Some major consultations for Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and the wider region (via Clyde Metro), so time for an update…

East Dunbartonshire

Westerhill Development Road – Revised Design

EDC Consultations page says “details coming soon”?
Deadline: Monday 24 February 2025.

Glasgow City

Custom House Quay & Carlton Place – Community Engagement Phase 2

See information boards showing plans (Google Drive). The public consultation event has already passed but the online survey is open. See further background on the project website.
Deadline: Thursday 13 February 2025.

Glasgow City Network – Inner North and South

Consultation on additional routes – see Inner North and South storymap for plans and feedback form.

In-person events:

• Wednesday 5 February: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00 – 20:00
  Destiny Church, Gym Hall, 1120 Pollokshaws Road G41 3QP
• Thursday 6 February: 16:00 – 19:00
  Pollokshields Library, 30 Leslie St, Glasgow G41 2LF
• Monday 10 February: 15:00 – 18:00
  Spirit of Springburn Community Hub, Springburn Shopping Centre
• Tuesday 18 February: 15:00 – 19:00
  Clay Community Church / Café, Bardowie Street Hall, 206 Bardowie Street G22 5AB

No obvious deadline but Stage 2 finishes in March.

ADDITION: Saracen Street Active Travel Project

Segregated route either on Balmore Rd and part of Saracen St or a ‘Cyclestreet’ behind shops – round Sunnylaw St and along Carbeth St (next to new development). The rest would be a “mixed traffic route” on Hamiltonhill Rd towards canal/Garscube Rd.
See Saracen St storymap (note: link to PDF plans in Storymap doesn’t seem to work).

Public drop-in session (as above for Inner North, City Network):
Tuesday 18 February: 15:00-19:00 at Bardowie Street Hall, 206 Bardowie St, G22 5AB

Deadline: 10 March 2025

Forthcoming consultation – Connecting Battlefield

We’ve heard revised plans are due at some point this month in Spring.

Glasgow City Region

Clyde Metro – Vision, Objectives and Options Webinar

Update about network options and the Case for Investment (CFI). See Clyde Metro: Progress Update Stakeholder Engagement (PDF), Clyde Metro – Case for Change and Network Options Non-Technical Summary and SPT project page.

Network map options (see image links in Summary document, above):

• Option A – Light Rapid Transit (Bus Rapid Transit, Tram, and Tram/Train), shared LRT/heavy rail and converted heavy rail;
• Option B – Light Rapid Transit (more new links);
• Option C – less LRT, more converted heavy rail (fewer new links);
• Option D – Light Rapid Transit, shared LRT/heavy rail.

Online events – registration:

• Tuesday 4 February: 11:00 – 11:45 (MS Teams)
• Thursday 6 February: 15:00 – 15:45 (MS Teams)

Inverclyde

Kirn Drive Consultation

Improvements to Kirn Drive and Staffa Street – proposals for one-way westbound.
Deadline: Friday 7 February 2025.

North Lanarkshire

Local Transport Strategy (2025–2035)

Consultation on “key problems, issues and opportunities relating to transport and travel across North Lanarkshire that you are currently experiencing”. There should be plenty to talk about after the issues with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy (only building widened pavement/shared path routes) and their recent road building programme.
See the LTS online survey (or paper copies in libraries).
Deadline: Monday 17 February 2025.

Tell us about your place

Gathering views to inform North Lanarkshire’s Local Development Plan – TUAYP web page and online survey (adult).

In-person events:

• Coatbridge Library, 3 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Airdrie Library, 4 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Wishaw Library, 5 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Cumbernauld Library, 6 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Kilsyth Library, 7 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Shotts Library, 10 February, 12pm – 2:30pm
• Motherwell Library, 11 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Chryston Library, 12 February, 2pm – 4:30pm
• Bellshill Library, 13 February, 11am – 1:30pm

Deadline: 28 February 2025

Core paths plan consultation

Review of 2011 plan – Core paths web page and paths online survey (via ETHOS).
Deadline: 6 April 2025.

South Lanarkshire

No consultations but works are underway to add traffic signals in Hamilton on Gateside Street/Johnstone Road. Part of a City Deal programme according to a South Lanarkshire View article (no obvious consultation or plans online).

