Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December
2. Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
3. Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), closes 10 January 2020
4. Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
5. Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020
6. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020
7. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission
2. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission
3. Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
4. Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
5. Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved
6. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes
7. Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats
8. Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved
9. East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response
10. Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update
11. GoBike met GCC, 13 December
12. Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme
13. Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme
14. Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December

This proposal first featured in Digest 49, Item 1.9 and here’s the GoBike letter supporting the proposal. Please add your voice, if you have time, particularly if you live, work or cycle in Sighthill.

1.2 Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO closes 03 January 2020

This consultation was brand new in Digest 48, Item 1.9 and it just makes Fastlink worse if possible. Taxis and authorised vehicles are now able to use all four lanes of this bridge on a permanent basis after a “trial” for 18 months. The trial was to check whether the inclusion of taxis slowed buses down, but since the main hold-up for buses is on Lancefield Quay, we are now told that there has been no deterioration, so taxis may stay. The change puts active travel back, not forward and this won’t look good when COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, comes to Glasgow next year. Here’s the GoBike letter of objection. Do put in your own letter/email of objection – unless you are a taxi-driver ……

1.3 Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) closes 10 January 2020

This important consultation was Item 1.11 in Digest 49 and, if you haven’t already, do respond to the survey if you have time over Christmas and the New Year. Here’s a link to the survey.

1.4 Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

We first mentioned this UK consultation back in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and the information and consultation details are here. Do have a look and see if you find anything that is reassuring!

1.5 Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

This consultation appeared in Digest 48, Item 1.11 but was then excluded from Digest 49 in favour of the Central District Regeneration Framework (see Item 1.7 below). Apologies for the confusion but we do have 2 city centre consultations at the same time! This is the higher level document and our in-house expert has been looking at it. The GoBike response should be in the next Digest, appearing in the New Year.

These high-level documents can seem quite vague but more detailed policy is based on them, so it’s important that we look at them. The link to this one is here, although the link is to a list of current consultations and this one is on page 2!

1.6 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020

Item 1.13 in Digest 49 gave the details for this on-line consultation and, although it’s open for over a month, do please respond before you forget. Here’s the link to the City Council’s consultation page where you have to scroll down to find this one.

Done well, the South West City Way, running all the way from the City Centre to Pollok Park, could be a significant boost for cycling in Glasgow.

1.6 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020

We featured this in Digest 49, Item 1.14 and we are working on our response. The link, which is the same as the last two items is here – scroll down to the correct document. It’s similar to the previous Regeneration Frameworks that we have reviewed, more detailed than the City Centre Strategic Development Framework in Item 1.5 above, but still not a lot of specifics.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

Featured in Digest 49, Item 2.2 this consultation event will be held at St Albert’s Primary School,  36 Maxwell Drive, on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 between 3.30pm and 7pm.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission

GoBike supported the proposal, first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.3, to restrict commuter parking with this letter on 28 November.

3.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission

This consultation, which closed on 16 December, was first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.6. We aren’t too happy with the speed tables, which only leave a narrow gap at the side for cycling – here’s the letter we submitted on 12 December.

3.3 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response

GoBike supported the consultation, which closed on 13 December, to control the chaotic commuter parking around Dalmarnock Station and the Police Scotland offices, with this letter on 15 December. All the details were first given in Digest 48, Item 1.5.

On 19 December we received this reply from GCC:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DALMARNOCK WEST)(TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20___

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.

I note your comments regarding Shawfield Road and would reiterate that this falls outwith the Glasgow City boundary, however, I can confirm that an officer will contact South Lanarkshire Council to raise your concerns.

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely“, etc

So, good news that the two neighbouring councils will speak to each other!

3.4 Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response

The TRO to prohibit parking on the new road from the M80 to the new Robroyston Railway Station was first featured in Digest 48, Item 1.6. We supported the ban and strongly suggested that now is the time to construct cycle lanes, with this letter, dated 12 December.

On 18 December this reply was received from Glasgow City Council:

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

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ROBROYSTON STATION) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of GoBike.

As previously advised it is intended to provide cycle measures on Station Road to connect to Robroyston Station and this will be subject to future consultation which you will be advised of when progressed.

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely” etc

We live in hope that this will be both the original Station Road from Cumbernauld Road to the station and the new road from Robroyston and the M80 junction!

3.5 Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved

Back in June, and featured in Digest 36, Item 1.4 we were sent proposals for parking restrictions and a two-way cycle lane on Garscube Road, to which we responded with this letter. We were sent this email on 04 December:

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

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (GARSCUBE ROAD, (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) 2019

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal with changes as specified below:-

·       Provision of on-street short-term pay and display parking on the west side of Firhill Road.

The Order was made on 11^th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk

Yours sincerely” etc

See the next item for news of the cycle lanes!

3.6 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes

The latest Connecting Woodside update, received on 17 December:

And here’s the headline news: ” Construction on the first phase of the Connecting Woodside project will begin in early 2020! This is a segregated cycle route on Garscube Road, from Firhill Road to the underpass at Dobbie’s Loan. “

3.7 Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats

This is the saddest and most disgraceful news we have had in a long time. In the face of 160 objections, from local residents, from Patrick Harvie, MSP (Green Party) and GoBike, planning permission has now been granted to the developer who wishes to build 48 flats on the green space shown here, adjacent to the shared cycle/foot path that is National Cycle Route 7.
Details of the planning application are here and here are the details of the final outcome: https://reglasgow.com/flats-plan-for-yellow-ribbon-partick-open-space-gets-go-ahead/

3.8 Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved

A 20mph speed limit has now been approved for this area. Here’s the email we received on 04 December:

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

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN, NORTH WOODSIDE AND WOODLANDS) (MANDATORY 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) 2019

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal.

The Order was made on 11^th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22^nd November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely,” etc

3.9 East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response

GoBike responded to the consultation on the LDP2 with this letter, as reported in Digest 49, Item 1.3 and we received this response on 12 December:

“GoBike
Dear Sir / Madam
East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report (October 2019)
Your Reference LDP2/174

Thank you for your representation (s) in respect of the above documents. The Council will aim to resolve issues raised by representations prior to submission of the Proposed LDP2 to Scottish Ministers. You may be contacted for further information or clarification if required. Following the close of the consultation a report will be produced summarising all representations received and detailing the Council’s response. This will be reported to Council and made available on the Council’s website.

If there are unresolved representations the Scottish Ministers will appoint an independent Reporter to examine the Proposed Plan. The Reporter appointed will consider all matters and make recommendations to the Council and to Scottish Ministers on any changes that should be made to the Plan. The Council must incorporate these recommendations prior to adopting the Plan. Once adopted, the Plan has a legal status and is used for the assessment of planning applications and will guide development within East Renfrewshire.

Please quote reference number LDP2/174 in all future correspondence.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Strategy Team on 577 3001 or email ldp2@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk if you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,
Gillian McCarney Strategic Services Manager”

3.10 Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update

Here’s the latest on what’s happening out near Glasgow (Renfrew?!) Airport:

3.11 GoBike met GCC, 13 December

As we advised in Digest 49, Item 2.1, Ali, Brenda and Tricia from GoBike cycled out to the new Glasgow City Council offices on London Road, to meet Kevin Hamilton, Michael Brady and one of their team who all deal with parking and traffic calming.
We had a good discussion and hope to meet again.
On parking our main concern is the removal of two-way cycling to allow adequate space for the parking that local residents claim they need, even when commuter parking is being removed by the City Council. We heard that there is a plethora of documents, and opinions, that do or do not support contraflow cycling and the Council is understandably concerned to keep our streets as safe as they think they can.
On traffic calming and the universal use of speed cushions, we heard that there is pressure from residents and City Councillors to act quickly to reduce dangerous motor traffic speeds. Speed cushions certainly do the job but do not necessarily answer our concerns about making streets active-travel-friendly. Unfortunately a decision is made early in the process about which box a proposal fits and currently something that requires speed reduction does not get to be a cycle scheme. Funding is critical too.

3.12 Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme

Continuing from the item above, Ashgill Road is one that we discussed with the City Council. As you can see from the photo, Ashgill Road is wide and lends itself to high speeds requiring a crash barrier on the bend outside the Community Centre, preventing people from crossing the road to get direct access.

Ashgill Road is in the north of the city but has not been designated as a cycle route, even though it connects to Balmore Road, a significant arterial road and is near railway stations. We were given to understand that traffic calming schemes are a 2-part process and the notice we received on 28 November proposing speed cushions was the Stage One consultation. We replied with this letter on 18 December.

We have since learnt that traffic calming using speed cushions does not need a Traffic Regulation Order and that there is local consultation at the same time as the statutory consultees are notified. Here are the plans of the speed cushion locations we were sent on 29 November: Full proposal, Plan 1, Plan 2.

We’ll be on the ball in future!

3.13 Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme

Here’s another wide road, in Shettleston, and the residents are concerned about the high speeds of motor vehicles. Here’s the email that we received on 29 November:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Duror Street) Traffic Calming Scheme

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.

Background to the proposed Scheme

The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme

The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

Duror Street

Details of the proposed Scheme

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

• 5 sets of 4, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions.
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 20 December 2019).”

This is the letter submitted on 18 December, suggesting that the road be stopped up to motor traffic midway. As with the item above, from now on, traffic calming proposals will be published in these Digests soon after receipt. However, if you become aware of moves to reduce motor speeds in your locality do let GoBike know and do let your local council know that you want something better than speed cushions or tables.

3.14 Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December

Notes from Gartnavel Active Travel Route Meeting 18.12.2019 from GoBike member Caroline:
“The meeting was held to discuss plans to improve cycling conditions within the Gartnavel Hospital site.
Second Next Bike station, sited in close proximity to Hyndland Train Station exit – highly likely to be installed.
Additional covered bike parking requested, it was advised that there may be additional facilities required e.g. showers to promote cycle commuting to staff.
Connectivity with QEUH – it was advised that this will be reviewed as part of a wider NHSGG strategy to improve access to sites. Sustrans advised that they would welcome a Glasgow-wide application for matched funding.
Widening the existing path from Hyndland Station was touted as a possibility by Sustrans, but their rep was reminded of the conflict this could lead to between pedestrians and those on bikes.
Site visit- highlighted need for design improvements at the Great Western Road (GWR) junction and to connect the shared use path that runs parallel to GWR (continuing on road past the restaurant), desire lines across grass, asked why path wasn’t continued here – GCC were too late with funding, allegedly. Also Hughenden residents objected to cycle route running past their homes.
Second desire line running alongside steps down to Hyndland Station – Sustrans rep requested that a ramp be installed here. ScotRail have been consulted about installing a Falco ramp on the Underpass steps at Hyndland Station, but they might object as the stairway width is insufficient. The need for improved signage and wayfinding on proposed routes was highlighted, and it was requested that the access from Claythorn be improved to better accommodate non-standard bikes e.g. tag-alongs/ trikes. I asked what the longer-term strategy was to improve the hostile cycling conditions bordering the hospital site. Crow Road has been prioritised for 20mph limit, however Sustrans advised it’s unlikely to be implemented any time soon, improvements will be made to the Southbrae Drive/ Crow Road junction and access to Jordanhill Station but the future of cycling on Great Western Road remains unknown. I asked if GCC have an interim Transport Strategy to aid decision-making until the Transport Strategy is completed in 2021 but they don’t; Sustrans stated they are still using the Transport Strategy that related to the Commonwealth Games, which doesn’t contain much relating to those commutes starting outwith the city-centre.” 

