carriageway and would be likely to be moved on by other road users. Equally a segregated lane would not completely deter dropping off activities.

4. The plans are in contravention of the Transport Hierarchy.

The plans are in accordance with the Transport Hierarchy as they prioritise pedestrian safety above all others by widening the footways and improving crossing facilities. It is necessary to maintain the route for two-way public transport, and private vehicle use has been affected with the removal of all parking spaces on University Avenue as well as the reduction to a 20MPH speed limit zone. Whilst full segregation has not been provided, the reduced speed limit and removal of vehicle parking spaces will benefit cycling. These measures are consistent with Cycling by Design.

Cycling by Design (2010) Hierarchy of Measures, “It should be recognised that measures are more easily accepted and implemented if they directly benefit the wider community, not simply existing cyclists. Strategies that emphasise safety in terms of motorised traffic restraint and speed reduction while promoting health and sustainability will aid the development of cycling.”

5. The plans fail to recognise Climate Change Emergency status.

University Avenue has to maintain accessible for public transport in both directions. Modelling was carried out on potentially making University Avenue a bus only route; this was not feasible due to the level of disruption that would be created on Byres Road, Great Western Road and Dumbarton Road, and the associated side streets in the area. Similarly, a one-way street would not be possible either.

6. The plans fail to recognise recommendations made within the Connectivity Commission Report.

Policies can only be applied within the context of the local situation and if delivery is reasonably practicable in terms of issues such as physical aspects, user priorities, essential requirements and wider cost implications. Where you are seeking to adapt an existing streetscape it is not always possible to accommodate all aspirations in one situation. In the case of University Avenue, the reasons why it was not feasible to reallocate road space in strict accordance with the user hierarchy -which would see a larger portion of the road being dedicated to cyclists – are derived from the presence of physical constraints (level change, gradient and pinch point) which, if a segregated route was to be introduced, would compromise the safety of the most vulnerable road users i.e. pedestrians.

8. Double yellow lines with kerb marked lines are not legally compatible with mandatory cycle lanes.

The double yellow line marking restrictions apply from the heel of the footway to the centre of the carriageway. As previously mentioned, the solid white line marked cycle lanes are the boundary in which a vehicle cannot cross over. A vehicle is still within their right to drop off a passenger without crossing over the white solid line marked cycle lane. Any form of waiting beyond the reasonable amount of time for a passenger to board or alight is a traffic offence.

Glasgow City Council do not have a policy on the use of red line markings; there is potential for future implementation around the city with red line markings, however, the policy would have to be created to allow for this.

9. The TRO drawing is inconsistent with other approved planning drawings.

Whilst the omission of the drop off lay-by on the TRO drawing is noted it does not affect the actual restriction. The lay-by is for drop off only and parking would be an offence as it would on the rest of the carriageway.

10. Lack of public support.

The TRO process allows the public to formally object to the proposals and I can advise that the Council received 26 formal objections to the TRO. Several of these objections were supportive of the 20 mph speed limit.

Considering that staff and students of the university alone amount to almost 40,000 people, a figure increased significantly when considering local residents and businesses in the Hillhead / Byres Road area, the level of objection is relatively low in terms of other TRO consultations.

Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 3^rd September 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk

If you do not wish to withdraw your objection then there is no requirement for you to write to us again.

Your objection 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

Needless to say we are not favourably impressed, we will not withdraw our objection on the strength of this response and might even reply to the City Council.