This Digest comes after Great Britain & Northern Ireland won a handful of cycling medals at Toyko 2020. One was for mountain biking while the rest were in BMX (where Sir Chris Hoy started). Both are covered by the Velo Park proposal from North Lanarkshire Council (but NLC have dropped the cycleway to Motherwell train station). There are also several consultations for East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow plus one for East Renfrewshire.

The ban on pavement parking was made law in the Scottish Parliament in 2019. Last year, GoBike wondered when it would come into force (Digest 65, Item 3.4) – it seems it’s due to be 2023. Living Streets want you to write to your MSPs about bringing it forward.

People of all abilities can cycle at facilities run by Freewheel North – who are trying to fundraise just now, in case you want to contribute.

Infrastructure Update

• Sighthill’s new pedestrian/cycle bridge has been installed over the M8 (but won’t be open for a while yet). GoBike convenor, Thomas, spoke about it on STV!
• At the canal, the Claypits nature reserve officially opened at the weekend, including the zigzag ramp from Garscube Rd.
• The Stockingfield Bridge at the canal is being assembled but won’t be up and running until next year.
• North Canal Bank St – work is getting there but it missed its July re-opening date.
• At Kelvin Hall, Argyle St/Bunhouse Rd has bike lights installed, but not yet operational.
• Thomas visited Corkerhill Rd’s soft segregated lanes.
• He also let us know South City Way’s new cycle counters are up-and-running.
• Outdoor seating in the sun was popular along Sauchiehall St’s permanent lanes and the pop-ups at Candleriggs/George Square and Cambridge St.
• In East Kilbride, University Hospital Hairmyres has a new path into south of site (from Strathtay Ave).

Contents
(new consultations in bold – link jumps to article)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – City Centre Traffic Management Order 2010: Variation No.29, GHA Parking Areas (ends 3 Aug – today!)
2. St. Paul’s Youth Forum – Flourishing Molendinar second consultation (ends 6 Aug)
3. Glasgow City Council – Garnethill Traffic Management and Parking Controls Order (ends 13 Aug)
4. East Dunbartonshire Council – Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration (ends 15 Aug)
5. East Dunbartonshire Council – Schools waiting and loading orders (ends 16 Aug)
6. East Dunbartonshire Council – Lenzie Rd, Kirkintilloch waiting and loading order (ends 16 Aug)
7. East Dunbartonshire Council – Civic Way/Lenzie Rd, traffic management (ends 16 Aug)
8. Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order (ends 20 Aug)
9. North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Entrance/Velo Park Project (until end of Aug)
10. East Renfrewshire Council – Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2
11. Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation (ends 2 Sep)
12. Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework (ends 3 Sep)
13. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (ends 28 Sep)
14. Glasgow Urban Sports – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. North Lanarkshire Council – Planning Application (20/00345/FUL) Access to Motherwell train station

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – City Centre Traffic Management Order 2010: Variation No.29, GHA Parking Areas

Glasgow Housing Association’s parking areas are in Townhead, east of Buchanan Bus Station, behind the high flats. Resident’s parking spaces around Kennedy St and St Mungo Avenue have been used as free parking by shoppers/commuters. This order introduces parking restrictions (as covered in Digest 91, Item 1.1).

GoBike agreed with these measures in our Stage 1 GHA response and latest GHA response.

There are the usual documents for a TRO: plan of GHA parking areas, GHA areas draft report, GHA areas press notice and the usual statement of reasons. Respond by e-mail to lestraffic@glasgow.gov.uk  by 3 August 2021.

1.2: St. Paul’s Youth Forum – Flourishing Molendinar second consultation

The Flourishing Molendinar project covers an area around Blackhill in the north east of Glasgow. As seen in Digest 91, Item 1.2, the next stage of the Flourishing Molendinar project has produced new plans for consultation. Proposals include a pedestrianised section on Langdale St, segregated cycleways on Cumbernauld Rd and Royston Rd.