That’s a lot of information, but Caroline does make the point that Crow Road and Great Western Road are still not attractive cycling routes.

______________________________________________

Enjoy yourself over Christmas and the New Year. Your next Digest will be with you in January.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW ** Cycling in Glasgow, on-line Survey by Aberdeen University Student, closes ??
2. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Main Issues Report, Local Development Plan 2, closes TODAY at 5pm
3. East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan, closes 13 December
4. Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December
5. Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, closes 13 December
6. East Dunbartonshire, proposed TRO Maxwell Avenue, traffic calming, closes 16 December
7. South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December
8. Glasgow Roads “APSE” on-line survey, closes 24 December
9. **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December
10. Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
11. **NEW** Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) closes 10 January 2020
12. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 17 January 2020
13. **NEW** Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020
14. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, (previously City Centre Strategic Development Framework), closing date extended from 17 January to 14 February 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. GoBike meets Glasgow City Council, 13 December
2. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive, City Council response to GoBike letter

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

Note: 5 of the consultations in this section were new in the last Digest, Digest 48, so, if you can, you might wish to open that issue in a separate tab for reference – saves it all being repeated in this issue.

1.1 **NEW ** Cycling in Glasgow, on-line Survey by Aberdeen University Student, closes ??

Here’s a short on-line survey for you, with some questions you probably haven’t been asked before! These are the details that Mohammad Alattar, a PhD student at Aberdeen University sent to GoBike on 04 December:

“Given that active travel (AT), which refers to any transport that includes physical activity (such as walking, cycling, using mobility aid) for all or part of a journey, improves individuals’ life quality as well as the community as a whole, this questionnaire forms a part of a PhD thesis on entitled “Towards Active Travel-Oriented Cities: Urban Spatial and Soundscape Analysis”. The aim of this project is to investigate various aspects of active travel such as the determinants of AT, reasons to AT, auditory information while ATing, built environment elements that influence AT and AT trips. Although this survey collects data about AT in the City of Glasgow, it is believed that data collected from this survey will help to better understand AT a wider scale.”

https://app.maptionnaire.com/en/6112/

Do please follow the link above and help Mohammad with his studies. We have no closing date, so perhaps do it before you forget?

1.2 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Main Issues Report, Local Development Plan 2, closes TODAY at 5pm

This is a new slant on the consultation that we last reported on at Item 1.1 of Digest 47 and we were reminded of it (perhaps we just hadn’t delved far enough?) on 04 December with this email:

“Good afternoon,
There is still time to have a say on the new Main Issues Report (MIR), a key step on the path towards an updated Local Development Plan. The MIR sets out key priorities and preferred options for future development throughout East Dunbartonshire. Consultation ends on Tuesday 10 December 2019 (5pm).
Visit the following webpage for full details: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council/consultations/main-issues-report-consultation
Reference copies of the MIR and paper questionnaires are also available to view at Community Hubs and libraries.
Regards,
Land Planning Policy Team“

Here’s the GoBike response. Do please follow the link and complete the survey (at least this one, for the main issues, this afternoon – if you can.

1.3 East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan, closes 13 December

The above is a proposal, done by GoBike member, Iain, for Spiersbridge Roundabout, when East Renfrewshire were looking at improving their roundabouts, see Digest 9, Item 1.1 and Digest 10, Item 1.2 (where the GoBike proposals for this and Eastwood Toll were shown). This was all back in May 2018 and we have heard nothing since.

East Renfrewshire are now consulting on their Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), as detailed first in Digest 47, Item 1.5 and several GoBike members have been to local events to see the plans. They are, as many of these LDPs are, very general and don’t make mention of specifics such as improving hazardous roundabouts. You may see the proposals here. GoBike member Emily, with support from Thomas, has developed this letter of response that was submitted on 08 December. The letter comments on the generality of the documents but does go on to mention some specifics that need to be done if the active travel aims are to be realised.

Do write in to East Renfrewshire if you live, work or cycle in the area, to voice your concerns.

1.4 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December

The proposals to bring some order into the chaotic parking from Dalmarnock Station west to the new Police Scotland offices formed a new item in Digest 48, Item 1.5. We had responded to the Stage One proposals (and published them) in early autumn and we are fully supportive of these proposals. Our letter of support, mentioning the requirements for:

1. Good connections from the area to the riverside cycle and foot path (NCN 7) and
2. Liaison with South Lanarkshire Council to prevent parking on the cycle lanes on Shawfield Road/Glasgow Road just across the river from the police offices.

will be submitted before the end of the week.

This is an important one to support – the car-commuters will be out in strength to oppose these proposals.

1.5 Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, closes 13 December

Item 6 in Digest 48 gave the details for the proposed parking restrictions on the new road between the new Robroyston Station north-west to meet the roundabout at Junction 2 on the M80. GoBike will submit a letter of support for the proposals but we will point out the need for good cycle infrastructure from Robroyston itself along this new road to the station – why aren’t such things included from the outset?

1.6 East Dunbartonshire, proposed TRO Maxwell Avenue, traffic calming, closes 16 December

This was a new proposal in Digest 47, Item 1.6, although we had responded to the preliminary consultation on this back in Digest 27, Item 3.4 at the beginning of 2019. We are very concerned about the need to slow down motor traffic in this area near a railway station, a care home and a primary school and there is no doubt that more people would cycle here if there were good cycle facilities. GoBike will submit a letter of support, although we will express the concern that the speed tables, with just a 0.75m gap from the table to the kerb, are pushing bikes into the gutter.

1.7 South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December

This scheme was a new proposal in Digest 48, Item 1.8, to upgrade this major artery in East Kilbride and realise the economic potential of the area etc etc, and the details are here. There is a very short survey – please do complete it. It doesn’t take long to realise that the proposals are aimed to help the private motor user, so no surprise there, even though all the right words are used about the environment etc. GoBike has written in this letter of concern and objection.

Do please follow the link to the details of this scheme and the survey; there are no apparent active travel upgrades to the roundabouts and so how are we expected to negotiate them?

1.8 Glasgow, Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) Roads Satisfaction Survey on-line survey, closes 24 December

Further to Item 1.1 in Digest 48, we now have confirmation that this survey is open for 2 more weeks, so do please complete it, if you haven’t already. We also know what “APSE” stands for! Here’s a reminder email that we received on 06 December from the City Council:

“The Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) is undertaking a satisfaction survey of residents, visitors and workers of Glasgow in regards to Roads. You can provide your views by following the link below.

If you would also be able to distribute the survey to members/clients of your group it would be very helpful so that we can get a wide range of responses.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/glasgow-city-2 “

It’s an easy and quick survey to do so please get your views in – and remember, if we had good roads (and good cycle facilities) then lots more people would be cycling on them!

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December

Sighthill, just to the north of the M8 and the city centre, is being redeveloped and now as the area is becoming quite well established, here’s a proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit across the area. Just a few weeks ago, in Digest 46, Item 1.5 we published, in error as we now know, the Stage One proposals and we supported the move, with this letter.

The email we received from the City Council on 29 November is:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SIGHTHILL), (MANDATORY 20mph SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_

Further to my consultation email of 21^st 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.

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, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 27^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to in the email are: Press Notice, Relevant Map, Statement of Reasons, Detailed Report and one we haven’t seen before, the Proposed Order.

We’ll be supporting this move and hoping that is it properly enforced and also that Sighthill looks as idyllic as the publicity photo above!

1.10 Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020

This proposal was Item 1.9 in Digest 48 and we are less than happy with it. The experimental TRO, issued in June 2018, had this as its objective: “The purpose of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is to determine the effect of permitting taxis to access the segregated section of the Finnieston Bridge and to determine the effect on the journey time of buses currently using the Fastlink infrastructure.“

Apparently there has been no detrimental effect on the journey time of buses, but this isn’t where the holdups are. The main holdup is on Lancefield Quay where there is no bus segregation and the secondary one is the traffic lights on the bridge itself, which don’t appear to give the buses any priority at all.

However, the influential taxi lobby is no doubt very pleased with this turn of events, whereas those of us who cycle continue to lose out on Fastlink. The whole scheme is a mish-mash of bits we are allowed on and bits we aren’t and, while the photo above shows someone cycling in the bus (and now taxi) lane over the bridge, there is no evidence that the traffic lights will give any priority to this active traveller.

We claimed before that the whole scheme needs reassessment and we’ll put this view forward again.

1.11 **NEW** Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) closes 10 January 2020

Jim, from Cycling Scotland UK – Scotland, told us about this last time, Digest 48, Item 2.1 and here it is. This is the email that GoBike received on 03 December:

“Subject: STPR2 – Online Survey

Hi,

Transport Scotland is conducting an online survey for the Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), a Scotland-wide review of the strategic transport network across all transport modes.

We are writing to all stakeholders that have attended or been invited to STPR2 events and other appropriate organisations to make them aware that this survey is now live.

STPR2 will inform transport investment in Scotland for the next twenty years and you and/or your organisation’s input will help Transport Scotland to deliver the vision, priorities and outcomes for transport set out in the draft National Transport Strategy (NTS2).

Further information and a link to the survey can be found at www.transport.gov.scot/stpr2

If you are aware of any other individuals and/or organisations that would wish to complete the survey, please do forward this email to them.

We will also be promoting the survey on Transport Scotland social media feeds and it would be appreciated if you could help spread the word by sharing this content on your own channels if it is appropriate to do so.  Our main accounts can be accessed below.

The survey, which is being undertaken on behalf of Transport Scotland by the STPR2 project teams at Jacobs and AECOM, will close at 5pm on Friday 10th January 2020.

For any further queries concerning STPR2, please contact   info@stpr2surveys.co.uk“

This is a good survey to do with room at the end for your personal views – and you only need to read these Digests to see that there is a lack of compliance with the Sustainable Transport Heirarchy: motor priority on side streets on cycle schemes, taxi priority on the Squinty Bridge, two-way cycling denied to provide more on-street car storage and on and on it goes!

1.12 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 17 January 2020

This topic chills the bones! It was first mentioned in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and the link to the consultation is here and we will hopefully have the GoBike response done soon.