Sorry to end on a low note but there is some good news above and let’s hope we get some more before the next Digest is due out at the start of September.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, TODAY, Tuesday 06 August, 1pm or 2:30pm, with on-line comments closing on 18 August.
2. Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August
3. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
4. **NEW** Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consuitations

1. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Pollok Country Park – Project Update
2. WalkCycleVote/RNIB workshops
3. Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road)(Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 201
4. THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, Consultation on future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing
5. Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July
6. Battlefield Proposals (Streets for All) update
7. The Glasgow City Council (Broomfield Road) Traffic calming scheme 20__
8. The Glasgow City Council (Sunnybank Street) Traffic Calming Scheme 20__
9. Proposals for Upgrading of Elmbank Street, Pitt Street and Holland Street
10. World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green
11. International interest to build first opening bridge over the River Clyde
12. Yokecoco win funding for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for action or responses

1.1 Glasgow, ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, TODAY, Tuesday 06 August, 1pm or 2:30pm, with on-line comments closing 18 August.

We gave all the information for these 2 events, which take place TODAY, in Digest 39, Item 2.2.
If you wish to attend either of the sessions then you should book; here’s the link.
In a further email, dated 23 August, there was this information:

1.2 Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August

The details for this latest extension of the South City Way were given in Digest 38, Item 1.5 and we are looking forward to there being a continuous cycle route from Queen’s Park to the Merchant City.
We are concerned, though, at the lack of clarity in the TRO documents about the junction between Bridgegate and King Street. Our letter of response is here.

1.3 Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

This consultation period is quite long; the full details were in Digest 37, Item 1.7 and our response is being prepared. It will be published before the closing date.
If you have perused the document and have any views, please do send them in to consultations@gobike.org

1.4 **NEW** Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Published just a few days ago on 31 July, here’s the latest big consultation from the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland. This is one we all need to consider and submit our views.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August.

We published the details of this event in our last Digest, No 39, Item 2.3 and it will be held at Pollokshaws Library from 12 noon – 8pm. Do get along there if you can.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Pollok Country Park – Project Update

Before you go to the Consultation Event on the 22nd, do read this briefing note produced by Glasgow Life, outlining progress to date.

3.2 WalkCycleVote/RNIB workshops

Sally and Suzanne from Walk/Cycle/Vote have been working this year with people from the RNIB and have held workshops around the country, in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh. Brenda, Iain and Tricia from GoBike attended the Glasgow event and discussed pertinent issues with people from RNIB. Walk/Cycle/Vote hope to follow up these recent sessions with a larger event in October, focusing on a combined response to the National Transport Strategy consultation has just been launched, see Item 1.4 above.
Here are the agreed outcomes of the Glasgow workshop:

• We’re still missing some users from this discussion who’ll have valuable input.
• Our cities would be safer for everyone if there were fewer private cars.
• We need to reduce car dominance of our streets if we are all to get the space we need.
• Kerbs are important with appropriate modifications for wheelchairs.
• Cycling infrastructure needs to be designed in a way that’s inclusive for everybody and doesn’t create barriers.
• Street clutter is a hazard.
• Cycle paths should be clearly distinguishable from pavement and roads by appropriate means.
• We want a clear delineation between cyclists and pedestrians.
• Side turnings should be squared off to make drivers slow down.
• Control boxes (on signal-controlled crossings) could vibrate as an alternative to the rotating cone which can be broken easily or simply not included on the box.
• We acknowledge that different groups of people will have different priorities based on their different needs. We should not allow people to divide and rule us.

So a good start was made in understanding and recognising that we have different needs but we all have a right to use our streets.

3.3 Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road)(Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 201

On 23 July we received this acknowledgement to our submission to the consultation on the proposals preparing for the construction of a 2-way cycle route on Garscube Road:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (GARSCUBE ROAD) (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROL) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
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
Steve Gray
Assistant Group Manager (Sustainable Transport)
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

3.4 THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, Consultation on future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing

On 23 July we received this brief acknowledgement of our submission on this consultation:

“Thank you for your consultation response, which will be considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee in due course.
Kind regards“

3.5 Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July

These events, which were detailed in Digest 38, Item 2.5 with further information on opposition to the proposals in Digest 39, Item 2.1, were held to gauge public views prior to the Traffic Regulation Order being finalised and issued.
City Council staff at one of the Dennistoun events reported that views were mixed, but there was certainly interest from members of the public.
Again, though, parking controls mean, to the City Council, changing streets from 2-way to 1-way to allow for the introduction of diagonal parking and ensure adequate clearance to the parked cars. Exemption for cycles is apparently generally vetoed by Police Scotland and the City Council continue to provide storage space for private vehicles on our streets rather than providing sufficient space for people to walk and cycle.
One would hope that by the introduction of parking permits demand for parking would reduce?