Permanent segregated lanes on Royston Rd would continue east of Provanmill Rd, where the current pop-up lanes peter out, past the Langdale St/Robroyston Rd junction. This wouldn’t just connect Blackhill towards the city centre, it’s also just across the M80 footbridge from Barmulloch. The junction is also a route to a school, St Philomena’s RC Primary School, where pupils have been doing their own plans in Minecraft software.

For more on the above, see the FloMo survey (ends 6 August).

1.3: Glasgow City Council – Garnethill Traffic Management and Parking Controls Order

Garnethill is perched above Sauchiehall St and Cambridge St, up some of the steepest streets in the city centre. As we said in Digest 91, Item 1.3, it’s due to get parking controls, which stem from a consultation event in 2018.

Garnethill also has a lot of existing one way streets, which don’t allow for contraflow cycling. In our Garnethill Stage 1 response, GoBike objected to this and other measures. Very little had changed since, apart from a few parking spaces, so we re-iterated our objections in our response to the published Garnethill order.

See the restrictions in the TRO documents: Garnethill plan, Garnethill draft report, Garnethill press notice and the standard Statement of Reasons. Email: garnethillparking@glasgow.gov.uk by 13 August.

1.4: East Dunbartonshire Council – Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration

This consultation is about not just Bishopbriggs town centre, but also phase 5 of Bishopbriggs Relief Road (BRR5) and the A803 corridor. Cycling doesn’t get much of a mention, as we said in Digest 91, Item 1.4. That’s despite Bishopbriggs being so close to the Forth & Clyde canal and to Glasgow (where the A803 changes from Kirkintilloch Rd to Springburn Rd). If you want to put a word in for cycling, see the Bishopbriggs consultation webpage and Bishopbriggs Public Realm Plan survey by 15 August.

1.5: East Dunbartonshire Council – Schools waiting and loading orders

A series of orders from East Dunbartonshire bring in parking restrictions around the following nine primary schools:

• Clober Primary School, Milngavie
• Westerton Primary School, Bearsden
• Meadowburn Primary School, Bishopbriggs
• St Matthew’s Primary School, Bishopbriggs
• Wester Cleddens Primary School, Bishopbriggs
• Gartconner Primary School, Kirkintilloch
• Holy Family Primary School, Kirkintilloch
• Craighead Primary School, Milton of Campsie
• Torrance Primary School, Torrance

All include ‘no waiting’ restrictions between 8.30 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4.30pm. The Clober, Westerton, Craighead and Torrance school plans have sections with no waiting at any time (mostly on corners/school entry roads).

See the plans and other PDF documents for details: Bearsden/Milngavie schools plans, Bearsden/Milngavie schools order, ‘west’ schools Schedules & Statement of reasons, Bearsden/Milngavie schools notice, Bishopbriggs/Kirkintilloch/Milton of Campsie/Torrance schools plans, ‘east’ schools order, ‘east’ schools Schedules & Statement of reasons, ‘east’ schools notice, Bishopbriggs consolidated order and Milton of Campsie consolidated order.

Send any comments to the Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer by post or email by 16 August.

1.6: East Dunbartonshire Council – Linnhe Ave/Thums Ave/Ochil Rd waiting and loading order

Immediately east of the above map are Linnhe Ave, Thums Ave and the Ochil Rd cul-de-sac (near Wester Cleddens Rd). Linnhe Ave is due to have no waiting or loading at any time, across from the shops on Woodhill Rd. Thums Ave and Ochil Rd are due to have restrictions only between 8.30 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4.30pm. Presumably, the times relate to the nearby Thomas Muir Primary School and Bishopbriggs Academy, which have a gate on Ochil Rd.

See the PDF documents: Linnhe Ave/Thums Ave/Ochil Rd plan, Linnhe Ave/Thums Ave/Ochil Rd order and Linnhe Ave/Thums Ave/Ochil Rd notice. Send any comments to the Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer by post or email by 16 August.

1.7: East Dunbartonshire Council – Civic Way/Lenzie Rd, traffic management

Civic Way, Kirkintinlloch was the site of the former East Dunbartonshire Council headquarters (the building was demolished in 2015). New, affordable housing is being built on the site, south of Civic Way. On the road itself, EDC plan to add a speed bump with parking restrictions round the corner on Lenzie Rd.