1.13 **NEW** Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020

In our Consultation Extra on 29 November, we told you about the consultation event on 22 January, see Item 2.2 below. This is an important addition to the City’s currently sparse network of cycling routes so do please have a look and complete the survey; here’s the link to the City Council website

Here’s the email that we received from the City Council on 29 November:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

Dear Go-Bike,

Neighbourhoods and Sustainability are seeking to gain the views and comments of the local community and wider public with regards proposals to extend the South-West City Way active travel route.  The proposals will link the existing route at Shields Road, along St Andrews Drive to Pollok Country Park.  Current proposals include a segregated cycle route, footway improvements, upgraded pedestrian crossings, improved Bus / Public Transport access as well as major junction works to improve active travel  journeys.

As part of this work an information gathering event is proposed at St Alberts Primary School,  36 Maxwell Drive, on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 between 3.30pm and 7pm, where the public will be able to view proposed designs for infrastructure upgrades and make comments on the proposals.

In addition to the event a webpage will be available from the 2nd of December 2019 for a period of 2 months. Visitors to this website can view drawings of the proposed design and provide comments through an online feedback process. The address for the Webpage is www.glasgow.gov.uk/swcw. This website will go live on the 2^nd of December 2019.  

I trust this information is of assistance.

Kind Regards.”

St Andrews Drive is a good, wide road with plenty of room for cycle lanes. GoBike is already compiling a response, but do please have a look at the information on-line, attend on the 22nd of next month if you can and do complete the survey

1.14 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, (previously City Centre Strategic Development Framework), closing date extended from 17 January to 14 February 2020

This was first mentioned in Digest 48, Item 1.11, the link to the document is here and we are working on the GoBike response. Note the change of date for responses.

The name has changed and so has the lead picture since 2 weeks ago. The link still works so do please have a look at what is proposed for the centre of Scotland’s largest city.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 GoBike meets Glasgow City Council, 13 December

Yes, on Friday, Ali, Tricia and Brenda from GoBike are setting off to meet some of the people working on parking (motors not bikes) and traffic calming schemes at their new offices on London Road. We are hoping to discuss some of the issues of concern such as permeability for cycling and good street design. We’ll let you know how we get on.

2.2 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

As per Item 1.13 above, there’s an information and consultation event on 22 January, and here’s the relevant extract from the City Council’s email of 29 November:

“As part of this work an information gathering event is proposed at St Alberts Primary School,  36 Maxwell Drive, on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 between 3.30pm and 7pm, where the public will be able to view proposed designs for infrastructure upgrades and make comments on the proposals.“

Do try and get along there if you can.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

Note: this section has been reduced because of time constraints in producing this Digest but there will be more information in the next Digest – look for it on 24 December – just in time to put in your stocking for a good read on Christmas Day!

3.1 Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive, City Council response to GoBike letter

GoBike submitted this response to the City Council’s consultation and details were in Digest 46, Item 1.7

On 04 December we received this email reply from the City Council:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (QUEEN MARGARET DRIVE) (TRAFFIC, REGULATION) ORDER 201__

Thank you for your undernoted e-mail of 28^th October 2019 enclosing comment regarding the above Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken with regard to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

I have responded to your comments below. These have been noted as observations on the merits of the project design but cannot be considered as objections to the TRO as they do not relate to the proposed revisions to waiting and loading regulations, which are the basis of the TRO procedure.

1. Priority Junctions: The side road junction layout is intended to slow vehicular traffic as it makes the turning manoeuvre. The cycle lane will be marked across the side street junction at footway / cycle lane level, with the side road accessed from Queen Margaret Drive via a ramped kerb unit wherever practicable. The material crossing the side street will be contrasting to that on the main cycle lane, as it will also be for the pedestrians. It is intended to use cautionary signage informing Queen Margaret Drive traffic of the presence of the bi-directional cycle lane. However, cyclists do not have priority crossing side road junctions where the cycle lane is at footway level. This is based on guidance from Police Scotland at this time and is consistent with the Highway Code. It is noted that updated national design guidelines are under development and that this guidance may change at some point in the future. On Queen Margaret Drive, the Give Way marking on “exit only” streets will be placed behind the cycle lane to reduce the likelihood of vehicles blocking the cycle lane whilst waiting but the cycle lane will be marked with “Slow” markings advising the cyclist to exercise caution. On “entry only” streets the vehicle leaving the main carriageway has priority and the same “slow” markings will be applied. It is also considered that for the most part cyclists will be able to proceed across the side street unimpeded due to the low volumes of traffic.
2. Why is the Route Bi-directional? A bi-directional route was selected following the assessment of comments received at public consultation events. Constructing a bi-directional route on the west side of Queen Margaret Drive was also considered to be the most practicable solution whilst upgrading the pedestrian space and retaining parking and loading outside the shops on the east side in line with stakeholder requests.
3. Southbound Access to the Cycle Route Please note the drawing is a TRO drawing and as such does not show many design details. Northbound cycles will traverse the tactile paving at the school Toucan crossing and re-join the Queen Margaret Drive bus lane via a drop kerb. Southbound cycles can leave the road at a drop kerb at the end of the bus bay, immediately before the Toucan crossing, prior to then crossing the road at the school via the formal crossing point and then continuing on the cycle route.
4. Extension to Byres Road and Maryhill Road The current termination at Hamilton Road roundabout is temporary. In the short term, cyclists will re-join the road at the roundabout for onward travel. However, it is planned to extend the bi-directional route to Great Western Road where it will connect with proposals for Byres Road and the bus lanes on Great Western Road. Whilst these proposals are not included in the Queen Margaret Drive scheme it is hoped to develop them in parallel with the Byres Road project. At the north end the main cycle route will turn right along Kelvinside Avenue where cycles will be able to connect to Maryhill Road and the canal path. Cyclists will also have the option of re-joining the Queen Margaret Drive carriageway at the school crossing point and continuing on-road to the Maryhill Road / Bilsland Drive junction. There are no proposals to incorporate cycle facilities at this junction at this time.
5. Cycle Lane Width? The bi-directional cycle lane is as wide as is practicable within the confines of the existing road and other stakeholder requirements and will vary between 2.5m and 3.0m excluding the buffer strip and delineation kerb. At bus stops the cycle lane will be narrowed to a single lane to facilitate the safe boarding / alighting of buses. This arrangement is preferred on safety grounds to a non-descript multi-user space at these points – resulting in cyclists having to give way to oncoming cyclists. However as it is anticipated that demand will be largely tidal, it is not expected that this arrangement will have any real detrimental impact on cycle journey times.

I trust this of assistance.
Yours sincerely,” etc

Quite a bit of information is given in that reply but not much of it is reassuring. The concern continues about priority at side roads and why would the cycle lanes continue to give access to the canal path, but not the major artery of Maryhill Road?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Lots to think about in that reply in that last item but quite a few surveys for you to get your fingers tapping to. Particularly if the weather continues as it is today!
Digest 50 will be out on 24 December, for you to read after your Desperate Dan Annual!

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Glasgow, Road Satisfaction on-line survey, closes ??
2. Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 (Variation No. 2) 20__-Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November
3. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road and Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December
4. East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December
6. **NEW** Glasgow City Council (Robroyston Station) Traffic Regulation Order 201_ , closes 13 December
7. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December
8. **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December
9. **NEW** Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
10. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
11. **NEW** Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Scottish Government, Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Elmbank Street, we have found an alternative route!
2. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Lenzie Waiting Restrictions
3. Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 open through Glasgow Green during events
4. Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to bring in a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow
5. Glasgow, South West City Way at Buchanan Wharf (Clyde Place and West Street), progress!

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** Glasgow, Road Satisfaction on-line survey, closes ??

GoBike members Derek and Neil alerted us to this on-line survey. The City Council is looking for residents’ views of the city’s roads. As seems quite standard with these things there is no closing date given, so please try to respond as soon as you can, using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/glasgow-city-2

1.2 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 (Variation No. 2) 20__-Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November

The publication of these proposals was reported in Digest 47, Item 1.3 and GoBike fully supports the proposed restriction on parking. We’ll be writing in later this week confirming our support.

1.3 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road and Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December

These proposals have been in recent Digests, including Digest 47, Item 1.4. While we support protected cycle lanes and are concerned about shared footways, we recognise that for those many people who do not wish to cycle on road with all the single occupancy motor commuters at this busy junction area, these proposals will improve their journey. Our letter of response is here.

1.4 East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December

This was first mentioned in Digest 47, Item 1.5 and we have now started a new channel on Slack for GoBike members who live, work or have a strong interest in East Renfrewshire active travel. Members have been to the Local Consultation events and are busy finding out the issues and concerns about the Local Development Plan 2. Here’s the link to the document and consultation details. If you would like to get involved, do please contact us. We aim to have a GoBike response ready in good time for 13 December.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December

Yes, this is another that we unwittingly published at the Stage 1 Consultation Stage. Our response, given in Digest 46, Item 1.2, one of support, but also concern about parking being displaced across the river, is here. The City Council replied on 12 November with this email:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DALMARNOCK WEST) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20__

Thank you for your comments on behalf of GoBike, in relation to the above named Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
I note your comments regarding Shawfield Road and would advise that this falls outwith the Glasgow City boundary and is not included within the above TRO.

However, your comments regarding this and your further comments about the National Cycle Route 75, have been passed to the appropriate team, who will respond to you in due course. 

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require further information please contact my assistant, (Name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The information now put firmly in the public domain and sent to us with this email on 18 November is here:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DALMARNOCK WEST) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20___

Further to my consultation email of 4^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.

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 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

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

GoBike will maintain its support for these proposals but will emphasise the points we made before about Cycle Route 75 and our concern about parking transferring to South Lanarkshire, just across the river. Do write in to the Council if these proposals affect you or you have a view on them.

1.6 Glasgow City Council (Robroyston Station) Traffic Regulation Order 201_ (OFFICIAL), closes 13 December

Stage 1, north of the railway
GoBike received the initial proposals for this scheme, to restrict parking on a new road (not shown on this map) from the M80 (at the roundabout to the north-west of the new station) to the station itself on 28 October 2019. We replied on 19 November with this letter, basically saying that we support the parking restrictions but that cycle lanes should be constructed from Robroyston along this new road to the station.

Here’s the email reply that we received from the City Council on 22 November:

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

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ROBROYSTON STATION), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of GoBike.
It is intended to provide cycle measures on Station Road to connect to Robroyston Station and this will be subject to future consultation.

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require further information please contact my assistant (name and contact details removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely” etc

Note the intention to “provide cycle measures”!

Public consultation 2018, south of the railway
This would link in excellently to the proposal we submitted for cycle lanes to be constructed in conjunction with parking restrictions on Station Road Millerston, linking the new station to the A80 Cumbernauld Road last October. Our final mention of that consultation was Item 1.1 in Digest 22. Here’s our letter of support with comments .

For the proposal above, for Station Road, Millerston, it slipped our notice last year that the eastern side of Station Road is in North Lanarkshire, not Glasgow, so residents in the houses on the right-hand side of the road in the photo above might well be plagued by cars left outside their homes once the station opens in a few weeks!