We look forward to the publication of the TRO with some interest.

3.6 Battlefield Proposals (Streets for All) update

Sustrans issued this update on 25 July and, once you are past all the pictures, there’s a wee survey for you to complete by 16 August – and there’s a prize draw!

3.7 The Glasgow City Council (Broomfield Road) Traffic calming scheme 20__

On 29 July we received this response to our submission on the proposal for traffic calming on Broomfield Road:

“Thank you for your undernoted email regarding the traffic calming proposals on Broomfield Road.

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200 mm, with 1000 mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.”

Due to the width of the carriageway on Broomfield Road and the minimum width of the speed cushions being increased to facilitate buses, a 1m gap from either side of the kerbline was determined. A larger gap between the speed cushion and the kerb may encourage drivers to park partly in the gap and partly on the cushion, causing an obstruction for cyclists.

Regarding your request for a cycle lane to be introduced at this location, I can advise that the funding we have received for this location is from a traffic calming budget, therefore the introduction of cycle lanes at this location is not something that we would consider at this time.

Finally, it is anticipated the introduction of speed cushions will reduce vehicular speeds, which in turn lead to better road safety conditions for all road users including, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (name and contact details removed by GoBike)

Michael Brady
Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

So there we have it: the budgets, and not just the staff, are in silos within the City Council. Why on earth don’t they think holistically and consider the best overall solution?

3.8 The Glasgow City Council (Sunnybank Street) Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

Correspondence continues on Sunnybank Street. You may remember that in Digest 38, Item 3.7 we published an exchange of emails where Glasgow City Council had confused the GoBike response on Sunnybank Street with that of either Ladyloan Avenue or Broomfield Road?

A further reply was received on 29 July:

“Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted email regarding the traffic calming proposals for Sunnybank Street.

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.”

The gap between cushions and the kerb may differ at each location depending on factors such as the width of the carriageway, the width, length and design of the cushions, any potential build outs or the location being a bus route.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (contact details removed by GoBike).

Michael Brady
Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

When in a hole, it’s best not to dig any deeper! The distance between the speed cushion and the kerb is shown as 1.2m for Sunnybank Street, but only 1.0m for Broomloan Road above.

3.9 Proposals for Upgrading of Elmbank Street, Pitt Street and Holland Street

A consultation event was held on 24 July, of which we became aware at very short notice, but we now have some details. We have requested ongoing notification but here is what Holland Street might look like in the future!

There is more information on the consultant’s website.

We aim to keep you informed of progress.

3.10 World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green

The World Pipe Band Championships take place on Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July and Glasgow Life have informed local residents, including your Digest author, of closures to roads around the Green and restrictions on access to the Green itself.

Unfortunately, the information provided was inadequate when it came to cycling and thus the following email was sent:

“Sent: 26 July 2019 14:02
To: GL Culture
Cc: GoBike! Convenor
Subject: World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green

Hello,
As a local resident I have today received the neighbour notification for the forthcoming World Pipe Band Championships to be held on Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July.

Your letter, ref WPBC2019/HC informs me of motor vehicle restrictions but does not mention the National Cycle Network Route (NCN) that passes through the Green. You do, of course, refer to the riverside “path”, which is where the NCN runs but you do not give any alternate route for people who are cycling to work, to their place of study, on business or for leisure. This is one of the busiest cycle routes in Glasgow, used by people of all ages and all cycling abilities and it is critical, not just for this event, but for all events on the Green, that clear alternatives are posted well in advance.