See the PDF documents: Lenzie Rd plan, Lenzie Rd order, Lenzie Rd notice, Civic Way notice, Kirkintilloch consolidated order. Send any comments to the Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer by post or email by 16 August.

1.8: Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order

The Auldhouse area in this order is just south of Pollokshaws East train station and the White Cart Water. It’s a triangle bounded by Kilmarnock Rd, Auldhouse Rd and Nether Auldhouse Rd.

It’s mostly along similar lines to other parking controls elsewhere. However, there are a few back lanes between Riverford Rd and Ellisland Rd which will be signed as ‘access only’ for motor vehicles. If those are followed, they should allow bikes to have a slightly quieter north-south route. However, the road surfaces are either rough tarmac or cobbles so they might not be that quiet!

See the PDF documents: Auldhouse plan, Auldhouse report, Auldhouse notice and the catch-all Statement of Reasons.

1.9: North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Entrance/Velo Park Project

The ‘entrance’ is a bit confusing as most people don’t realise Strathclyde Country Park goes past Bothwellhaugh Rd and the railway, up to Bellshill Rd (A721). The area north of the loch includes the South Calder Water, Bothwellhaugh Cemetery, Bellshill Golf Club and the South Calder Walkway off-road path network. NLC propose to thread mountain bike trails around these, as shown in image, below.

NLC have a patchy record with similar projects like mountain bike trails in Forgewood and skate ramps in Motherwell and Wishaw. However, there is a successful skatepark in Airdrie and a BMX race track in Cumbernauld. The council have taken some input from Socialtrack, who created and run the excellent Wishawhill Wood pump track in Craigneuk. These plans include a pump track but it’s not designed yet (there’s just an example track photo).

The ‘Hub/Skills area’ of the new velo park would be at the edge of Bellshill (next to the roundabout on Motherwell Rd/A721). It could be a great facility for young people around the Bellshill area. The existing Greenlink path makes it more accessible from North Motherwell too (but it doesn’t link to Ravenscraig, as claimed).

The new route into Strathclyde Country Park should broaden active travel access from Bellshill and Motherwell. This project doesn’t include any paths near the Raith Interchange bridges (as suggested on Facebook). The new routes are indirect and sloping, so are less likely to help cycle commuters around Bellshill.

If you cycle in the area, see the Bellshill Entrance & Velo Park info page. You can email comments to GreenspaceProjects@northlan.gov.uk. The page says the process should lead to a Sport Scotland application this month so email before the end of August.

1.10: East Renfrewshire Council – Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2

As covered in Digest 91, Item 1.5, Ayr Rd through Newton Mearns is a main active travel route into Glasgow. This phase 2 consultation is about replacing the phase 1 cones with light segregation, removing some segregation and adding parking bays (one with the bike lane outside it and trialing a parking-protected bike lane for the other).

Light segregation options include ‘flexible delineator posts’ or ‘wand orca’ units. For examples, maps and more details, see the Ayr Road Phase 2 Commonplace page. No obvious deadline on this one.

1.11: Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation

As in Digest 90, Item 1.3 this consultation is about phase 2 of the Low Emission Zone in Glasgow city centre (between the M8, river and High St). Phase 1 only applied to local buses. Phase 2 will include all vehicles entering the zone area (unless exempt) but enforcement is only due to start in June 2023.

The short survey asks you about issues like the size of the LEZ area and the grace periods. See the Glasgow LEZ consultation page and LEZ online survey. Closes on 2 September 2021.

1.12: Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework

The other side of High St out to Carntyne and Tollcross is the ‘Inner East’ area, covered in the latest SDF (as in Digest 90, Item 1.4). The ‘Connected’ section mentions quite a few cycling infrastructure projects but the focus is still on public transport and roads, including the so-called East End Regeneration Route (EERR) dual carriageway.

See the Inner East consultation page for link to the SDF survey – ends 3 September 2021.