Public Consultation north of the railway
This brings us back to the public consultation for the new road north of the railway and this email that we received on 21 November 2019:

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

Dear Sir/Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ROBROYSTON STATION), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

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 and detailed report. Additional corner protection has been added to the initial draft order at Millersneuk Crescent to ensure safe access for the local community.

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, Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to in the email: Press Notice, map/plan, Report and Statement of Reasons.

We will be repeating our request for cycle lanes on this new road in our response. The overall scheme has the potential of creating good active travel access from Robroyston across to Hogganfield Loch and the Seven Lochs wetland park . The east and north of the city has been neglected so far on the active travel front and this is a chance to address that shortfall. Do please write in to support our suggestion!

For these overall works, ie the new road to the north of the railway, the double yellow lining on all the new road and the west side of Station Road south of the railway plus the east side of Station Road at the railway end – see this plan from last year for the Station Road Millerston proposal, it’s critical that there is liaison between Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire! If you live in Glasgow Ward 17, Robroyston, Glasgow Ward 21, North East or North Lanarkshire Ward 5, Stepps, Chryston & Muirhead do please contact your councillors to press on them the need for good cycling provision.

One of the councillors for Ward 17 is Martin McElroy, who briefly oversaw cycling issues in the previous Glasgow administration and spoke at a GoBike AGM a few years ago. He also cycles regularly, so do please contact him if this is your ward.

1.7 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December

This was a new public consultation that we publicised in Digest 47, Item 1.6. We commented on the proposal at the initial stage with a view that the gap at the side of the speed tables should be more than 750mm. This hasn’t been included in the final proposal but we will not object to the scheme overall.

1.8 **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December

GoBike member, Derek, posted this on Slack and all those of you who live, work or travel in East Kilbride please do take notice of this. Here is the link to the proposal, with photos and videos plus details of how to respond.

Derek’s comment on this Stewartfield Way fly through video screenshot is: “Looks like narrow shared path, not primary cycle route as marked in amended network plan. Huge roundabout in background with few crossings.” Certainly, just a quick look at the website link gives the impression that the proposals are to cater for the motor vehicle congestion by building more road, rather than looking for modal change, with the emphasis on public and active travel. Derek gives us another comment, probably from twitter “consultation on dualling. Narrow shared paths, few crossings but now dressed up like it’s primary route in active travel network.”

Do please get your views in – this may be done on-line; see the link given above, and repeated here.

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020

In June 2018 we received the proposals for an experimental TRO to allow taxis and authorised vehicles to use the Finnieston/Clyde Arc/Squinty Bridge for an 18-month period. This was reported in Digest 11, Item 1.8 and we were not happy. Here’s the letter of objection that we submitted on 08 June 2018.

The City Council have apparently decided to make the trial a permanent feature and here’s the email that we received on 25 November:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

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

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 Projects Manager, Project Management and Design, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, 231 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 3^rd January 2020.
Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to in the email are here: Press Notice, Map/Plan, Statement of Reasons and Report.

We are unaware of any improvements that have been made to the active travel regime in the area of this bridge and Fastlink overall, but presumably there have been no incidents reported to Police Scotland in the duration of the temporary TRO. No doubt the taxi operators are delighted with the additional road use they have gained! If you have any views on your experience of using this bridge do please email them to consultations@gobike.org so that they may be reflected in our first message of the New Year to the City Council.

1.10 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

This consultation was first given in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and we are hoping that we see the views of those organisations with more insight than us before submitting our response in the New Year. If you do see reviews of this proposal do please send the details to consultations@gobike.org

1.11 **NEW** Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

GoBike member, Pat, alerted us to this latest in the series of Strategic Development Frameworks for Glasgow. Here’s the link to the consultation and we will be reviewing it over the next few weeks. If you have any specific concerns do please let us know.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Scottish Government, Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

CyclingUK in Scotland alerted us to this forthcoming consultation and here’s the email that we got on 18 November:

“Hi campaigners and supporters

What’s on your cycling Christmas list? I’m talking about cycling infrastructure that you want in your area rather than new tyres for your bike or a thicker pair of gloves!

Government and their consultants are right now finalising an online consultation for the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) – a kind of spending review of major transport projects for the next 20 years. See this set of slides abut STPR2: https://transformscotland.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/STPR2-Presentation-1st-May-2018.pdf

The online consultation is a way of gathering ideas for consideration in the spending review. It’s massively important that we use this consultation to say what is needed in Scotland, and use it to give Government confidence that there is support for spending money on cycling infrastructure.

We expect the consultation to be launched this month so do look out for it. I want to give you advanced notice so you can think about how to work with others in your groups, clubs, and networks to develop ideas. I also want to be of assistance in helping you and will provide more information when I know more about the consultation. But please do get in touch if you want to discuss or if you have questions.

This consultation is important – STPR2 will apportion £billions on transport – we need to make the case for sustainable transport loud and clear and tell Government what we want.

Regards

Jim
Jim Densham
Campaigns and Policy Manager – Scotland
Cycling UK in Scotland
Email: jim.densham@cyclinguk.org“

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Elmbank Street, we have found an alternative route!

Regular readers of this Digest will surely remember the fury we vented on Glasgow City Council when, as part of the plans for the Sauchiehall Street Avenue and Cycle Lanes project (which we very much support) it became clear that there was to be no easy way to reach Sauchiehall Street from Elmbank Street and the busy area to the south of Bath Street?
At a stroke the north part of Elmbank Street was made one-way southbound, and why? To allow car parking on either side! Yes, even though there is a multi-storey car park on Elmbank Crescent to the rear of the King’s Theatre. Numerous requests were made to the City Council for details of the cycle route from Bath Street to Sauchiehall Street but, we were told, such detail was outwith the remit of the Sauchiehall Street project.

GoBike member, Derek (and note we have 2 very active members with the first name Derek), has now brought it to our attention that Bath Lane, running south to and parallel to Bath Street has been resurfaced from Elmbank Street to Holland Street. Holland Street, which was made one-way southbound from Sauchiehall Street to Bath Street for the duration of the works, has now reverted to being one-way northbound. Thus there is a feasible route from the two-way section of Elmbank Street, ie via Bath Lane and Holland Street.

This route, of course, is not signposted, so won’t be obvious to the many visitors to our fine city and it does not absolve our City Council of their refusal to allow contraflow cycling and improve permeability for cycle traffic.

3.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Lenzie Waiting Restrictions

Back in March we published proposals for parking restrictions in Lenzie and surrounding areas in East Dunbartonshire in Digest 30, Item 1.7. Our response, supporting the proposals was in Digest 31, Item 1.7. East Dunbartonshire have now approved the TRO and here’s the email that we received on 12 November:

“THE EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL (LENZIE) (WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2019

The above-mentioned Traffic Regulation Orders has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 6 January 2020. Enclosed are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the editions of the Kirkintilloch Herald which is published on 13 November 2019.

(See attached file: 191112 Lenzie Area – Waiting and Loading Restrictions.pdf)

Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services“

3.3 Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 open through Glasgow Green during events

As reported in Digest 47, Item 3.2, Bob Downie’s petition was heard by the City Council’s Wellbeing, Empowerment, Community and Citizen Engagement City Policy Committee on 14 November. Here is the Committee Report and the recommendations are:
“After consideration, the committee
(1) agreed that the issues raised in the petition deserved further attention; and
(2) instructed the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
(a) to implement his proposals
(i) to develop more robust, clear and visible signage directing cyclists and walkers to the alternative route when temporary closures of the National Cycle Route 75 were required;
(ii) to install early warning signs advising of up-coming events;
(iii) to arrange that the alternative route via the South embankment of the River Clyde be reviewed and improvements made to the surface and signage to further enhance the diversion; and
(iv) to ensure that officers engaged directly with affected groups; and
(b) to consider opportunities to consult alongside the major review of events and public parks. “

So far, so good. We’ll let you know if and when we hear any more.

3.4 Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to bring in a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow

Some of you might remember that back in 2015 Bob Downie presented his petition calling for the introduction of a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow. The petition was well received by Councillors but then fell away and the policy of bit by wee bit was reverted to. Well, a lot has happened since then so we can’t give Bob all the credit but Glasgow City Council has now agreed to roll out a 20 mph limit across the city, see: https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1442576-glasgow-roads-set-for-20mph-speed-limit-over-next-four-years/

This is good news indeed. GoBike has been supporting every new introduction of a 20 limit in the city but has been appalled at the arbitrary nature of these zones, of which there are now over 80. Yes, that’s right, over 80. Goodness knows how much all these have cost both in terms of TROs, signage and, of course collisions, as drivers go too fast for the conditions. It will be good to get some standardisation.

3.5 Glasgow, South West City Way at Buchanan Wharf (Clyde Place and West Street), progress!

GoBike members on Slack will be aware that we have been in correspondence with Fairhurst, the Design Consultant for the Barclays Bank development on Clyde Place, about concerns over the South West City Way. GoBike member, Tor, sent in this photo, which is on her daily commute, because vehicle drivers exiting Riverview Gardens, to the right on the photo, appeared to be taking no cognisance of cycle traffic, particularly if it was coming from their left.

The latest news from Fairhurst, is this email, sent today, 26 November:

“Please find attached our drawing number BWHARF-FHS-IN-XX-DR-D-94-151 C01 which shows changes to the road markings at West St / Riverview Gardens that have been approved by GCC, following consultation with them. The edge of carriageway and centre line markings that go through the cycleway are to be removed to help emphasise that cars are approaching a junction where they are to give way to cyclists. The Council preferred to retain give way lines rather than using a stop line.”

