Join GoBike (if you haven’t already)
Why? Joining gives you access to our Slack channels, where you can discuss and progress all sorts of things pertinent to GoBike’s actions and campaigns.
Joining, just by the addition of your membership, strengthens GoBike’s arm when campaigning and negotiating for better cycle infrastructure.
Is it affordable? For the majority of people it certainly is. A mere £5 per year, to support our campaigns for good cycle infrastructure.

Respond to consultations
GoBike publishes a fortnightly Digest of local consultations affecting people who live in the area around Glasgow and along the River Clyde. By writing in to the authority issuing the consultation you are adding to the influence of those of us who support active travel.
On a monthly basis we publish a Digest of Scottish and UK consultations that impinge on our rights as people who support active travel and public transport.
If you don’t respond then the motor lobby wins.

Campaign with us
We campaign for protected cycle lanes that extend for meaningful journeys and help us negotiate such daunting features as roundabouts. While things are slowly improving there is still a long way to go before anyone and everyone will feel comfortable about replacing the protection of a car with the joy and freedom of cycling.

Cycle with us to look at the infrastructure we have
Well, not just at the moment, given all the Covid 19 restrictions, but we do normally have a led ride on the first Sunday of the month that we can guarantee will take you somewhere new.
Hopefully, though, you have seen the blog we put out on 20 December? To allow you to see the current cycling infrastructure, including the Covid 19 pop-up lanes, our ride leader, Andy, proposed 3 rides to cover most of Glasgow.
Our intention was for as many as possible to ride these routes on Sunday 03 January, ie tomorrow. Weather permitting, this is still the aim, but if you do venture out on Sunday, or any other day, do please take every care to avoid the ice and do wrap up warm.

All three have been planned to start from the usual point, the pagoda type shelter at the north end of Bell’s Bridge but feel free to start and stop to suit yourself. The now annual infrastructure ride, led by Andy, would normally take place on the first Sunday in January, starting at 10am but obviously these rides may be downloaded and ridden at will. However, it would be good if, weather permitting, as many of us as possible form small groups and cycle one (or more) of these routes on 03 January.

The routes may be downloaded to your cycle computer or as a pdf, but do make sure you have a good idea of where you are going before you set off.

With each ride we note features or hazards that you should be aware of. However, if you cycle regularly around Glasgow, or indeed elsewhere, you will know that you have to keep your wits about you when out on your bike.

Northwestern: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/194902 – 20 miles
featuring: Kelvin Way, Colleges Route, Lincoln Avenue, Great Western Road (both ways), Claypits Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Garscube Road, Sauchiehall Street, George Square, Candleriggs, Clyde Street/Broomielaw/Lancefield Quay

Be aware of:
Potentially busy road around Congress Way gyratory (note that GoBike objected vociferously when this road layout, with no consideration of cycling, was introduced) potentially busy roads Argyle Street, Highburgh Road, Crow Road, lack of cycle protection on Great Western Road around Duntreath Avenue flyover junction, busy road Great Western Road beyond end of protected cycle lane, busy roads Fulton Street, Panmure Street, Possil Road into incomplete cycle track Garscube Road, busy junction with left turners Clyde Street at Glasgow Bridge.

Note that:
The canal path at Stockingfield Junction will be open until 04 January, but from an infrastructure point of view the diversion route is more interesting, so Andy has left it in.

Northeastern: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/194907 – 22 miles
featuring: Anderston Bridge, Sauchiehall Street, Garscube Road, Claypits LNR, Bilsland Drive/Hawthorn Street, Wallacewell Road, Robroyston Station, Cumbernauld Road/Provanmill Road, Langdale Street, Dennistoun Low(ish)Traffic Neighbourhood, Clyde Gateway, London Road (both ways), Clyde Street/Broomielaw/Lancefield Quay

Be aware of:
Potentially busy road around Congress Way gyratory (note that GoBike objected vociferously when this road layout, with no consideration of cycling, was introduced), join Skypark path at layby on expressway sliproad, steep hill upwards West Campbell Street, steep hill downwards (including Give Way junctions) Scott Street, incomplete cycle track and busy roads Garscube Road into Possil Road, right turn off busy road after bend Panmure Street, uphill busy road Hawthorn Street around expressway junction, leave Atlas Road at pedestrian crossing dropped kerb at Hawthorn Street junction for path up to Campsie Street, busy road Stanburn Road, busy junction with left turners Clyde Street at Glasgow Bridge

Southern: https://cycle.travel/map/journey/194909 – 14 miles
featuring: Govan-Cardonald Quietway, QEUH-Bellahouston Quietway, Dumbreck Road, Bengal Street, White Cart Route, Battlefield, South City Way, George Square, Gordon Street, Anderston Bridge, Lancefield Quay

Be aware of:
Awkward crossing across Shieldhall Road at Cowden Street, use the shared footway and pop-up cycle lane on right-hand side of Dumbreck Road, busy road Grange Road into Langside Road and Queens Drive

These three rides, between them, cover most of the Glasgow Covid 19 pop-ups, but exclude the Argyle Street at Central Station contraflow section since it didn’t fit neatly into any of the three. Each contains a bit of the city centre, although some is duplicated over different rides, but this gives options for starting and finishing the rides, or combining them.

Enjoy!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. *NEW* Glasgow City Council, “Yorkhill Quay masterplan to fulfil River Clyde blue corridor vision”
2. Glasgow City Council – new City Development Plan, closes 11 December
3. East Dunbartonshire Council – Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), closes 15 January 2021
4. OnBikes and St Paul’s Youth Forum – short survey for Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme
5. *NEW* Glasgow City Council – Protected Junction Trial consultation

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Traffic Regulation Orders to make Covid 19 pop-ups permanent

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No 27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, GCC response to our submission
2. Glasgow City Council (Ruchazie Road) Traffic Calming Scheme (OFFICIAL) and a query as to the effectiveness of these measures, survey information from GCC
3. East Renfrewshire Council, update on Proposed Local Development Plan 2
4. Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park planning application approved

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

1.1: *NEW* Glasgow City Council, “Yorkhill Quay masterplan to fulfil River Clyde blue corridor vision”

GoBike member Brenda tells us there’s an online consultation for a pre-planning application for the strip of land along the river between Riverside museum and the new distillery.  Includes the offer of ‘live chat’ on Thurs 12 Nov between 10am and 1pm.  Looks like a row of massively tall blocks of flats surrounded by parking, with a relatively narrow, completely exposed strip along the riverside providing the advertised ‘complete permeability’. (I may be biased).
We think this is a requirement for major developments, and gets reported in the Design and Access Statement that forms part of the eventual planning application.  Perhaps they even need to show that they’ve addressed concerns raised by respondents…
There’s a summary of the possible proposal and a consultation.
Available for viewing till 30 November.