Thus, could you, by return, send me the alternative route that you propose for the NCN so that I may make all our GoBike members and supporters aware of the change in their journey well in advance of the 2 days? It is not good enough for people to arrive at a point where their route is blocked and to be told by a steward that they must retrace their route and take a diversion.

I hope that by doing this, we will be able to reduce the frustration felt by people cycling through the Green and thus reduce the number of complaints that are received by yourselves; complaints that may be avoided by good planning.

It is disappointing that world class events on the Green are marred by lack of attention to detail. I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours,
Tricia Fort
for Consultations, GoBike, Strathclyde Cycle Campaign, www.gobike.org

A response was received a few days later, and here it is for you to judge its content!

Dear Tricia,

Thank you for your email.

As per every event at Glasgow Green – both ran by Glasgow Life and private companies – diversion routes will be in place and well signed in advance.

On the Friday it is a minor diversion within the park.

On the Saturday there is a diversion (example cycling from West to East) from Saltmarket (at Albert Bridge), across the bridge and left on to Ballater Street. Continue straight onto King’s Bridge and right back onto the current Cycle Network 75.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get back in touch.

Kind regards,
WPBC Team “

Needless to say, a further message has been sent to Glasgow LIfe, but if you are trying to cycle in or near Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July, perhaps even trying to get to the “Worlds”, we can only apologise for not being able to get you clear information.

3.11 International interest to build first opening bridge over the River Clyde

We received this email from City Deal Renfrewshire on 31 July, giving us progress news on the proposed new bridge over the Clyde:

3.12 Yokecoco win funding for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village

Saving the best until last; here’s the excellent news that Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council, working in collaboration with Sustrans, have gained funding to progress their plans for transforming the area, see: https://www.facebook.com/yokecoco/ for all the details.
This is a wonderful achievement by the Community Council and local residents.

We first published details of the Traffic Regulation Order last year in Digest 12 and news of the initial public consultation events were given in Digest 9, Item 1.7 back in May last year, so people have been busy on this for a long time and the success is well deserved.

Your next Digest will be out with you in 2 weeks – who knows what news there will be?

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, Battlefield, Drop-in Event, TODAY, 23 July, 3pm – 7pm
2. GoBike member’s survey, Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow, closes tomorrow, 24 July
3. Glasgow, Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July
4. **NEW** Glasgow, (Mount Florida) (Traffic Regulation) Order) Waiting and Loading Restrictions, closes 02 August
5. Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Order, closes 02 August
6. Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August
7. Glasgow St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July
2. Glasgow ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, Tuesday 06 August
3. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire, Lenzie Station
2. Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue
3. Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) Construction Update

Section 1: Current Consultations , in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, Battlefield Street Design, Showcase Event, TODAY, 23 June

Battlefield is no longer as shown here but there are moves to make it a calmer place, with less emphasis on the private car. Here’s the information from Sustrans about today’s event and the current on-line consultation:

“Hello,
I am emailing just as a reminder about the Battlefield Street Design Session 4 Showcase Event taking place next Tuesday 23^rd July. This is a public drop-in event at Langside Parish church and is open to everyone. I would be grateful if you could share this amongst anyone you think maybe interested? Further details are below and I’ve attached the event poster to this email.

Showcase event: Tuesday 23^rd July 2019

The designs for Battlefield area have been developed following nine months of engagement by Sustrans and Glasgow City Council that has reached almost 6,000 local people. During March, April and May, people took part in a range of activities to provide feedback which has helped to refine the concept that will be handed over to Glasgow City Council at the end of July for further development.  On Tuesday 23^rd July, at Langside Parish Church in Glasgow, the public are invited to have the opportunity to:

Drop-in anytime between 4pm and 7pm to view the updated concept design for the following areas; Battlefield Rest junction, Battlefield Road, Grange Road and Langside Road.