Lots of good news in the feedback in this Digest. Let’s hope that it’s not just a one-off and we have more to tell you in 2 weeks’ time.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Battlefield design proposals, on-line consultation, closes 14 June
2. Denmark Street, Possil, no waiting and loading at any time, closes 18 June
3. Sunnybank Street, Dalmarnock, traffic calming, closes 20 June
4. Garscube Road, parking and loading restrictions to allow construction of 2-way cycle lanes, closes 12 July
5. Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Safer Streets Pollokshields, Drop-in event Monday 17 June
2. St Enoch area consultation expected to be out on Friday 14 June

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. University Avenue consultations, GoBike responses and feedback on Campus Development meeting held 28 May
2. Laurieston 20mph proposal, Glasgow City Council response to our support for the proposal.
3. (City Centre)(Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No24)(Bus Priority) Order 2019

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Battlefield design proposals, on-line consultation, closes 14 June

There’s plenty of room on Grange Road, above, and Langside Road to connect the South City Way to Battlefield so please do respond to Sustrans’ request for comments on the proposals on-line

Here’s the message that we received from Emily Gait of Sustrans on 04 June:

“Thank you to everyone who has got involved in the Battlefield Street Design project so far. I’m emailing to let you know we have design ideas for the next area of the project which are open today for public feedback.
During March we asked for your comments on the design proposals for Battlefield Rest, Battlefield Road, Mount Florida, Queen’s Drive and the Monument. The feedback and comments from this public consultation will help develop and refine the concept design which will be presented again next month at our next public event where we’ll be outlining the next steps for the project.
Design proposals open for the northern project area
In the meantime we have been focusing on the northern project area and specifically the connection between Battlefield and the city centre. Following on from the feedback and comments we’ve received from the public so far we have created design ideas along Grange Road and Langside Road which include cycle segregation and look at improving pavement widths, bus stop locations and simplifying junctions.
Leave your feedback online
From today until 14^th June the designs are available online for public feedback and comments. Follow this link to view the designs –

https://battlefieldproposals.commonplace.is/overview and please share this with anyone else you think maybe interested.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Best regards,
Emily
Emily Gait
Community Engagement Officer | Street Design
Sustrans Scotland | Rosebery House | 9 Haymarket Terrace | Edinburgh | EH12 5EZ
07766 577774 | emily.gait@sustrans.org.uk“

1.2 Denmark Street, Possil, no waiting and loading at any time, closes 18 June

Denmark Street in Possil does not seem to be a cycle route but why not? Cycling is a cheap form of transport and would be just the thing to get people to the community centre on the right of the photo. Apparently, though, there is obstructive parking that puts pedestrians in danger, so Glasgow City Council propose to bring in “No waiting and no loading/unloading at any time” restrictions. Two questions come to mind:

1. Will they be enforced? We don’t see much sign of enforcement elsewhere.
2. Why aren’t cycle lanes being constructed?

Here’s the email that GoBike received on 28 May:

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

Dear Sir / Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DENMARK STREET), (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 Tuesday 18 June 2019.
Yours faithfully “
etc.

These are the documents referred to: Press Notice, Plan, Statement of Reason and Report.

This is one that GoBike will be supporting but we will point out the shortsightedness of the proposals.

1.3 Sunnybank Street, Dalmarnock, traffic calming, closes 20 June

Here’s a street that has a roadway and a footway, but where’s the cycleway? Not far from NCN75 and Cuningar Loop and the new housing development built for the Commonwealth Games in Dalmarnock has no cycling provision. Can you believe it? Course you can, it’s Glasgow. Never too late, though and there is plenty of room to get cycle lanes in before there is any more development – or is there?

Here’s the email that we got on 31 May from the City Council, proposing traffic calming – yes, more speed cushions:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (Sunnybank Street) 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, especially around the area of the new primary school.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme. The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Sunnybank Street

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

• 5 sets of 1.9m x 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions

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

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

So how counter-intuitive is that? A new development, a new primary school and no provision for active travel! We have just responded to consultation on road closures around 6 primary schools in other parts of the city and here’s a new school with planning measures now being taken to restrain those parents who choose to take their children by car.
The new school is being built on the east side of Sunnybank Street between Springfield Road and Auckland Wynd.

Here are the documents provided by the City Council: Plan and Spec.

GoBike will be opposing this measure and suggesting that measures be taken to restrict car use and to definitely construct good cycle facilities.

That was written before Rachel submitted this screenshot of the entrance to Sunnybank Street from Springfield Road:

So what is happening here? This view clearly shows that only buses, taxis and cycles are allowed into the northern part of Sunnybank Street!

This picture taken at approximately 16:45 on 12 June, shows the south end of the bus gate – shame about the road sign – that runs between Garvald Street and Springfield Road. While your Digest author was at the site numerous vehicle drivers ignored the signage – at one point 4 vehicles, 2 in each direction were on this short length of road, while others obeyed the signage. One driver turned back to inform your author, who was taking photos with a mobile phone, that this hasn’t been a bus lane since 2014! How kind, but how curious.

Prior to submission of the GoBike response, a check on the status of this signage will be made with Glasgow City Council, but either way, if 50% or so of vehicles ignore the signage, what is the point of it? If it is no longer valid it should be removed; if it is still valid it should be enforced.

If you live in the area, or have an interest, do please get in touch with the local councillors, or write into

1.4 Garscube Road, parking and loading restrictions to allow construction of 2-way cycle lanes, closes 12 July

We now have a proposal for a two-way cycle lane on the east side of Garscube Road (to the right on the photo above) from Firhill Road to Dobbies Loan. Here’s the email that GoBike received on 31 May:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road) (Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls)  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 ground for their objection in writing to Group Manager, Sustainable Transport, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday, 12 July 2019.
Yours faithfully”

Here are the documents referred to in the email: Press Notice, Relevant Map 1of 2, Relevant Map 2 of 2, Statement of Reasons and Detailed Report.

This is one that we will be supporting, although we do wish there would be a one-directional cycle lane each side. We will, though, be looking carefully at the plans to ensure they don’t repeat any concerns from elsewhere.

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

This is one that we heard about from a Community Council contact but you might be interested in the Future Policy Development of the vehicles you so often share an Advanced Cycle Box with?

Here’s the message that we received on 11 June:

“Message and attachment sent on behalf of Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee:
Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee
Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing

Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee‘s consultation on the future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing in Glasgow is now live. The Licensing and Regulatory Committee would be interested to hear views. The consultation document can be viewed using the link below:  
Consultation link to the Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing:  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/consultations

Please note that the consultation will close on Monday 29 July 2019 so all responses must be received by this date.“

This is the document that was attached to the message. GoBike has not yet determined its view on this but please do contact us if you consider there are critical points to raise.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Safer Streets Pollokshields, Drop-in event Monday 17 June

Bill Fraser, GoBike member, Pollokshields Community Councillor and chair of the Pollokshields Trust tells us that the local community has:
” funding approval from Sustrans for this project. We also have the necessary endorsement from GCC.
The attached proposal lists the objectives of the programme although this phase is principally a data gathering and opinion gathering exercise:

– Reduce dangerous driving behaviour within the area
– Facilitating safer walking and cycling
– Provide safer crossing points for pedestrians
– Create culture where active travel is given priority over car travel

We would appreciate Go Bike input based on your campaigning elsewhere:

The point of this research is to ensure it is holistic, remains community-led and contributes to the emerging Pollokshields Local Plan whose development has been funded by Making Places plus a live plan for Asset Transfer of a major piece of land as a Community Common. You can read about our progress so far on www.markmakers.org.uk . Subject to more funding scheduled for Summer 2019 we will complete this site’s refurbishment as an active community space by 2020-21.

Look forward to your input.
Best wishes
Bill Fraser
Chair, The Pollokshields Trust
A charity registered in Scotland (no.SC047413)“

2.2 St Enoch area consultation expected to be out on Friday 14 June

According to the Evening Times on 11 June, we can expect proposals for the regeneration of the St Enoch Area from the riverside to Argyle Street to be available from Friday!

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 University Avenue consultations, GoBike responses and details of Campus Development meeting held 28 May

In our Consultation Extra last Friday, 07 June, we published the 2 letters we have written in response to the 2 consultations for University Avenue.
This is the letter we sent in support of the proposal for 20mph and this is the objection we submitted to the proposal for waiting and loading restrictions and painted uphill cycle lanes.

Euan was one of the GoBike attendees at the Campus Development meeting held by Glasgow University on 28 May and has sent this short summary: ” It would appear the new campus will be accessible to cycles but unlikely to form a primary route. Their position on University Avenue remains unchanged: primarily for passing private motor traffic. “
Here are some images from the presentation given by the University:

3.2 Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 201_

We submitted our qualified letter of support for this proposal on 28 June. The closing date for the consultation was 07 June but already on 31 May we received this reply from Glasgow City Council:

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

Dear Miss Fort,

Thank you for your undernoted email and your support for the proposed 20mph zone as part of the Laurieston Phase 2 development.
With regard to your comment about introducing a mandatory 20mph zone throughout the city, I can advise that there is currently a bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament to reduce the speed limit on restricted roads from 30mph to 20mph. Restricted roads are normally street-lit urban or residential streets, although there are some exemptions to this. If this bill is passed into law, it would then set then a default mandatory speed limit of 20mph on restricted roads. Under current legislation, Local Authorities do have the ability to change the speed limit of roads to 20mph, however this has to be carried out on a road by road basis and as you can imagine is resource intensive.
I can advise that the enforcement of the permitted speed limit on a public road, be it 20mph or otherwise, is the responsibility of Police Scotland, not the local authority.

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

Michael Brady, Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

Just notice that very traditional salutation! That apart, it will be interesting to see Glasgow City Council’s reaction to the outcome of the 20mph default urban speed limit bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

3.3 (City Centre)(Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No24)(Bus Priority) Order 2019

Back in November last year, in Digest 22, in Item 1.5, we detailed consultation on Oswald Street (north of Midland Street) and Union Street plus parking changes that impinge on the contraflow cycle lane on West Nile Street. Here’s the letter of qualified support that we submitted.

We have now, 11 June, received this reply:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE)(TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION No24)(BUS PRIORITY) ORDER 2019

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of Go Bike and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal as advertised.
The Order was made on the 3rd June 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 6th June 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (name and contact phone number removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely“
etc

So no improvements to the original proposals to actively encourage cycling but at least there should be fewer cars for those of us who do cycle in the vicinity of Central Station.

That’s it for now, but let’s hope that Mark Ruskell’s bill for a default 20mph limit is successful this week.

Good news: Glasgow City Council is looking to reduce traffic on Oswald Street and Union Street (pictured left) in an attempt to cut emissions. Not so good news is that no cycle lanes are proposed but see more detail in item 1.5. Excellent news: consultation is underway on improving walking and cycling on the “Underline”, (see Item 1.3) but bad news is that there is still no word on the status of contraflow for Elmbank Street to allow northbound cycle access to Sauchiehall Street (see Item 3.1 for this). We have lots more for you in this issue so do please read on.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Station Road Millerston – Robroyston, FINAL REMINDER, CLOSES TOMORROW, 21 November
2. **NEW** Glasgow Early Years Capital Investment, closes Sunday 02 December
3. **NEW** Glasgow Underline Avenues Project, Sauchiehall Street to St George’s Cross, closes 09 December.
4. **NEW** Glasgow Secure Cycle Parking, closes 17 December
5. **NEW** Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order Bus Priority, ie Oswald Street and Union Street Bus Gates, closes 21 December
6. **NEW** The Scottish Parliament, Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) Bill Survey, closes 28 January 2019
7. ** NEW** TOMORROW! North Toryglen Green Space and Active Travel Design Proposals, Wednesday 21st Nov

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Transport Scotland Active Travel Meeting 22 November, STOP PRESS – POSTPONED to the New Year.
2. SPT Regional Transport Survey
3. Glasgow Avenues: North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Sauchiehall Street Elmbank Street
2. Road Justice, Westminster debate TODAY
3. Battlefield Design Event 15 November
4. Glasgow Avenues: Argyle Street
5. New bridge linking Yoker and Renfrew gains approval

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses, except for item 1.7, a late entry – it happens tomorrow, 21 November.