Doesn’t look like Glasgow at all, does it?

1.2: Glasgow City Council – new City Development Plan
(Closes 11 December)

First covered in Digest issue 72, Item 1.7. GCC’s email said “We are working with our partners, The Future Fox to host an online engagement called Placebuilder. It is designed to help us understand the experiences and ideas of Glasgow’s different neighbourhood communities on what they think works, what could be better and what they would like to see change.“ Plenty of scope there – link to Placebuilder online engagement.

1.3: East Dunbartonshire Council –
Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2)
(Closes 15 January 2021)

East Dunbartonshire were the only mainland council that didn’t bid for any funding from the Spaces for People programme by Sustrans. If you’d like to encourage EDC to improve on that record (and maybe finish the Bearsway or something) then you have a chance to mention it in this consultation. As covered in Digest issue 72, Item 1.8. See the Council website: www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP2. Apparently “your representation should be submitted by e-mail to” development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. 

1.4: OnBikes and St Paul’s Youth Forum – short survey for Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme

This multiple choice survey (as covered in Digest issue 72, Item 1.1) was originally looking for quick feedback but remains open. OnBikes and SPYF (St Paul’s Youth Forum) are working on a Places for Everyone project to improve active travel infrastructure in parts of North East Glasgow like Smithycroft, Riddrie and Blackhill.

1.5: **NEW** Glasgow City Council – Protected Junction Trial consultation

Posters of a new junction on Victoria Road have been appearing on bus shelters around Glasgow (as seen by GoBike member Steph). The City Council’s website says:
“As part of the South City Way, we will be trialling protected junctions on Victoria Road at the Calder Street and Allison Street junctions. Protected junctions are widely and successfully used across Europe, however they are relatively new in the UK and these will be the first in the UK outside of London!
A ‘protected junction’ is a road junction designed so that people travelling on foot, by cycle, and in vehicles are all separated as they pass through the junction. The aim is to make the junctions safer for all road users, and particularly for those on cycles. Unlike other junctions, which normally require right-turning cyclists to wait in the centre of the junction for a suitable gap in the traffic, the protected junction offers a safer alternative. Protected cycle tracks – like those on the South City Way – make it easier for people to make everyday journeys by cycle instead of by car. ”

That last sentence may seem obvious but there will be plenty of people in the city who struggle to get their heads around it. The stately progress of the South City Way may be a source of frustration for many. However, it is innovative (for Scotland) and we do need to see more along similar lines. So, if you want to show support for the new junctions, or just find out more, see GCC’s Protected Junctions webpage for further images, a video, a PDF document and a contact link. The junction trial will last two years but there’s no deadline mentioned for feedback.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1: Traffic Regulation Orders to make Covid 19 pop-ups permanent

Michael Matheson spoke at the Cycling Scotland online conference on 05 November. He was very hopeful that local authorities would choose, and be able, to make many of the measures permanent. TROs, which will come through the normal consultation channels, will be required.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No 27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, GCC response to our submission

In Digest 71, Item 1.5, we published this consultation and mentioned our concern that there was no mention of the proposed introduction of two-way cycling on Candleriggs. Here’s the letter we submitted on 26 October and on 29 October we received this response:

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

With regards to contraflow cycling on Candleriggs, I can advise that this aspect of the TRO has been withdrawn since the first consultation.  This is as a result of an existing goods vehicle loading facility located on the west side of Candleriggs, approximately 15 metres south of Bell Street which will remain in place.  It has been noted that the publicised drawing incorrectly shows existing double kerb markings at this location instead of single kerb markings and the removal of this proposal should have been included in the consultation email that stakeholders received.  This was omitted in error after the implementation of this TRO was passed from our Project Services department to our Parking Services department.

In view of the above loading facility remaining in place, a decision was taken to remove contraflow cycling at this location in order to prevent the possibility of northbound cyclists having to cycle into the centre of the carriageway if a goods vehicle was situated at the above loading facility, with limited visibility of oncoming traffic and potentially come into conflict with an oncoming southbound vehicle.

I appreciate that you may feel frustrated at this decision, however, it has been taken with road safety in mind, particularly for cyclists.  However, I would advise that the Council remain committed to introducing contraflow cycling where it is deemed safe and will keep this area under consideration for future proposed TRO’s.

I trust this is of assistance at this time.

Yours sincerely

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

This is sad news and yet another blow for the permeability that cycles offer for getting around in Glasgow.

3.2: Glasgow City Council, (Ruchazie Road) Traffic Calming Scheme (OFFICIAL) and a query as to the effectiveness of these measures, survey information from GCC

In our last Digest, issue 72, Item 3.4, we published Glasgow City Council’s confirmation that speed cushions will be installed on Ruchazie Road and in reply we asked the question as to before and after speed checks to confirm the effectiveness of speed cushions. Here’s the response we received on 02 November:

“Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

I can advise that due to the circumstances caused by Covid-19, we are still awaiting the results of the “after” surveys for the traffic calming schemes that were installed towards the end of the last financial year and this financial year.

I can however provide results for other locations at which we have installed speed cushions over the past 18 months. A survey was carried out prior to the implementation of traffic calming on Sunnybank Street, between 23/04/2019 and 29/04/2019, during which time the average speed of vehicles was found to be 22mph and the 85^th percentile speed was 28mph. Although this may not seem excessive, it should be noted that there is a newly built primary school on this street and a bus gate adjacent to the school was to be removed as part of the works associated with the formation of school. After the traffic calming had been implemented, a survey was carried out between 25/11/2019 and 30/11/2019 and found the average speed had dropped to 17mph and the 85^th percentile speed had significantly dropped to 21mph.