Find out about activities in the area from Urban Croft South Seeds, Battlefield Community Project, Give a Dog a Bone, Langside Heritage Group and many more;

Come and say hello to us outside Coffeescene between 3pm and 6pm where we’ll have a summary of the designs and some Sustrans freebies to give away!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Many thanks in advance,

Ellie Cady
Project Lead – Battlefield | Street Design | Sustrans Scotland
Ellie.Cady@sustrans.org.uk

A further email informed of an ongoing survey:

“We would love to hear the views from all of those involved to help us improve the Street Design process for future projects. From the 23^rd July we would like to invite you to complete a short online survey about the project and engagement process. This survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete and will be made available through our project website from next week. You will also receive a reminder by email with the link to the survey.”

So do have a look at that and, through GoBike’s involvement with the Focus Group for the redesign of Battlefield, we will be keeping you updated as things proceed.

1.2 Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow, closes tomorrow, Wednesday 24 July

Active GoBike member, Eachann Gillies, who is our lead in the Battlefield Focus Group, is also studying for an MSc at Glasgow Caledonian University. As part of that he would like as many people as possible to fill in his survey on Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow. It’s quite short, so do please help him. Here’s the link to the survey.

1.3 Glasgow, Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July

Taxis and private hire vehicles are something that most of us will use at some point so it is critical that we are objective about them and ensure that they provide a good service that meets the needs of the city, its residents and its visitors. Here is the GoBike response to the consultation. Here is the link to the consultation.

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow, (Mount Florida) (Traffic Regulation) Order) Waiting and Loading Restrictions, closes 02 August

On 12 July GoBike received the following email under the somewhat innocuous title of “Mount Florida Traffic Regulation Order”. It is only by looking at the attachments that one realises what is being done to set back the cause of active travel in the area.

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MOUNT FLORIDA) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk  by Friday 2 August 2019.
Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents that accompanied the email: Press Notice, Plan (1 of 2), Plan (2 of 2), Report and Statement of Reasons.

When one looks at the plans, particularly 1 of 2, it becomes clear that there are proposals to make Florida Street and Bolton Drive one-way westbound between Clincart Road and Florida Drive and to make Clincart Road one-way southbound to Bolton Drive and one-way northbound to Bolton Drive, with a buildout to the footway on Bolton Drive.
While this might rationalise car movements, it contradicts Transport Scotland’s and Glasgow City Council’s design guide, “Cycling by Design” where Clause 5.1.5 (page 52) states “The default position should be to permit two-way cycling on one-way streets.” The City Council conveniently ignores this every time a parking scheme is developed, thus severely limiting permeability of our residential areas for cycle traffic.

Here’s a promising report on contraflow cycling from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which we have quoted to Glasgow City Council.

In addition parking and parking/loading restrictions are proposed, particularly at junctions and this is despite Rule 243 of the Highway Code stating as one of its bullet points: ” DO NOT stop or park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space” See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/waiting-and-parking-238-to-252

We note that the City Council refers to the local Community Council, who are reflecting residents’ views that “they have nowhere to park” and many wish to park their private car directly outside the door to their close. However, this flies in the face of City Council policy to reduce car use, to promote active travel and rejuvenate our local neighbourhoods.
Event day parking restrictions are in place in this area and it would seem logical to extend restrictions by introducing a Residents’ Parking Zone.

If Glasgow City Council, and other local authorities, and/or Police Scotland were to employ more parking/traffic wardens rather than rely on the good will of drivers to observe paint lines at the edges of our streets then we might be able to use our streets for the purpose for which they were intended, ie to get from A to B.

GoBike’s response to this consultation reflects the above points.

1.5 Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Order, closes 02 August

The details of this proposed addition to the 80 mandatory 20mph zones in the city were first given in Digest 37, Item 1.6. The GoBike letter of support for this proposal also includes our view that the City Council really does need to bite the bullet on this and impose a city-wide default 20mph limit.