1.1 Glasgow Station Road Millerston – Robroyston, parking removal, closes TOMORROW, 21 November

We first raised this in Digest 20 and if you haven’t done so already do please get those fingers on the keyboard to support our response: GoBike Station Road Support and comments Letter 171018  If we don’t all get our view in that cycle lanes will act as both traffic calming (by narrowing the road) and encourage active travel, Station Road will become just one more road in Glasgow with speed tables, or even build outs, which we believe discourage active travel.

1.2 Glasgow Early Years Capital Investment, closes Sunday 02 December 

This is one that GoBike member Neil L, has told us about. It doesn’t apply to all of Glasgow but, if it applies to where you are, then you might wish to respond. Positive responses could encourage cycling to school and outdoor cycle practice or training. See here for details.

1.3 Glasgow City Centre Avenues Underline, initial designs for Sauchiehall Street precinct, Cambridge Street & New City Road to St George’s Cross, closes 09 December.

This is an exciting project, encouraging walking and cycling from St George’s Cross to Sauchiehall Street. It is proposed to light the underside of the M8, reduce the space given to motor traffic on New City Road and replace the death-defying cycle lane down the centre of Cambridge Street (see photo above). All the information is here and, if you ignore the artistic licence where the weather is better in the future, we hope you will agree, that this is just the thing Glasgow needs and what the City Deal money should be spent on. Click on “Consultations” once you have opened the link to the City Council website for further information, including the survey, to be shown.

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow Secure Cycle Parking, FOR RESIDENTS, closes 17 December

Iona, our co-convenor, told us about this one after she represented GoBike at the recent meeting of Glasgow City Council’s Active Travel Forum and here’s the introduction to the consultation from the Council’s website:

“Glasgow City Council is currently performing a feasibility study on the introduction of secure covered cycle parking for residents of Glasgow. The provision of these will help remove one of the major barriers to the uptake of cycling, namely the ability to conveniently and securely store a bike.
In the first instance we are looking to provide facilities at 50 locations across the city. 
This will prioritise those areas where housing includes tower blocks, flats and tenement properties.
This consultation page can be used by individuals and by organisations (such as community councils or housing associations) to suggest locations.”

This is for YOU, if you live in a flat with nowhere to store your bike(s), so do please get your community council and/or housing association and/or factor to add their voice to yours.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Order, Bus Priority on Oswald Street (north of Midland Street) and Union Street plus parking changes including West Nile Street, closes 21 December.

Behold the current cycling horror that is Union Street (left). Scottish Government Policy and Glasgow City Council, in line with the Low Emission Zone (which we fully agree with Friends of the Earth Scotland, could be better), propose to restrict private motor vehicles from here and the northern part of Oswald Street. That’s the good news. Not so good is that there are suggested parking changes that could have a negative impact on cycling in West Nile Street. If you have ventured onto the contraflow lane from St Vincent Street down to Gordon Street you will be aware that there is car parking on your left with moving traffic on your right. The proposal is to change this parking to disabled parking, something we are definitely not against. However, compared to standard parking spaces,  disabled parking spaces are wider (2.4m as opposed to 2.0m), and this could push people on bikes further towards the moving traffic in the northbound lane. There is a solution to this which we have suggested that relocates the cycle lane next to the footway, out of the stream of traffic, and also, with a buffer, out of the door zone. Given that only a couple of years ago we were shown plans by the City Council for cycle lanes right along West Nile Street (where are they now?) this change would be minor in comparison.

Another concern we have is the absence of any move to incorporate cycling into that major artery, Jamaica Street and Union Street. When, just a year or two ago, traffic was diverted along Midland Street and the northern part of Jamaica Street was made one way southwards, GoBike committee member, Peter, proposed a two-way cycle lane from the Clyde to Gordon Street, along Jamaica Street and Union Street, and then on to Queen Street, thus bringing cycle traffic from the Southside into the city with access to the two main railway stations. There’s no mention of that in the proposals. Read the detail in the “Advert” here with all the documents supplied by the City Council for you to peruse: CCTROv24Advert TS-5199-M-000-P-001A_TRO CCTRO(v24) Report Oct2018 CCTRO(v24)_SOR

You can see our response here: GoBike City Centre Bus Priority TRO qualified support 201118 . Please do add your voice: the email address for responses is land@glasgow.gov.uk

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

GoBike member Ellie, who’s also a leading light with Get Glasgow Moving alerted us to this survey from the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee. GoBike has been campaigning for the default urban speed limit to be reduced from 30 mph to 20 mph ever since our member Bob put his petition forward to Glasgow City Council early in 2015. It’s a short survey, do please complete it. Let’s make our towns and cities safer for us all by reducing motor vehicle speeds.

1.7  **NEW** North Toryglen Green Space and Active Travel Design Proposals, Wednesday 21st Nov

Just in in the nick for time via the Urban Roots twitter, and spotted by our member Brenda, green spaces and active travel routes are being looked at in and around North Toryglen at some presentations and sharing of ideas at Prospecthill Circus tomorrow.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Transport Scotland Active Travel meeting with Campaign Groups, 22 November, postponed until the New Year.

Tricia, the author of this Digest, was, until 5pm today, going to this meeting at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh on Thursday. Our colleagues from Spokes and Pedal on Parliament, among others have been invited. Transport Scotland have postponed, apologised for the short notice and will re-programme for the New Year, when the discussion will include a detailed discussion of the budget allocation for active travel, which was doubled at the last budget.

2.2 SPT Regional Transport Survey

GoBike committee member Rachel and our new co-convenor John attended a meeting with SPT on November 15, along with representatives from Cycling Scotland, Living Streets, Paths for All and Sustrans. There was a consensus that SPT should play a positive role in effecting modal shift from private transport to public and active travel. SPT are consulting with lots of partners, including twelve local authorities to develop a strategy. One of their next steps is to issue a public survey, which is going to look at what is not working across all transport modes. Sounds a bit negative – surely something must be working, but it should help their strategy and it’s clear that they are looking to improve. As soon as we hear the date for the survey, we’ll let you know.

2.3 Glasgow Avenues, North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street

If you read the Glasgow City Council website page for the Avenues in relation to the Underline, above, you will have seen this:

“North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street: consultation on these proposals will take place in early 2019.”

With Sauchiehall Street, the Underline, works at St George’s Cross/Woodside, Argyle Street (see Item 3.4 below) and modal filtering in the city centre (ie reducing private cars) and the South and East City Ways the city will really be changing if these two streets become avenues. North Hanover Street links in well to Sighthill and the North East Travel Routes we told you about in Digest 15 and Digest 16 . Goodness, it’s almost like there’s a plan!

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Centre Traffic Management Sauchiehall Street Elmbank Street

Most of you will be aware that work is proceeding on the cycle lanes on Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose Street, but there is one factor that really concerns us. Some road changes are being made and one of them is to make Elmbank Street from Sauchiehall Street to Bath Street, or for those of you who navigate differently, from the Variety Bar to the Griffin, one-way southbound, with NO exemption for bikes!

Essentially, our concern is that there will be no route from the area around Charing Cross Station to Sauchiehall Street without either going west over the motorway to North Street and then into Sauchiehall Street or going south down Elmbank Street and via St Vincent Street, Pitt Street and Blythswood Square!

In February 2017 we submitted this response to the consultation for the cycle lanes: GoBike Sauchiehall Street partial support 280217 and in February this year we responded to the City Council who were not amenable to two-way cycling on Elmbank Street. We have heard nothing since then and so emailed again on 15 November. Here is the grand email chain: Sauchiehall Elmbank email chain 2017-8  The only response so far is from the newly formed Blythswood and Broomielaw Community Council, who were not operating at the time of the original consultation.

3.2 Road Justice, Westminster Debate TODAY

We raised the issue of consultation on new cycling offences in Digest17 along with the call to action from CyclingUK. 13,000 people responded to CyclingUK, so well done if you were one of them. The consultation closed on 05 November but our MPs are debating this today. Last week CyclingUK put out a call to its members to contact their MP, which some of you might have responded to. If you didn’t you might want to check the link and let your MP know your view.

3.3 Glasgow Battlefield Public Consultation Event 15 November

Several GoBike members, including co-convenor Iona, and Digest author Tricia attended this event, along with members of the public and the local councillor, Anna Richardson. The proposals currently for Battlefield show one of the three roads around Battlefield Rest being closed – which one will be decided further to consultation. Also, uni-directional cycle lanes are shown from Grange Road through to Battlefield Road, so it’s generally, despite concerns about the number of homes Sanctuary wish to build on the old hospital site and possibly on the car park on the new hospital side and a view from some residents for no change, looking positive. News just in today from Sustrans:

“Last Thursday we displayed the feedback we’ve gathered so far and gave you the opportunity to put your ideas into designs using a 3D miniature model kit and maps of the area. To view the information on display and photos of the event please visit our latest project blog.
The next stage of the project is to gather these comments and ideas from the event and with the background data, material and facts from the discover stage we will commence forming the outline design for the area. These designs will be open to your comments in March. In the meantime we will be holding more local events in your area including led rides, local walks and film screenings. Please follow our project news for the latest updates by visiting https://battlefield.commonplace.is/ where you can subscribe to the ‘News’ section.”

Further updates as they become available.

3.4 Glasgow Avenues, Argyle Street

Also on Glasgow City Council’s Avenues website page is this news: “Argyle Street eastwards from M8 junction 19, Trongate and Dixon Street: consultation on these initial proposals took place in June 2018 and has now closed.  The visualisations used for that public consultation have been archived under Related Documents.” So it’s looking good, folks.

3.5 New bridge linking Yoker and Renfrew gains approval.

Neil L told us about this news from Renfrewshire Council. Scottish ministers have approved the construction of a new opening bridge across the Clyde – and it will have cycle lanes, we are told. See here for details.

Quite an exciting bumper bundle there – do get your responses in to ensure Glasgow City Council staff get a lot of mail in the run-up to Christmas!

Many thanks to Iona for keeping you up-to-date so well while I was off on a big tour of Kenya – four weeks without getting on a bike – and what news there was. A massive rethink on Byres Road! Didn’t we all do well! That’s the power of lots of us letting people know our views, so please keep writing and answering those surveys. Let’s hope Byres Road does become as peaceful as this earlier publicity picture suggests, but with those all important segregated cycle lanes.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, East City Way, closes TOMORROW, 10 October
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Albert Drive Traffic Calming, closes 18 October
3. **NEW** South West Scotland Transport Study, closes 16 November
4. UK Government, Department of Transport, Open Consultation, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling, closes 05 November plus CyclingUK call to action

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. East Renfrewshire

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Byres Road
2. Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West Parking Controls
3. Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf
4. City Deal Quay Wall
5. Scotstounhill – Jordanhill Parking Changes
6. Mosspark Cardonald Parking Changes
7. UK Road Safety Management Capacity Review, information from Brake, the Road Safety Charity
8. London Road/Charlotte Street Junction
9. Battlefield Design Working Group
10. Glasgow North East Travel Routes
11. Finnieston/Clyde Arc/Squinty Bridge, Temporary TRO to allow taxis
12. George Square, Glasgow, today’s update.
13. GoBike Ride, Govan, Paisley and Jura Street

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

A bit of a lull on new consultations following a busy few weeks, but please make sure you respond to the ones of interest to you.