A survey was also carried out prior to the implementation of traffic calming on Kingsland Drive, between 11/02/2019 and 17/02/2019, during which time the average speed of vehicles was found to be 28mph and the 85^th percentile speed was 33mph. After the traffic calming had been implemented, a survey was carried out between 19/02/2020 and 25/02/2020, during which the average speed had dropped to 21mph and the 85^th percentile speed had significantly dropped to 25mph.

I can advise that, should you wish, once we receive the results of the most recent surveys and have comparable “before” and “after” data available for the latest schemes, I will forward these to you.

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

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods And Sustainability“

GoBike has confirmed that we wish to see the results of any further before and after tests. The results look good but we have asked for details of how they are carried out.

3.3: East Renfrewshire Council, update on Proposed Local Development Plan 2

GoBike responded to the Local Development Plan 2 as reported in Digest 49, Item 1.3 and received an initial response that was included in Digest 50, Item 3.9
East Renfrewshire Council have now informed us our “representation has not been resolved” about LDP2 and so Scottish Government reporters have been appointed to examine it:

“DPEA PLAN REF NO: LDP-220-3

The above proposed plan was submitted to Scottish Ministers on 18 August 2020 for examination.  The local development plan is a document that sets out which types of development should take place where, and which areas should be protected from development.  It also contains policies that inform the planning authority’s decisions on planning applications.

You had previously made a representation regarding this plan when it was consulted upon from 21 October until 13 December 2019 and Scottish Ministers have been made aware that your representation has not been resolved. 

The Scottish Ministers have appointed Mr Alasdair Edwards MA(Hons) and Mr Malcolm Mahony BA(Hons) MRTPI as the reporters who will carry out the examination of the above proposed plan.  The administration of the examination will be carried out by the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA).

We have provided the reporters with a summary of the issues that we consider should be assessed at the examination, and a copy of your full representation.  Your representation will be considered by the reporters. 

Please note that additional reporters may be appointed to support the speedy delivery of the report.

The reporters will now commence the examination of conformity with our participation statement as required by Section 19(4) of the Town and Country Planning Scotland Act 1997 (as amended).  To comply with Section 19(7) of the Act, the examination of the above proposed plan under Section 19(3) of the Act will not commence until the examination of conformity with the participation statement has concluded, or until four weeks from the date of the appointment of the reporters, whichever is the latter.  Therefore the earliest date upon which the examination of issues raised in representations will commence is 19 November 2020. 

A notice regarding this examination has been published in the Evening Times and Barrhead News.

A copy of the proposed plan will be available for public viewing on our website: http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/ldp2

You do not need to take any action in response to this letter.  The reporters are not expected to require further information from you, but if they do DPEA will write to you specifying what is needed and how and when you should submit it.

Information about the examination including a summary of the issues being addressed by the reporters (known as Schedule 4 Forms), Further Information Requests and Responses, Document Lists, any Hearing and Inquiry Statements, and in due course, the Recommendations by Issue Table and the Examination Report can be found at the DPEA’s website using the link below:
http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=121161;

Further guidance on the examination process is available from the Scottish Government’s website using the weblink below:
https://beta.gov.scot/policies/planning-architecture/development-plans/

A guidance note that explains development plan examinations for people who have submitted representations is available at the weblink below:
https://beta.gov.scot/publications/development-plan-representations-guidance/

If you require further information about the progress of the examination please contact Jayne Anderson , Planning and Environmental Appeals, 4 The Courtyard, Callendar Business Park , Falkirk , FK1 1XR, or telephone 0131 244 6934, or email Jayne.Anderson@gov.scot

Please note that DPEA will be moving office with effect from Monday 16 November. 

The new address will be Planning and Environmental Appeals Division, Scottish Government, Ground Floor, Hadrian House, Callendar Business Park, Callendar Road, Falkirk FK1 1XR

All telephone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same.

DPEA collect information if you take part in the planning process, use DPEA websites, send correspondence to DPEA or attend a webcast.  To find out more about what information is collected, how the information is used and managed please read the DPEA’s privacy notice – https://beta.gov.scot/publications/planning-and-environmental-appeals-division-privacy-notice/

Yours faithfully

Gillian McCarney
Head of Environment (Chief Planning Officer)”

We’ll update you on any further news.

3.4 Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park planning application approved

You might have seen in the press that the planning application, 20/01352/FUL, to build a new access road into the Park has now been approved. See details on the City Council’s Planning website.
In confirmation we received this email from the City Council yesterday, 09 November :

“We are writing to let you know that the Planning Application for an Active Travel Management Plan in Pollok Country Park was approved on the 6^th November 2020. The full application is available to view here (Reference Number 20/01352/FUL): https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QAZZ49EXIKO00&activeTab=summary

The status of the application will be updated shortly.
Kind Regards,
Glasgow City Council/Glasgow Life“

This Glasgow Times article reports on the forthcoming Council meeting that confirmed the decision. GoBike and one of our members are both quoted. It’s bad news: trees being removed to make way for cars in a park, of all places. Yes, we know it’s to a world-renowned museum; we just hope the private, non-blue-badge, cars are controlled and kept to the new car park at the edge of the park.