1.13: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion

This has been featured since Digest 86, Item 1.2, including its ‘Ideas Map‘ for the area. It’s an opportunity to focus on active travel (walking, cycling and wheeling). EDC were pioneers when they built phase 1 of the Bearsway cycletrack in Milngavie. However, since phase 2 was scrapped, they’ve fallen behind other local authorities; not even bidding for Spaces for People funding.

Further online discussion events are due later in August. See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. Closing date – 28 Sep 2021.

1.14: Glasgow Urban Sports – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park

Charlotte Worthington’s gold medal at Tokyo 2020 in the BMX Freestyle Park event seems like a good reminder about Glasgow Urban Sports‘ skate park project. GUS want to bring land under the M74 extension into productive use as a park for ‘urban sports’ – BMX, skateboarding, inline skating, parkour, etc. Their site is between the back of West St Subway station and Eglinton St. The sculptures would enhance the area even when they didn’t have skaters jumping off them!

See GUS’s survey to try and find out what skaters, or their families, want from the park. Or see the GUS Facebook or GUS Twitter accounts.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: North Lanarkshire Council – Planning Application (20/00345/FUL) Access to Motherwell train station

The planning application for this City Deal project first came up back in Digest 61, Item 1.1. It was to create a new access to the station from the roundabout at the junction of Hamilton Rd (A723), West Hamilton Rd (A721) and Merry St. Running along derelict land behind the row of shops on Muir St, it would join the current road at the station. It would include a bus lane, taxi rank, disabled parking and short cycleway.

However, the cycleway seems to have been dropped from the latest drawings (29 Jun 2021) –see planning application 20/00345/FUL. It would’ve been pretty short and isolated but would at least have helped cycle to the station from the south. Another example of NLC’s inconsistent approach – a few steps forward (like the RATL path) then a few steps back (like the RAI dual carriageway).

North Lanarkshire Council have now granted planning permission for this access road to go ahead. Redevelopment has already taken place at nearby Park & Ride car parks. Work is now underway on the station building (using the service road to get passengers down to the middle platforms while stairs are replaced). The Muir St works are expected to start late 2021 and finish summer 2022.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. North Lanarkshire, City Deal, Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange Planning Application, closes 08 June
2. University of Stirling, EU-funded survey on Gender and Transport – please help, no closing date given
3. Scottish Government – Just Transmission Commission, closes 30 June
4. Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights, open-ended but nominally closes on 01 January 2021
5. Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy, no closing date

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Still no news for you here.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. North Lanarkshire, City Deal, East Airdrie Link Road, Consultant’s response to GoBike submission
2. UK Government, Results of Law Commissions’ Second Consultation on HARPS

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 North Lanarkshire, City Deal, Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange Planning Application, closes 08 June

We received this email update from North Lanarkshire Council on 20 May:

“Plans for the Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange project are progressing, with a planning application now submitted.

The application, for change of use of vacant land at Muir Street, sets out how we propose to create a new railway station access road and taxi rank as well as improvements to bus facilities and pedestrian crossings.

You can find more information about the project and view the planning application at our project web page. The planning application reference number is 20/00345/FUL.

We are delivering this project as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

The Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange will complement redevelopment work planned by Abellio Scotrail at Motherwell Rail Station. This includes creating an enhanced station building with a brighter, larger concourse and improved ticket sales and passenger facilities.“

In Digest 25, issued in January 2019, Item 3.7, we included this link to details of a consultation, which we had missed, to proposed improvements around the railway station, quoting “Improvement to walking and cycling routes”

Here’s a link to a ScotRail article about the proposals; it’s dated 2018 so we aren’t sure what has happened since. The article mentions improved cycle access and while the plans submitted with the Planning Application show a 3m cycle lane to the station, there is no other detail.

GoBike has submitted the following comment of tentative support to the plans but if you support the Planning Application or have concerns, do please follow the links in the North Lanarkshire message to the project web page and use the reference 20/00345/FUL to insert your comment.