1.6 Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August

This proposal, bringing the South City Way into the Merchant City, was detailed in Digest 38, Item 1.5. GoBike is generally very supportive, but we are considering the detail and our response will be contained in our next Digest the big Four Zero, due out on 06 August.

1.7 Glasgow St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

As reported before, we are working on our response, which will be submitted next month. This is an important city centre area, so do please have a look at the consultation information that is provided on the City Council’s Current Consultations page at: https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicDMartCurrent&NoIP=1 and submit your own response, if you can.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July

In Digest 38, Item 2.5, we published details of drop-in events for residents to learn about the proposed parking changes for Dennistoun and Royston:
Wednesday 24 July, Royston Library, 2 – 7 pm
Thursday 25 July, Dennistoun Library, 2 – 7 pm
Saturday 27 July, Dennistoun Library, 10 am – 1 pm

However, it looks as if this isn’t a universally popular move, if this article from the Evening Times on 19 July is anything to go by! See: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17781308.parking-zone-plan-east-end-scrapped/?ref=ebln

If you don’t agree that our streets should be linear car parks and you live, or work in this area, or visit regularly, then get yourself along to one of these events to support the proposals.

2.2 Glasgow ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, Tuesday 06 August, with a closing date for on-line comments of 18 August

On 17 July GoBike received the following invitation from Civic Engineers, who are working for the City Council on the Avenues projects

“You are invited to the following event: Glasgow city centre ‘Avenues’: initial design ideas for Renfrew St, Killermont St and North Hanover St

Multiple events from: Tuesday, 6 August 2019 from 13:00 to 15:30 (BST) The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (City of Music Studio, 3rd floor)
2 Sauchiehall Street
G2 3NY Glasgow
United Kingdom
View Map

Yes No Maybe

You’re invited to a preview of initial design ideas for Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street on Tuesday 6th August in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.  There is a choice of two events, each an hour long, starting at 1pm and 2:30pm.  The City Council and Civic Engineers, who lead the Council’s design team for this phase of the Avenues project, will be presenting initial design principles at the events and seeking feedback. You’ll also be able to see and comment on the initial designs online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues from Tuesday 22nd July (closing date for comment is Sunday 18th August). There’ll be similar events about initial design ideas for Cathedral Street on Tuesday 3rd September in Townhead Village Hall – keep an eye out for the invitation. The work is part of the transformational £115m ‘Avenues’ city centre public realm project funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which will change the face of the city for the better for all those who live, work and visit. The Avenues project will see key Glasgow city-centre streets redesigned to protect and prioritise space for cyclists and pedestrians, improve connectivity, introduce sustainable green infrastructure through attractive streetscapes and enhancing biodiversity, and improve the way public transport is accommodated.  Places at the events are free but limited. Please book now to get your place! ”

Now that nice, wide cycleway on the photo above, taken from the original invitation, might not look to have much separating it from the roadway, but we think there’s a kerb there, and we’ll be sure to check that out on 06 August.

GoBike will be represented at this event, and at the 03 September event. Do note that these are not drop-in events so if you can’t spare the full hour, you will be able to view the information and respond on line.

2.3 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August

Earlier this year, in February, 2 GoBike members attended a meeting with Glasgow Life to hear about initial proposals for Pollok Park. We have now, 19 July, received this message and invitation:

“I hope you’re both well. I’m writing to update you on the progress of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project.

The update is as follows:

Thank you for previously engaging with us on access proposals for Pollok Country Park. Details of the proposals and current progress can be found in the briefing note attached.

As mentioned, these proposals will form the subject of a planning application and we are now moving towards submitting a Proposal of Application Notice in the week commencing 22^nd July. A consultation event will take place at Pollokshaws Library on the 22^nd August from 12 noon – 8pm which you are welcome to attend and will allow the opportunity for comments.