__________________________________________________

This Digest is a joint effort by the old and a new compiler. If you would like to join our consultations team just drop an email to consultations@gobike.org giving some details of your interests and/or skills in the topic.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** We ask what you think of the GoBike Digests, closes 18 August
2. **NEW** Share the Road – Support the Increases in Space for Safer Walking and Cycling, no closing date, but please don’t delay if you wish to sign the petition
3. **NEW** Glasgow. Mount Florida Community Council, Letherby Triangle project in Mount Florida, no closing date given
4. **NEW** Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, closes 21 August
5. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Gartocher Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
6. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Prospecthill Circus (Toryglen) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
7. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Ladyloan Avenue – Extension (Drumry) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
8. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Warriston Street (Carntyne) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
9. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Greenfield Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 27 August
10. **NEW** UK Department for Transport, Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. East Renfrewshire, Cycling UK Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event, 13th August 

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park, Introduction of Active Travel Management Plan including formation of parking, infrastructure and landscaping, acknowledgement of GoBike submission by Development & Regeneration Services
2. North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road, response to GoBike submission
3. North Lanarkshire Council, Active Travel Stakeholder Group online workshop 30 July

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

1.1 **NEW** We ask what you think of the GoBike Digests, closes 18 August

Yes, as mentioned in Digest 65, Item 2.1, we are being introspective and asking our members their views on these fortnightly Digests.
~ If you are already a current GoBike member and on Slack then the survey is there waiting for you in the Consultations channel
~ If you are already a current GoBike member but not on Slack, or don’t wish to be, then email consultations@gobike.org and the link to the survey will be sent out to you
~ Not yet a GoBike member but you wish to comment on the Digests? It’s easy and very cheap to join and by joining you are helping the campaign for improved cycle facilities.

1.2 **NEW** Share the Road – Support the Increases in Space for Safer Walking and Cycling, no closing date, but please don’t delay if you wish to sign the petition

GoBike member, Iona, sent this link: https://www.bikeisbest.com/petition and we hope you will all sign!

Here’s the info from the website:

“SHARE THE ROAD – SUPPORT THE INCREASES IN SPACE FOR SAFER WALKING AND CYCLING

During the Covid-19 crisis, across the UK there has been a rapid roll out of measures to make walking and cycling feel safer, as public transport capacity was reduced and all but essential journeys were curtailed. Space for walking and cycling has been taken directly from motor vehicles, rebalancing our roads to benefit people, not traffic.

This approach is proving hugely popular – a recent YouGov survey by #BikeIsBest showed that 77% of Brits are in support of road space reallocation to enable safer cycling and walking. We want to cycle more – during lockdown, some areas of England have seen cycling increase by 200%.

Governments have issued funding and guidance for local authorities across the UK. Despite this, some local authorities are ripping out temporary measures after just a few days because of a few emails and petitions from motoring pressure groups and grumpy residents. The silent majority who would like nicer and healthier places to safely cycle are not being heard.

Our research shows that there are 6.5 people in favour of measures to enable cycling and walking for every 1 person against. But these voices aren’t being heard.

Only 6% of us want to return to pre-pandemic times, says another YouGov poll. There is a rare opportunity to change our streets for the better; for health, for air quality, for the economy and for the community. To not just go back to traffic-dominated communities swathed in smog. But this opportunity for change is in jeopardy and urgent action is required. We need to show local political leaders there is widespread support for these measures.

By signing, you’re saying: “I support infrastructure that will help everyone cycle and walk more.”

Show your local politicians you support projects that will help everyone cycle and walk more. Please sign and share this petition today to make your voice heard.

This petition is open to all UK residents. This petition is being run by the #BikeIsBest campaign on behalf of 50 cycling organisations. We will use the accumulative totals of the petition to present the support to local and national government and other key stakeholders. Your email address will not be shared with third parties or these organisations directly. You can choose to receive campaign email updates but this is optional as an opt in.”

We can all hear people saying “Oh, the bike boom won’t last, wait until the rain, the dark mornings etc”. The bike boom will last if we can get good infrastructure, so please sign and let’s keep what we’ve got and campaign for more through GoBike.

1.3 **NEW** Glasgow. Mount Florida Community Council, Letherby Triangle project in Mount Florida, no closing date given

GoBike member, Calum, alerted us to this survey:

Here’s the wording from the website:

“Mount Florida Community Council has been consulting with the local community for a
number of years on how to improve the Letherby Triangle – the area at the junction of
Cathcart Road and Carmunnock Road beside Mount Florida Primary School. Last year we
received funding from Sustrans to allow us to develop it to the stage where we can submit a planning application. The proposal aims to:

• Create an attractive civic space for the local community to meet and hold events
• Enhance the image of Mount Florida as a vibrant and welcoming community
• Reduce traffic speeds in the area
• Make it easier to walk, cycle and scoot

Now we need your input on how the final design might look. Please complete the
survey“.

The survey is being run by Mount Florida Community Council – please do respond if you live in the area and/or know the area well.

1.4 **NEW** Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, closes 21 August

We were alerted to this consultation by GoBike member Tia:

Call for Evidence: revitalising Scotland’s town centres in the wake of COVID-19
The Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group is looking for views & ideas to develop thinking about Scotland’s vision for town centres.

The majority of us live in towns and cities, so this will be of interest to most of us. Please do look at the website and put in your views as to how you wish your urban areas to be, either with the changes we have already made or how they should be developed.

Here are the questions we are asked to consider:

1. What are the challenges and opportunities facing town centres in Scotland and how should these be addressed?
2. What are the barriers to developing town centres suitable for their communities and how can these be removed?
3. To what extent has the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) delivered against its stated ambitions? In what areas has delivery been successful? In what areas is there room for progress and/or barriers to overcome?
4. To what extent are the stated objectives and policy challenges TCAP seeks to address relevant for the new challenges for our towns?
5. If TCAP were to be revised, what additional or replacement areas and objectives would you recommend should be included and how should these be addressed?
6. Can you provide details and contacts of any examples of excellent practice in town centres which you believe have wider potential?
7. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This list makes it relatively simple to organise your thoughts! GoBike will be developing a response that we aim to publish in our next Digest.

Items 1.5 – 1.9, Traffic Calming in Glasgow

The following 5 items are all similar. They are all roads in the outskirts of the city where drivers are exceeding the speed limit and where the local community have requested, via their Community Council and/or City Councillors, that something be done. GoBike understands that only 1 solution is offered by the City Council and that is speed cushions.

GoBike fully understands the concern about fast and dangerous driving but we consider that there are several options available to reduce speed and even remove through traffic and that each location should be considered for a bespoke solution.

The emails that accompanied the consultation documentation are in a standard format; we only publish it in full for the first of the 5.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Gartocher Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

Here’s the email on this one, the first of 4 received on 29 July:

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

Dear Sir / Madam,

The Glasgow City Council, (Gartocher Road), Traffic Calming Scheme

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

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

Background to the proposed Scheme
The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Road affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Gartocher Road

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

• 2 sets of 3×1.8m wide cushions
• 1 set of 3x2m wide cushions
• 3 sets of 2x2m wide cushions

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days.   