“GoBike, the Strathclyde Cycle Campaign, supports the use of the cycle as an everyday means of transport for people of all ages, and, to realise this aim, we need to see good quality dedicated cycle infrastructure, not simply painted lines on our roads, with adequate parking arrangements at destinations such as railway stations.
We are pleased to support this planning application because it is a step, albeit a very cautious one, in the right direction. We note that currently, or at the time of your public consultation 2 years ago, very few people were cycling to the station. We do not see very much in your proposals to entice more people to use their bikes; we are concerned that although you show a dedicated cycle path to the station on your layout plan, it is directly adjacent to the taxi rank. What is to prevent taxis, their drivers or passengers encroaching on the cycle lane?
During the current pandemic far more people are cycling in Motherwell as they are all around Scotland and, once train services are able to return to more people travelling, although initially allowing for social distancing, we hope that you will be able to encourage far more people to travel to the station by cycle, from all parts of Motherwell and its environs.”

1.2 University of Stirling, EU-funded survey on Gender and Transport – please help, no closing date given

We received an email recently from a Dr Yvonne Hail and Prof Ron McQuaid from the University of Stirling, who are taking part in an European funded consortium exploring gender and transport (https://diamond-project.eu/) 

“The aim of the project is to evaluate different fairness criteria relating to people’s use of various transport modes, including bike share schemes in order to develop measures to increase the number of women who use the services and to compare and evaluate different fairness criteria. The fairness criteria will be based on an analysis of demographic data, socio-economic data and location to ensure fairness for all in access to bike sharing facilities.
Due to social distancing and the wider societal impacts of COVID19 we are looking for assistance in our data collection campaign and hope you can help us, by sharing our online questionnaire with your networks (users/non-users).“

Questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfecB23Wd4jzApEORNSKbatMZkqJSfgaL3U8sb1c3U3WCUbGg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Do help them please by completing the survey – it’s a bit clunky, but you should find it of interest – even if you have never used a hire bike.
There’s no closing date given but do please fill it out before you forget.

1.3 Scottish Government – Just Transmission Commission, closes 30 June

The details of this consultation were given in our last Digest, Digest 60, Item 1.1, but here’s the wording from the Government’s website:

The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets)(Scotland) Act 2019 recently passed by the Scottish Parliament contains some of the most ambitious statutory emission reduction targets in the world. The transition required to meet these targets will be one of a number of long-term structural changes to the economy that will require a response and active management from the Scottish Government.

Against this backdrop of increasingly ambitious emission reduction targets, calls for fairness in climate change action and securing a ‘just transition’ have grown. Originating from the trade union movement, the concept of just transition refers to the need for Governments to take action to reduce emissions in a way which is fair and leaves no-one behind.

The Just Transition Commission has been established to provide Scottish Ministers with practical, realistic, and affordable recommendations for action that will:

• maximise the economic and social opportunities that the move to a net-zero economy by 2045 offers
• build on Scotland’s existing strengths and assets
• understand and mitigate risks that could arise in relation to regional cohesion, equalities, poverty (including fuel poverty), and a sustainable and inclusive labour market

If you follow the link you will be able to respond to the call for evidence – since most of us have a bit more time at the moment do put your thoughts about maintaining road space for cycling, reducing emissions, etc in the boxes. Please do it for the sake of your health and the nation’s health.

1.4 Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights, nominally closes 01 January 2021

This open-ended inquiry was covered in Digest 60, Item 1.2 and according to the parliamentary website:

“There is no set deadline to submit your views. The call is open-ended to enable the Committee to monitor any ongoing or emerging equalities and human rights issues, so that steps can be taken to protect those most in need.“

We have all seen that our streets are emptier, the air is cleaner, more people are walking and cycling; these are the very things we need to see continue and unless we tell the Government we need them to continue, they will just go with the easy option and let cars return.
Here’s more information from the website:

“This inquiry seeks to identify the evidence that some groups of people are experiencing disproportionately negative impacts of the coronavirus, and by some of the measures taken to deal with it.

The inquiry will look at the measures the Scottish Government and other public bodies, including regulatory and oversight bodies, can take to help. It will also examine measures taken by public bodies and the impacts they may have on equality and human rights.