1.1  Glasgow, East City Way, closes TOMORROW, 10 October

We hope you managed to get along to the consultation event but if not, here’s a repeat of the consultation extra that came out last week:

The East City Way will ultimately be a 7km fully bidirectional segregated cycle lane running from Mount Vernon past Parkhead and the Chris Hoy Velodrome up to the existing lane on London Road. We have been really pleased to see more safe segregated cycle lanes being proposed for Glasgow, and especially glad to see this now happening in the under provided for area of the east end. Plans for segregated cycle lanes always need our support and so if you have a couple of minutes, please fill out a really quick response here.

The survey is very simple with only around four check boxes asking whether you are in favour of certain aspects of the plans. We have answered yes to all of those and have added that we feel that if traffic calming is added, that it should be in conjunction with making the area a 20 mph zone with associated enforcement.

We have also sent in this letter of support which also makes a couple of suggestions on how the current Mount Vernon junction might be improved for cycles crossing. We have also reiterated that while we would never object to bidirectional cycle lanes, and appreciate that gathering support for them is easier, we hope that uni-directional lanes are always considered as the first, safest, and best quality option.

Do please answer the quick survey!

1.2 **NEW** Glasgow, Albert Drive Traffic Calming, closes 18 October

We were sent this message on 27 September from the City Council:

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

 Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ALBERT DRIVE), TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME 2018

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.

Background to the proposed Scheme

The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme

The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

ALBERT DRIVE

Details of the proposed Scheme

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

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

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

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant Sandy Carle on 0141 287 8205.

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

Yours faithfully

Andy Waddell

Head of Infrastructure and Environment, Land and Environmental Services”

The plan referred to is here: Pollokshields Traffic Calming plan

A local GoBike member has told us that the measures have been proposed to deter “boy racers”. In the past when boy racers were disturbing a central area of the city, it was proposed to break the circuit they drove in, but we are not aware of any such measure being proposed here. Could Albert Drive to the west of Shields Road be stopped up to cars but with access maintained for bikes? Could the wide road conducive to speeding be narrowed by installing bike lanes using orca-type separators or planters on each side of the road? That would stop the footway parking too, and parking bays on the outside of the bike lanes would further narrow the road. This western part of Albert Drive has a 30mph speed limit, which would become 20mph if Mark Ruskell’s 20mph bill is approved in the Scottish Parliament.

We have been made aware that a Safe Streets Pollokshields traffic project has had funding agreed for the area, and we would strongly support a longer term plan approach with the proposed holistic traffic calming plan, which would be more cost effective than putting in expensive speed tables now, and looking at the wider area later. In fact, we were actually told when we called the council department with our “cheap cycle lanes to narrow the street” suggestion, that there isn’t money to install orcas or planters. So why has the response been to install speed tables (even with a 0.5m gap at each side for a standard bicycle) rather than making Albert Drive active travel friendly? Our letter proposing a rethink is here: GoBike Albert Drive speed tables comments letter 091018

STOP PRESS: an improvement to the Traffic Calming plan.

On Friday Tricia spoke to the engineer who had designed the traffic calming layout and, although the above plan does not show it well, he had allowed a 0.5m gap near the kerbs to allow bikes to bypass the speed tables. Further to the discussion a new drawing has been issued to us today, Albert Drive TC amended detail and this gap has now been widened to 1.2m, which will allow not just a standard bike but cargo bikes and tricycles to avoid the speed tables. This is a big improvement, although we would still wish to see cycle lanes ….

1.3 **NEW** South West Scotland Transport Study, closes 16 November

This is a survey with a difference; it’s about travel connections in the south west and it is specifically aimed at people who live and work there. However, I’ve responded on a personal level on the grounds that this is an area that’s difficult to get to by public transport, if you wish to then tour by bike. Until there is a better train service or provision of buses with space for bikes, then this area is missing a significant tourist market. You might wish to respond too.

1.4 UK Government, Department of Transport, Open Consultation, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling, closes 05 November plus CyclingUK call to action

We introduced this in Digest17 item 1.8. Please do respond to this but also please look at the Cycling UK request to write to your MP. We need a full review of all road transport offences, rather than a kneejerk response on cycling only.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 East Renfrewshire

We are hopeful that we will soon start to receive notification of East Renfrewshire consultations. Our co-convenor recently e-mailed a contact we have in the council to voice concerns from several of our members that recent removal of the urban clearway restrictions on the cycle lane on the A77, Ayr Road, could lead to vehicles being parked in the cycle lanes during commuting times, thus adding potential hazard to people’s commutes. We were aware that there had been some consultation on this, which we were not party to, but we have now formally asked to be added to the list of consultees.

If any of you out there in East Renfrewshire or other council regions within the Greater Glasgow areas do hear of consultations that might affect your cycling, please get in touch and let us know. We’ll see what we can do.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Byres Road

This is the big success story, is it not? There is to be a rethink further to Green Councillor, Christy Mearns’ (remember seeing her at the GoBike hustings prior to the City Council elections last year?) participation in last week’s council debate. Here’s the quote from her Facebook page:

“At Neighbourhoods, Housing & Public Realm policy committee this week, I had an amendment passed which will ensure that, in response to overwhelming consultation responses, future Byres Road proposals will prioritise fully segregated cycle lanes for the entire road, and air quality monitoring will be done before new plans are finalised.

Any more proposals which do not make is safer for everyone to cycle would be a missed opportunity and would do nothing to improve air quality or make cycling more attractive.”

We’ll keep you updated on the future proposals.

3.2 Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West parking controls

We mentioned this last in Digest 14 when we responded to a reply from GCC about parking changes. Last month we received a long reply from them; we think we are making some slow progress in the overall plan of things, and we have acknowledged their response: HH&D GCC response 2 190918

3.3 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf planning application

Details of this planning application were in Digest 14 item 1.2. Our main concern when we replied was that the South West City Way would not be downgraded. We have now received a standard reply, with a link to the on-line conditions etc but no obvious mention of the cycle route: Buchanan Wharf response 011018

The response to the Traffic Regulation Order and the views received from the developers, given in Digest17 items 3.1 and 3.2 with their insistence that they did not wish to redevelop the area with the three-lane Clyde Place next to the site, should make an improvement to the area.

3.4 City Deal Quay Wall

Not a consultation, but some good news from Glasgow City Council’s website that they are to work with the owners of the river walls to improve their condition: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23230  This will certainly improve things along the Clyde and who knows, we might even soon have a river front to be proud of.

3.5 Scotstoun / Jordanhill parking changes

We responded to proposed parking changes in this area back in April with this letter: GoBike Scotstoun Jordanhill Parking letter 030418  as reported in Digest 5, and we have now received this confirmation that work will go ahead:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SCOTSTOUN/JORDANHILL)

(TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 2018

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal as advertised.  

The Order was made on 28 September 2018 and an advert will be placed in the Evening Times on 5 October 2018 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant …. “

We pointed out in our letter that it is a shame that instructions in the Highway Code, in this case not to park opposite or within 10m of a junction, need to be reinforced by a Traffic Regulation Order, paint on the road and street signs. Ah, if only we had more traffic wardens….

3.6 Mosspark / Cardonald parking changes

We responded to this consultation as reported in Digest 18 item 1.3, approving the introduction of parking restrictions but pointing out the need for monitoring and enforcement of parking. We received this reply from the Traffic and Road Safety section of Glasgow City Council on 13 September:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, MOSSPARK/CARDONALD

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.

Just like any other new parking scheme the restrictions will be added to the Parking Enforcement schedule and patrolled accordingly.

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which informs of the outcome. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the result.”

Aah, monitoring and enforcement …

3.7 UK Road Safety Management Capacity Review, information from Brake, the Road Safety Charity

Not necessarily a consultation, but here’s a link to a report, which Neil L pointed us to, http://www.brake.org.uk/media-centre/1843-report-finds-insufficient-government-leadership-and-funding-for-road-safety-over-past-decade which includes the finding “Road safety is not perceived as core business by all responsible agencies.” I don’t think that will come to a surprise to many of us, but it does help to explain the lack of coordination by Local Authorities, who bring in 20mph speed limits, and Police Scotland, who aren’t resourced to control them, let alone parking changes, which are managed by the local authority itself.

3.8 Calton Barras London Road/Charlotte Street Junction

Over the last few years there has been local consultation on changes in the Calton Barras area of Glasgow and those of you who have visited the Barras will have seen the new paving to roads and footways. There are changes afoot for the Gallowgate and London Road and on Tuesday 2nd October Calton Community Council and GoBike were invited to see what is proposed for the junction of London Road with Charlotte Street. Currently there is a pedestrian crossing set back from London Road plus a cycle lane that runs along London Road, which also has a crossing. The intention is to combine these two crossings into one, and importantly, have it showing a green light. This will only change to red when a motor vehicle (and we hope also a bike) is detected travelling north on Charlotte Street (which is one-way northbound). Should there be a big flow of traffic on Charlotte Street someone walking or cycling will be able to press the crossing button to return the pedestrian signal to green.

If this works, and we hope it will, since the City Council’s intention is to prioritise active travel, it will have an obvious attraction to be used at other locations.

3.9 Battlefield Design Working Group

Further to the Battlefield Consultation event on 4th September that our co-convenor Iona attended and that she reported on in Digest 18 item 1.4, we have now been invited to join the Battlefield Design Working Group. We are delighted about this and look forward to being represented at the group’s first meeting later this month.

3.10 Glasgow North East Active Travel Routes

Last month in Digest 15 item 1.2 and in Digest 16 item 1.1 we reported on the exciting news of a cycle route from Balornock into the city centre. We responded to the consultation with this letter GoBike NE Active Travel Routes comments 190818 and we have now received this detailed reply dated 04 October:

“I refer to your undernoted email and attached correspondence in response to the North East Active Travel Routes consultation and can advise as follows:

2. Give way markings for side roads along Northgate Road will be behind the continuous cycle route. Coloured screed is proposed along the cycle route at side roads junctions to highlight the presence of the lane. Tightening of radii is proposed at Geddes Road junction to calm traffic and assist crossing. Adding a raised table to calm traffic further and assist pedestrians is an option for consideration as part of the remodelling of this junction, though it would not provide pedestrian priority. Raised tables are proposed in other locations along the extent of the proposed route, where appropriate. Dropped kerbs are already in place at side roads along Northgate Road.
3. Zebra crossings are proposed on Wallacewell Road. Signalised crossings on Broomfield Road are proposed due to the relative positions of the school/mini-roundabout.
4. There is scope for possible future widening, in places, if required, although some sections are constrained due to overall road width.
5. There are no reductions in cycle lane width on the Northgate Road and Stobhill Hospital link sections, but some localised narrowing is required at bus stops elsewhere along route due to cross-sectional road profile geometry.
6. There are no plans for continuous cyclist access over existing bridge as part of the currently proposed phases. Resources for the feasibility study into bridge upgrade/replacement over the railway are still to be allocated, but it is intended that the study be completed during this phase of works and that any potential upgrade/replacement would then be a separate follow-on phase of works.
7. The existing pedestrian route width will be retained (approx. 2 m along Turner Road and 3 m along Cobden Road). A separated, delineated 3 m bi-directional route along both sections is proposed for cyclists.
8. The Sighthill TRA includes a signalised crossing at the western end of Cobden Path. The crossing will be toucanised, providing continuous travel by cyclists and pedestrians.
9. The proposed specification for the Sighthill TRA Cycling Village is published at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/sighthill.
10. Cycle provision from Baird Street and Kyle Street into the City Centre is covered by the City Centre Transport Strategy, published at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=18276.”