 Please reply directly to LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, please also e-mail LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk

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

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The plans referred to in the email are: Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3.

From these plans it may be seen that the gap at the gutter between the cushion and the kerb ranges from 0.5m up to 1.0m with the majority being 0.6m. Thus anyone trying to avoid the cushion has to cycle either out in the middle of the road or in the narrow gap at the edge along with all the grit etc.

As you can see from the map and the photograph the overall roadway narrows to go under the bridge carrying the railway line from Glasgow Queen Street Low Level out to Airdrie and via Bathgate to Edinburgh. But look, the road itself, on which the high motor speeds are occurring, maintains its width, while one footway disappears and there is no cycleway at all.

An alternative proposal is to use one road lane as a footway plus cycleway for the narrowed length under the bridge. The other lane would be controlled by traffic lights for a one-way motor traffic system. Such a solution would slow the motor traffic down and would deter drivers from using Gartocher Road as a rat run.
A further, easier-to-do alternative is to simply close the road to through traffic but only allow pedestrians, bikes and emergency vehicles through the railway bridge.

It’s time we moved away from the standard one size fits all solution of speed cushions.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Prospecthill Circus (Toryglen) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

This area has only just been redeveloped with a mix of houses and flats, so why is the road such that motor cars are allowed to drive too fast?

Here are the relevant sections of the email from the City Council:

“Road affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by this proposal is:-

• Prospecthill Circus

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

• 1 set of 3×1.7m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 2x2m wide cushions
• 3 sets of 3×1.8m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 3×1.9m wide cushions“

Here’s the plan that is referred to: TC proposals

Sadly, there appears to be a discrepancy between the email and the drawing. The email lists 8 sets of cushions and the drawing shows 12.

A further point of concern is the positioning of the cushions. For 10 of the 12 sets the gap between cushion and kerb is only 0.5m with 1 at 0.65 and 1 at 1.0m. GoBike has been told that the recommended gap is 1.2m, so it looks as if the City Council have found a new guidance document?

We first mentioned the involvement of Urban Roots in Digest 31, Item 6 and there are further mentions in subsequent Digests of the local consultation they carried out for this area, right on the edge of Glasgow, bordering on South Lanarkshire.
Urban Roots were hoping to have their proposal for a cycle lane to be constructed right round the circus included in the development of the area.

All the houses have a run-in for a car, so why are all these developments designed for car use and not for active travel and the use of public transport? This really is a damning indictment of the current planning systems that have led to many such schemes in Glasgow and around Scotland, where the car is seen as king. In Crossbank Crescent, in the same development, a much better way of slowing traffic has been found, see below:

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Ladyloan Avenue – Extension (Drumry) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

This proposal is an extension to a scheme that we first featured in Digest 37, Item 1.3 in June last year. which was for the eastern section of Ladyloan Avenue; this proposal is for the western end. Last year GoBike submitted an objection suggesting that active travel in this less affluent area of the city should be encouraged by the construction of cycle lanes. We also asked why there was no proposal for car-free areas round the schools in this area. However, the installation of speed cushions won, and now there is a proposal for even more. Here’s the pertinent section of the City Council’s email of 29 July:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by this proposal is:-

• Ladyloan Avenue

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

• 2 sets of 2×1.8m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 2×1.9m wide cushions“

Here is the plan referred to: Ladyloan Avenue full proposals

Unfortunately, there again appear to be errors on the plan. There is a total of 5 sets of cushions, not 4, and the cushion to kerb spacing varies on the drawing from 1.0m down to 0.6m (there is a dimension of 0.55m shown but a check on the arithmetic shows this should be a more generous 0.65m!) Still not sufficient to keep bikes out of the detritus at the edge of the road, though.

Plenty of room for cycle lanes on this view!

1.8 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Warriston Street (Carntyne) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

Here’s a nice, long street, just right for getting up a bit of speed in the motor, irrespective of any of the residents trying to cross the road, or cycle along! Obviously something has to be done, but why speed cushions?

Here’s the relevant section of the City Council email:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Warriston Street

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

• 15 sets of 3×1.9m wide speed cushions
• The supply and installation of 30 bollards.“

Here are the 5 plans that were attached:
Section-1-btwn-Cumbernauld-Rd-and-number-68
Section-2-btwn-number-102-and-number-156
Section-3-btwn-number-186-and-number-250
Section-4-btwn-Gartcraig-Road-and-number-324
Section-5-btwn-number-342-and-Ruchazie-Road

The gaps at the side are mostly 1.0m, with 5 sets at 0.9 and 1 at 0.8, but they should be better.

One look at the map shows that, with the judicious use of filters and bus gates, if required, this whole area could be made impermeable to through motor traffic, while still maintaining access for cycles, buses, emergency vehicles and refuse lorries. Instead the City Council propose a dodgems run.

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Greenfield Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 27 August

This, the fifth, arrived a day later, on 30 July and here’s the critical section of the City Council email:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Greenfield Road

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

• 6 sets of 3×1.8m wide speed cushions
• 1 set of 3×1.9m wide speed cushions
• 1 set 2x2m wide speed cushions
• The installation of 16 bollards

And here are the plans that were attached to the email:
Section-1-btwn-number-1-and-11
Section-2-Btwn-number-19-and-41
Section-3-btwn-number-43-and-61
Section-4-btwn-number-63-and-Tynecastle-Street

The gaps between the gutter and the nearest cushion are generally 0.5m, with one set being 0.6 and another being an astonishing 1.2m, ie the standard we were told the City Council worked to!

Greenfield Road runs parallel to Springboig Road, so could readily be closed to through motor traffic, making the area pleasanter for the local residents, thus dispensing with the need for speed cushions.

Items 1.5 – 1.9, Traffic Calming in Glasgow

The 5 roads covered above are similar in that they are relatively straight, which can lead drivers to exceed the speed limit, but there are solutions other than speed cushions. Also, of course, drivers who do endanger life by excessive speed should be penalised. GoBike will be developing responses over the next 2 weeks and should be able to publish them in the next Digest.