We want to hear your views on:

• which equality groups are being disproportionately negatively affected by the coronavirus, and by some of the measures taken to deal with it 
• what equality and human rights impacts there have been
• what the Scottish Government can change or improve to mitigate against these impacts“

This is your chance to say that people without cars are being given better air to breathe and those of us who choose to walk and cycle now have more space to do that. If things are allowed to revert to what they were before we will all be disadvantaged. Please do respond.

1.5 Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy, no closing date

This is the third high-level consultation that was first aired in Digest 60, Item 1.3 and here’s the link to the Parliament’s website. Again, no closing date is given but if you do run a business or have significant concerns, please do submit your views. The website request you to:
“Please send your response by email to: economyenergyandfairwork@parliament.scot“

GoBike is grateful to Transform Scotland for bringing these last three Scotland-wide consultations to our attention.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

No, we are not aware of anything at the moment.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 North Lanarkshire, City Deal, East Airdrie Link Road, Consultant’s response to GoBike submission

We last mentioned the consultation on this in Digest 59, Item 1.2 and we had submitted this letter of opposition to the new road on 14 April. On 15 May we received this email with a letter from the Consultants, Aecom, who are dealing with this scheme:

“Thank you for your recent public exhibition response on the above.

Please find attached a letter as above which ought to be self-explanatory.

We had planned to hold a number of specific workshops during Option Development for the East Airdrie Link Road, however, given the current COVID-19 situation this is now not possible.  We would however still like to commence some early engagement and would like to invite you to join a virtual workshop through Microsoft Teams with a focus on Active Travel.  Please could you let us know if you would be interested in joining us using this approach and we can send on further details in due course.

Any other queries, please let me know.

Regards

Ryan Hutchison, BSc CEng MICE FCIHT
Technical Director, Roads, Scotland & Ireland“

GoBike member, Derek, has volunteered to join the virtual workshop mentioned in the email so we hope to have more news for you as work progresses.

2.2 UK Government, Results of Law Commissions’ Second Consultation on HARPS

In Digest 52, Item 1.3 we last gave details of the most recent consultation on this topic and published the GoBike letter of response, dated 06 January. On 20 May we received this update:

“Dear All,

The Law Commissions’ automated vehicles team are pleased to share the results from our second consultation on passenger services and public transport.

People’s responses cover some of the new challenges and opportunities arising from HARPS (Highly Automated Road Passenger Services) like creating safety standards and remote supervision of this new service. Prominent themes include the need to balance national and local governance, the importance of access to data, and to support rather than undermine mass transit.

We are very grateful for all the input received. You can find all of our published documents, including a 160 page analysis (which includes quotes), a 23 page summary, and the full text of each response listed alphabetically (alongside our original consultation documents) on our website: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/automated-vehicles/ .

Our consultation closed at the start of February before the impacts of COVID-19 became so widely felt. We hope you and yours are safe and well, and to have the opportunity to reconnect with you as we progress to the next phase of our work. In our third paper (which we aim to launch in the fourth quarter this year) we will go back to the safety assurance framework for automated vehicles, legal responsibility as well as integrating input from this HARPS consultation.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

With all best wishes,

The AV Team

Automated Vehicles | Law Commission | Public Law Team
1st Floor, Tower, Post Point 1.54, 52 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AG
(access via 102 Petty France)
Tel: 020 3334 3969 | Web: www.lawcom.gov.uk
Email: automatedvehicles@lawcommission.gov.uk

GoBike gets a couple of mentions in this document, though it’s a bit beyond our normal comfort level for consultations.

They say they are working up to another consultation later this year, so it’s keeping them busy, at least.

Back in a fortnight – hopefully!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consuitations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Pollok Country Park – Project Update

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

3.2 WalkCycleVote/RNIB workshops

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

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

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

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

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

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (GARSCUBE ROAD) (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROL) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.
Yours sincerely
Steve Gray
Assistant Group Manager (Sustainable Transport)
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.6 Battlefield Proposals (Streets for All) update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A further reply was received on 29 July:

“Dear Ms Fort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is more information on the consultant’s website.

We aim to keep you informed of progress.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Tricia,

Thank you for your email.

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

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

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

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

Kind regards,
WPBC Team “

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

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

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

3.12 Yokecoco win funding for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village

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

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

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