We will be writing in to thank the author for this detailed response. If any of you out there need any clarification do please get in touch at consultations@gobike.org

3.11 Glasgow City Council, Finnieston  (aka Clyde Arc, aka Squinty) Bridge, temporary TRO to allow taxis to use the Fastlink bus and cycle lane

We last reported on this Temporary Traffic Regulation Order in Digest17 item 3.7 and before that in Digest 14 and Digest 11 We have now had confirmation, on 4th September, that the TRO has been approved. Here’s the message we were sent:

“I refer to your objection to the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your objection was reported and considered. However, the Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal as advertised

The Order was made on 16 August 2018 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 21 August 2018 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

I realise that this may not be the outcome you wished for, however, this Order is purely experimental and will last no longer than 18 months. If the trial is deemed to be successful the process of amending the permanent Traffic Regulation Order will be started, allowing all parties to lodge objections. At that time the additional works in and around the Scottish Events Campus may be underway, with one of the planned outcomes being to reduce the congestion at the north end of the Finnieston Bridge, reducing waiting time for all users, but I am, at present, unable to provide you with definitive details of the planned works.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant …”

What we aren’t told is how the City Council will measure whether the measure of allowing all taxis to use the bus and cycle lanes, is successful, so when we thank them for this reply we will be asking that question.

3.12 George Square, Glasgow, today’s update

Just in today, a message from the Council Leader, Susan Aitken:

“Dear Tricia

Thank you for getting in touch and apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Your comments and response has been added to the thousands of responses we have received to the George Square consultations.

Officers are currently in the process of reading and summarising the comments and hope to produce a report in the near future. I hope this is of assistance to you.

Regards Cllr Aitken”

We had reported on this earlier in Digest17 item 1.4

3.13 Sunday’s GoBike ride, Cycling in Govan, towards the Airport and Jura Street.

The highlight of our ride on Sunday, the refurbished fountain in Fountain Gardens in Paisley – always something to delight on a GoBike ride! Well done to Andy Preece our ride leader, for finding not only this but the Paisley Horseshoe.

On Sunday’s GoBike ride, braving the wind and rain, eight intrepid souls set off from Bell’s Bridge to Kilmacolm. On the way, we cycled along Summertown Road in Govan, the subject of consultation some years ago. Travelling west there is now a shared footway on the south, which crosses to the north side, made very unsatisfactory with streetworks, before going on road as far as Broomloan Road. We then made our way through Elder Park before crossing the main road, the A739, via the underpass, to travel south over the motorway to Cardonald. As we bumped down kerbs from a very narrow footway to cross Shieldhall Road, one of our group commented that “It beggars belief  how bad the facilities are.” This, the QEUH, is a jewel in the crown of the NHS, but we have never had a positive response when we have asked for good quality cycle and active travel provision.

In Paisley, we saw signs leading towards the airport, but we were not overwhelmed by the cycle facilities we saw.

The intention on our return journey was to look at the cycle lanes on Jura Street, just off Paisley Road West, opposite Bellahouston Park, but nothing has yet been done, despite the consultation being held in March this year. This was a bit of a disappointment but we look forward to an overall Paisley Road West scheme!

Lots of feedback there, the dialogue continues!

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Section 1: Current Consultations – in date order for response

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

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

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

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

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

We received this message last Monday, 27 August:

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

 Dear Sir or Madam,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your email and support of the proposal.

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

1.5 A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

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

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

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

“Public Drop-in Exhibitions

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Stakeholder and Community Workshop

Friday 7^th September 2018, Maryhill Burgh Halls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

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

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

3.2 Clyde Place Traffic Regulation Order

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

3.3 Byres Road Update

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

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

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

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

3.4 Calton Barras 20mph speed limit

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

3.5 Greendyke Street Traffic Calming

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

3.6 South City Way

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

3.7 Squinty Bridge, taxis on bus lanes

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

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

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

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

3.9 Living Streets Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

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

The link is here

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

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

3.11 Renfrewshire new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Black Cart

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

“Green light for cycle bridge into investment area.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The book does have some slight flaws:

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

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

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

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, Bunhouse Road, closes 27 July
2. Glasgow, Buchanan Wharf, closes 07 August
3. East Dunbartonshire, Lennoxtown Draft Place Consultation, closes 13 August
4. Sustrans National Cycle Network Review, ongoing but survey closed

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West parking – GoBike further response
2. Greendyke Street traffic calming
3. Finnieston Bridge (Squinty Bridge/Clyde Arc) GCC response to our objection to the Experimental TRO

Section 1: Current Consultations – in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow Bunhouse Road, closes this Friday, 27 July

The proposals for Bunhouse Road and Benalder Street near Kelvinhall were put forward by Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council as part of their vision for a Cycling Village and, as such, deserve our support. Full details were given in Digest 12 and GoBike has submitted this letter of qualified support GoBike Bunhouse Road support 230718  The intention is good but there is a lack of detail on the drawings issued by the City Council and there’s a curious arrangement proposed for the north end of Benalder Street at the junction with Beith Street; the cycle route crosses from the east to west side of the street and no information is given as to what is proposed for Beith Street. That said, the proposals will form a link from Kelvingrove Park to the Clydeside cycleway and should help people living and working in the area to cycle safely.

1.2 **NEW** Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow, planning application, closes 07 August

Neil F brought this one to our attention – thanks, Neil.  The planning application, ref 18/02021/MSC may be seen at: https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PBA6E2EXM1E00 but you might need to put in the application reference, 18/02021/MSC, in your search for it.

The picture shows what it might look like and there’s a video here that gives an insight to the proposals.  The South West City Way is shown schematically but there’s not a bike to be seen in the visuals! We’ve written in to say we would like to see the cycle route upgraded if anything to cope with the projected demand from the development, and certainly not downgraded, see: GoBike Buchanan Wharf comments 240717

1.3 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Draft Lennoxtown Place Plan Consultation, closes Monday 13 August

Lennoxtown is the gateway to the Crow Road for a challenging and popular road climb towards Fintry, and it’s just off the eastern end of the Strathblane Railway Path that runs from Milton of Campsie to Strathblane, so many of us will know the area. The consultation document is quite general but there is a wish expressed to reduce excessive traffic speeds, to stop illegal parking on Main Street and to encourage walking and cycling. If you live in the area or cycle through please do respond to the survey.

1.3 **NEW** Sustrans National Cycle Network Review Survey

Sustrans are currently undertaking a national review of the National Cycle Network. We managed to get our response in just before the survey closed, but we apologise that we didn’t get the news out to you in time to also contribute. The review is ongoing though, with a request for participants to their user panel pending. More info on the wider review is here.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing that we know of but we expect more coming through after the Fair Fortnight.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West parking and traffic management

In Digest 13 we included the reply we had received from Glasgow City Council to our letter supporting the proposed parking controls, GoBike Hyndland Hughenden & Dowanhill West comments 250618 although we also included our views on parking taking precedence over cycling in the area.

We have now responded to their response, copying it to the four local councillors and the City’s Convenor for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, and here it is: HH&D GoBike response 2 200718

3.2 Greendyke Street, traffic calming

Greendyke Street, near Glasgow Green, is in the area of Calton proposed for a 20mph speed limit, but apparently needs some form of traffic calming, not just a few 20mph markings on the road to slow vehicles down. All the details were in Digest 11 and our letter of objection to the proposal for buildouts, allowing the continuation of parking, rather than constructing cycle lanes is here: GoBike Greendyke Street Traffic Calming 210617

We haven’t yet had a response from the City Council but one of our members, who submitted a personal objection to the proposals has received this reply:

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

 Dear (name removed for privacy)

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (GREENDYKE STREET), TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME 20__

I am writing to confirm receipt of your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and thank you for your comments. Your comments have been noted and will form part of the decision making process.

Regarding your comments,

• Unfortunately a zebra crossing and a dedicated cycle lane would require a new order, so it’s not possible for this one but if desired could be considered in the future.
• The build outs are within the existing parking bays, they pose no more of a danger than parked cars and enough space will been made between these and the speed cushions to allow cyclists to safely pass. This will also reduce carriageway width to slow traffic.
• Enforcement is Police matter not council but speed surveys have shown reduction in average city Centre speeds since implementation.

Yours faithfully

Andy Waddell

Head of Infrastructure and Environment, Land and Environmental Services”

No consultation was carried out before the Traffic Regulation Order was published and obviously no cognisance has been taken of cycling and the need to increase active travel. While the Riverside cycle route through Glasgow Green was closed recently for the Trnsmt Festival people were cycling on the footway along Greendyke Street rather than on the roadway. What we would like to know is where is this demand for safe cycling being recognised?

3.3 Finnieston/Clyde Arc/Squinty Bridge, GCC response to our Objection to the Experimental TRO

You may remember that in Digest 11 we were going squinty about an Experimental TRO to allow taxis to use the bus and cycle lanes over this bridge for 18 months?  We submitted this objection: GoBike Finnieston Bridge Experiment TRO Objection 080618

Glasgow City Council have today, at 4pm – almost missing our print deadline – sent us this detailed reply, which we now need to consider: Finnieston Bridge GCC response 240718

That’s all for another fortnight but do please respond to the issues that affect you.  The more responses the better.

Monday, 3pm – 6:45pm, Conference Room, Govanhill Housing
Association,Samaritan House,
79 Coplaw Street, Glasgow, G42 7JG

Tuesday, 3pm – 7pm, Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow, G5 9DS

See these documents for further details: Spring 2018 Consultations – SCW A3 poster  Residents letter May 2018 consultations

The TRO documents are here: TS-5056-M-000-P-039A-TRO  TS-5056-M-000-P-038A-TRO  SCW_Pressadvert_08May18  SCW TRO report  SCW (Victoria Rd _ Pollokshaws Rd)_SOR

We will be reminding you of this TRO consultation, which closes on 22 June, in our next Consultations Digest, out next Tuesday, but do please have a look at the documents, see if they match up to expectations and, if you can, get along to at least one of the 2 public consultation events.