1.10 **NEW** UK Department for Transport, Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

The Highway Code, which applies to all road users across the UK, is about to be updated for the first time since 2007.

The UK Government website tells us there is:

“Consultation seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly the groups of:

• cyclists
• pedestrians
• horse riders

The main alterations to the code being proposed are:

• introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others
• clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road,
• providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead
• establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders“

Here’s the link to the Government website. GoBike is now starting its review and we hope to have this ready in good time for you to use as the basis of your submission. We are aware that other active travel organisations, such as Cycling UK and Living Streets, are developing their responses, so we will be using all the information open to us to make sure we don’t miss any crucial aspects of this consultation.

The disconcerting aspect of this is not just that there is no legal, only a moral, obligation on any of us to read the Highway Code, but that motor drivers do not require any update after passing their driving test. Most of us who do a driving test will do it in their late teens or twenties, with no further test ever being required.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consulations

2.1 East Renfrewshire, Cycling UK Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event, 13th August 

GoBike member, Iona, brought this to our notice and here’s the detail:

Cycling UK would like to invite you to our Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event. 
The event will run from 4pm – 6pm on Thursday 13th August on Microsoft Teams

The Covid Crisis brought increased levels of Cycling, Walking and Wheeling with unprecedented numbers of people getting out of their cars and on to the streets, paths and parks for both travel and exercise. As we emerge from lockdown we now have the opportunity to capitalise on this momentum and make more active travel and leisure part of the new normal.  Many more people now want to cycle for leisure, health and everyday travel. We have the opportunity to shape practical measures which will help us to sustain this more active culture.
The global pandemic has shown us that where there is a political will and a sense of urgency things can change quickly. Pop up infrastructure and Spaces for People are just the start of what can be done to get more people cycling, walking and wheeling more often in East Renfrewshire.

This event is for anyone with an interest in walking and cycling in East Renfrewshire We hope to bring together representatives from Cycling UK, East Renfrewshire Council, local grassroots cycling and walking groups, community cycling organisations, Cycling UK affiliated and Member groups and local residents. Our aim is to discuss cycling and walking provision in the area and look towards improving infrastructure and opportunities. 
There are also opportunities for organisations to present at the event so if you would like the chance to showcase your work in the area just let me know.
Please feel free to share with your friends and networks, as well as any walking and/or paths groups who might be interested in shared initiatives. 
I look forward to seeing you there!
If you are unable to make it to the event but would like to take part in future events and discussions then please feel free to drop me a line
Many thanks and best regards
Eileen“

Eileen may be contacted by email at: bigbikerevivalscotland@cyclinguk.org

Here’s the link to join the meeting.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park, Introduction of Active Travel Management Plan including formation of parking, infrastructure and landscaping, acknowledgement of GoBike submission by Development & Regeneration Services

In Digest 64, Item 3.1, we published our response to the planning application for changes to the traffic system in Pollok Park. On 24 July we received this letter of acknowledgement. We’ll keep you updated with any further news.

3.2 North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road, response to GoBike submission

In Digest 59, Item 1.2 we published this letter of opposition to the building of a new road to the east of the town of Airdrie. On 27 July we received this long email explaining why the Council find it necessary to proceed with the road.

“City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road (Ref TF/D57
Attn: Tricia Fort

Thank you for your letter of 14 April 2020 in response to the public consultation exercise on the proposed East Airdrie Link Road.

We note your opposition to the scheme, primarily on the basis that there requires to be a change of emphasis away from provision of new road capacity and more towards public transport and active travel.  You also note that recent government policies aim to reduce pollution, reduce the use of the private motor vehicle, improve public health and effect a modal transfer.

These aims are acknowledged in the recently published National Transport Strategy which, although at the bottom of the investment hierarchy, still supports road building, particularly in support of inclusive economic growth.

Please be assured that the Council is supportive of these shifts in policy and these are recognised in the aims and objectives of the East Airdrie Link Road project.

As stated in the over-arching project objective, the project seeks to contributing to a co-ordinated and strategic approach to upgrade transport infrastructure and promote economic regeneration through the Pan-Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor project. 

Firstly, the objective explicitly acknowledges the aim to support economic regeneration in the area and, specifically, any proposals are assessed against how well they “support development opportunities for existing businesses and assist in unlocking stalled development sites”.  This aligns with the overall aim of the Glasgow City Deal to support economic growth and job creation; in fact, the achievement of this objective is critical in securing City Deal funding.

The project is also envisioned as a key plank in supporting the Council’s wider aim of encouraging modal shift through the greater use of public transport and active travel.  Again, these aims are explicitly acknowledged in options appraisal through assessment against the following project objectives:

Public Transport – Facilitate improvements to public transport infrastructure and reliability,
encouraging modal shift

Active Travel – Provide active travel infrastructure linking to existing networks, encouraging modal shift

The expansion of public transport and active travel provision in and along the existing A73 is limited by the prevailing physical constraints and traffic congestion and it is anticipated that the relief provided by the new link road will allow increased road space to be assigned to buses and active travel.  Providing travel choices is key to encouraging modal shift and efficient, fast public transport services are central to encouraging people to not use private cars. 

Another of the objectives is to improve air quality pollution within the Chapelhall AQMA and the project will achieve this for residents and those walking, cycling and wheeling.  Indeed, there is also an opportunity for the project to reduce noise pollution for a number of residents and remove freight movements through these densely populated areas.

Any option taken forward will be designed to include active travel routes connecting to existing paths and networks and thereby contributing to the overall active travel network in the region.  There is an opportunity through the environmental assessment work to provide a range of enhancements in terms of landscaping, ecology and flooding and to create pleasant segregated routes alongside the new road. 

We also note your comment about rail, however, the initial options appraisal concluded that rail options made only limited contribution to project objectives.  Nevertheless, the study (Strategy 8) did acknowledge there were opportunities to potentially improve connectivity links at Coatbridge these will be considered further out with the scope of the East Airdrie Link Road project.