I’ll note that the proposed new entrance at Haggs Road is primarily intended to bring cars and buses in through a more direct route, while cyclists would be encouraged to enter the park via the Pollokshaws Road entrance or St Andrews Drive entrance.

If you have any queries please get in touch.

Kind Regards,
Project Officer, Glasgow Life”

The briefing note attached to the email is here. Do get yourself along to Pollokshaws Library on 22 August if you can to see the exciting proposals.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 SPT and East Dunbartonshire, Lenzie Station Improvements

We heard about station improvements from one of our member’s Twitter feed, with this link to the SPT website: http://www.spt.co.uk/corporate/2019/07/lenzie-station-improvements-welcomed/
2 of the improvements listed refer to cycling:

• Upgraded traffic lights – including dedicated cycle phase
• Improved cycle facilities

So now that we can store our bikes at Lenzie Station and cycle in and out during the new cycle phase, perhaps we’ll get dedicated cycle lanes through the town?

The consultation phase for the project started in 2016, before GoBike was actively getting East Dunbartonshire proposals, but we are always keen to hear about consultations in the wider Glasgow area, so do keep us informed at consultations@gobike.org please.

3.2 Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue Traffic Calming Scheme, GCC response to GoBike submission.

In Digest 37, Item 1.3, the details of this proposal were published and on 03 July we returned this response.
The City Council have now replied, with this email received on 19 July:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER (TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY), NEIGHBOURHOODS & SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort,
Thank you for your undernoted email and attached letter of 3 July 2019 regarding the proposed traffic calming for Ladyloan Avenue.

I am pleased to note that GoBike are in favour of the pilot School Car Free Zone project which the Council is introducing as an experimental traffic regulation order at 6 schools in Glasgow. Depending on the success of this pilot scheme, it is anticipated similar prohibitions of driving near other schools throughout the Council area will be introduced in the future.

While I acknowledge that some cyclists will seek to avoid the cushions, this will not always be the case, and the gradient on this section of Ladyloan Avenue renders it unlikely that roadside detritus will accumulate. 

Though no traffic census has been carried out at this location, I would expect current bicycle numbers on Ladyloan Avenue to be low tending to negligible. Therefore speed reduction measures such the proposed cushions can only have a beneficial impact on the number of cyclists.  Furthermore, reduced speeds are likely to make the journey to and from school more attractive to other active road users such as pedestrians and those using scooters and, in doing so, reduce the number of journeys made by car.

It can reasonably be considered that introduction of cycle lanes and reduction of the space available to motor vehicles at this location would lead to motor vehicles having to come to rest then accelerate again, leading to increased fuel usage with attendant polluting consequences.

I trust that the foregoing explains some of the reasons for introducing speed cushions on Ladyloan Avenue.”

So, now you know, some of us enjoy cycling over speed cushions and the installation of cycle lanes would increase pollution! However, on the brighter side, we are getting more responses from the City Council than we used to, and they contain more detail than we used to be given.

3.3 Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) Construction Update

Received just yesterday, a link to what’s going on around Glasgow Airport.


Here’s the main news from the link:

“Construction includes significant improved connections:

• Abbotsinch Road is being realigned, upgraded and extended, with accompanying pedestrian and cyclelanes to create a gateway route through Netherton Campus.
• A two-lane bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and commercial traffic across the White Cart from anapproach road off Arran Avenue to Wright Street. The bridge includes a connection into Wright Streetbusiness premises, with no through route along Wright Street for vehicles. This will reduce the impactof traffic on residential areas and the bridge will also connect with the proposed Paisley to Renfrewcycle route, currently under development.
• A pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Black Cart, connecting Abbotsinch Road to Greenock Road.
• New and improved junctions and connections to existing cycleways and pathways.

Construction works start in July 2019 and are scheduled for completion in early 2021. 

Some interesting news to peruse above and consultation events to go to, to brighten up your summer.
The Digest will be back in 2 weeks with whatever lands in the inbox before then.