In summary, it is our view that the proposed project is aligned with many of the objectives outlined in your letter. As we move in to Stage 2 of the current study, we will be seeking to ensure the optimum performance against the overall project objectives and to explore opportunities for maximising benefits of the new scheme towards modal shift.  To that end, have invited  welcome constructive engagement with GoBike on how your organisation considers these goals might be achieved.

We have set up stakeholder consultation groups, including on active travel, and acknowledge that your colleague Derek York has agreed to participate in the Active Travel Group.

We hope the above addresses some of your concerns and that you will be able to contribute further as the project develops through Stage 2.

In the meantime, if I can be of any further assistance, please contact the undersigned.
Regards

Yvonne Baker
Senior Project Manager (Enterprise Projects)
Enterprise & Communities
North Lanarkshire Council“

While this is not the result we had dreamed of, it is probably what we expected, but GoBike has been listened to. The inclusion of GoBike member, Derek, in North Lanarkshire’s Active Travel Stakeholder Consultation Group is very welcome.

3.3 North Lanarkshire Council, Active Travel Stakeholder Group online workshop 30 July

Quick on the heels of that email was the first meeting of the Active Travel Group last Thursday, held online and attended by Derek, on behalf of GoBike. The focus of discussion was the East Airdrie Link Road, a new A-road planned by North Lanarkshire Council funded by City Deal.
The screenshot above shows the possible route alignments; the final decision is yet to be made. The northern section is quite barren, 600ft above sea level and over peat bog. The southern section is nearer settlements, including Airdrie, Chapelhall, Plains and Calderbank. Mike Batley of the Central Scotland Green Network suggested the southern section could follow the western route for active travel-only (with road separate to east). It wasn’t clear if this will be taken on board. The next meeting will be in August but no word on next steps.
The proposed shared path would be wider than sections on A73 near Carluke. It’s nothing to write home about but obviously better than the section between Newhouse and Cleland/Bellside, which has no pavement at all. Other stakeholders were underwhelmed – Sustrans, SPT, Central Scotland Green Network, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (https://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/guide-to-the-partnership/the-partners).

Derek’s also given us some background to the proposals:

The road was initially proposed as a bypass over ten years ago to get HGVs off the current A73 through Airdrie. The Sustrans rep at the meeting asked whether NLC had considered not building road in light of the climate emergency. North Lanarkshire’s response was that the new road was about “redistribution” of traffic, not adding. Active travel infrastructure was added later in process (reminiscent of Stewartfield Way in South Lanarkshire). The proposed line of the road passes two potential sites for a new Monklands hospital (Glenmavis and Wester Moffat). The presentation mentioned economic development but not cycle commuting (aims come from old NLC cycling strategy). Aecom (the design consultants) and North Lanarkshire Council claim they want a modal shift to cycling – hence their proposal for a shared use path on one side (3m+buffer). They are proposing roundabout junctions with uncontrolled crossings (road is single lane 60mph). Est. 9k motor vehicle flows – 10k+ would require grade separated junctions – traffic modelling is to be confirmed.
The proposed shared path would be wider than sections on A73 near Carluke. It’s nothing to write home about but obviously better than the section between Newhouse and Cleland/Bellside, which has no pavement at all. Other stakeholders were underwhelmed – Sustrans, SPT, Central Scotland Green Network, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (https://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/guide-to-the-partnership/the-partners).

A decision about a new Monklands hospital site still hasn’t been taken. If it’s at one of the sites on the above corridor then that might change things. FYI see: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/consult-engage/monklands-engagement/

That’s it for now, a welcome return of consultations and plenty to get our teeth into.

This is a huge opportunity. In the past, many parts of East Ren have often felt like a hostile and dangerous place for people on bikes – yet the sheer number and diversity of people seen out enjoying walking and cycling during lockdown have shown just how much of a difference safer, low-traffic spaces can make. Almost 100,000 people live in the East Ren council area and with reduced capacity on public transport likely for the foreseeable future, safe routes for active travel are critical to avoid further locking in car-dependency.

So what’s on the cards?

East Renfrewshire have recently released their Transport Response to Covid-19 for community feedback: read on for more details for each area. There are a number of plans for specific areas for the short to medium term, plus some general measures for the longer term like Neighbourhood Zones and School Streets.

As always, the proof is in the pudding and the devil is in the…implementation – but these are really promising proposals. The change can be a hard sell for local politicians, especially since support is often less vocal than resistance – so if you like what you see, please let East Renfrewshire council and your local councillors know!

If you live, work, or travel in East Renfrewshire, please consider:

• Adding your feedback on the proposals via the community map here,
• Suggesting other specific routes here,
• Contacting your local councillor here – https://www.writetothem.com/.

Giffnock

In Giffnock, Phase 1 measures include widening pavements at key pinch points on Fenwick Road to allow for better physical distancing, as well as a stretch of ‘pop-up’ cycle lane further south between the train station and Eastwood Park. This is a really exciting development as it’s a key commuter route as well as linking up community facilities like the school, park, leisure centre and library…but in phase 2, it gets even better!

A proposed ‘strategic cycle corridor 2’ would link Newton Mearns to Giffnock by:

• Reallocating road space (and converting some existing painted lanes) to a light segregation cycleway – that is, one separated from traffic by the use of batons or small humps like these,
• Reducing speed on Ayr Road from 40mph to 30mph.

….whilst maintaining bus access and liaising with Glasgow City Council about cross-boundary links. 

A further stretch of light segregation cycleway – strategic cycle corridor 4 – would link Eastwood Toll to Spiersbridge Roundabout, connecting more communities and enabling safe access to Rouken Glen Park for people on bikes.  Just off this, Davieland Road is proposed to change to one-way, to prevent rat running and excessive speeding. This includes a light segregated cycle way which, with the space gained from redetermining this to one way, we would encourage planners to be unidirectional on both sides of the road, safely buffered from the park parking bays, and out of the current extremely poorly surfaced painted cycle lane.

These corridors would be a fantastic community resource to enable many more people to choose cycling for everyday journeys, and to allow the amazing increase in leisure cycling seen during lockdown to continue (see graph below).

Netherlee & Clarkston

Netherlee and Clarkston have to wait til Phase 2 but they also get a Strategic Cycle Corridor of their own, this time between Clarkston Toll and the entrance to Linn Park. This is a very welcome development, especially given the connections it will create to the local primary school – but we can’t help but wish it was more than 1 mile long (an average of 5 minutes on a bike).

In particular, there’s a real need to continue the corridor onwards towards Cathcart, Shawlands, and the city centre if more people are going to be able to choose bikes over cars for commuting, shopping, and socialising. 

Also, the stretch near the entrance Linn Park where this cycleway is currently planned to end has a solid island median in the middle of the road that encourages close passing or tailgating of people cycling – we would encourage planners to extend the segregation through this section in order to prevent this.

Thronliebank

A number of measures are proposed in and around Thornliebank, with phase one seeing on-street parking reallocated on Main St to provide space for social distancing for those accessing shops and services.

Measures in Phase 2 focus on the roads around Spiersbridge roundabout, next to Rouken Glen Park. As well as the proposed strategic cycle route along Spiersbridge Road (covered above in Giffnock section), there are proposals to close Rouken Glen Rd to through vehicular traffic.

This route predominantly functions as a shortcut (aka rat run) for vehicles avoiding Spiersbridge roundabout. This is a welcome proposal for anyone who has had to negotiate Spiersbridge roundabout on a bicycle, or indeed tried to cross the two lane carriageway on foot or wheeling. This will also provide a direct link to the proposed strategic cycle corridor along Spiersbridge Road to Eastwood Toll, ultimately linking up to the route on the A77 Fenwick Road.

There are limited details on measures being rolled out in Thornliebank from Phase 3 onwards. We would encourage planners to consider a strategic active travel corridor along the B769- potentially linking Dams to Darnley country park, Rouken Glen Park and Pollok Park together, and linking up to other active travel routes.

Barrhead & Neilston

The Main Street in Barrhead has promising proposals to reallocate on-street parking bays to make space for a segregated cycle lane. The plans show this stretching from Dovecothall Roundabout to Allan’s Corner.

This section of the town currently has an abundance of carparks a few steps from the main road that make this a really viable possibility. Traffic doesn’t flow well here at the moment due to cars pulling in and out of on-street parking, and reallocating on-street parking to an active travel corridor would not only help the traffic flow more easily, but would make the town safer and more attractive for people travelling to and through it on bikes.

A partially traffic free link is proposed with a full road closure that could link Barrhead to Neilston via a backroad. The full closure is proposed for Springfield Road between the ‘Five Ways Junction’ at Springfield Road and Kirktonfield Crescent.

While we would prefer direct arterial routes that are more likely to increase modal share in cycling uptake, this proposal could bridge a gap that would open up access between the towns as well as Dams to Darnley Country Park for some people. 

A number of other short road closures to improve pedestrian safety are also proposed for Barrhead within phase two, which are worth commenting on if it’s an area you know.

Looking further ahead…

Looking further ahead, the plan also mentions some exciting options in phase 3, including:

• Neighbourhood Zones (reducing traffic in residential streets by reducing through routes whilst maintaining local access)
• School Zones (limiting traffic around schools at key times to ensure child safety and a more pleasant environment)
• a truly connected active travel network…we can but dream! 

Get commenting, tweeting, and speaking to your elected members, to show your support for a safer, healthier, greener post-Covid future in East Renfrewshire…and consider joining GoBike to support safer streets as our new normal. 

GoBike member, Peter, was out and about in the city centre this week and has sent in these disturbing pictures:

It’s not clear what the purpose is of these closed off lanes. Are they just for pedestrian overspill or meant to be cycle lanes; or both? This bit on St Vincent Street didn’t seem accessible or much use and yet this is a busy street and needs a cycle lane.

Ah, perhaps this is what the barriers are for – for drivers to adjust them to suit their parking requirements?

Ah, it’s much easier to move the traffic cones, as has been done here on Hope Street near the junction with Renfrew Street.

Is this a cycle lane or pedestrian overspill – allowing for when the pub on this corner of George Square opens soon?

And just looking down Queen Street from the previous picture, more “parking places” protected by cones.

On the other side of George Square, just how does one cycle up North Hanover Street? Why’s our lane blocked off?

And look, the promised ability, as per the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order that GoBike commented on, to cycle in front of City Chambers and around the square has been stopped. Why?

This looks good: is it a new cycle lane to help residents and visitors alike to cycle away from Central Station down Union Street and on to their destination? Let’s hope so!

Oh no, it’s just an elongated taxi rank with what looks like a bit of private motor parking thrown in. Och well, we’ll just have to keep braving the buses and taxis.

As if all that wasn’t enough, what about the on-off cycle lane on Dumbreck Road? Some of you might have seen this failure to provide a competent bit of infrastructure as reported by the Evening Times and Road.cc.

Initially created as a coned trial lane, when the cones first disappeared a week ago (and the paint remained) Glasgow City Council told us that the cones would be reinstated, but one week on, they are now saying that they won’t be reinstating the cones “for the safety of all users”!! Clearly not the safety of road users on bikes!

It has also emerged that the way the council have removed this section of the lane goes against agreed policy.

Our council have declared a climate emergency and should be working to transport hierarchy principles, creating a safe network for active travel. Removing protected cycle lanes that have used spend and resource time is not that. Glasgow city council must redesign this lane safely and do it now.

And they try to tell us that painted lines on our roads make for safe cycling?

We know it’s a difficult time but surely the life of people walking and cycling should not be put at risk in this way. Could Glasgow City Council please make it clear where people may go, whether they are walking, cycling or driving?

This Digest continues to promote the Commonplace maps, plus we have an interesting consultation on the Kingston Bridge and a copy of the GoBike submission for Pollok Park, where private cars are back parking irresponsibly.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Historic Environment Scotland, Kingston Bridge proposed to be a Listed Structure, closes 17 July
2. Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required
3. East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views
4. Glasgow City Council, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nil to report

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Pollok Park Planning Application, GoBike submission
2. Glasgow, Queen Street Railway Station, new bike stands
3. Glasgow, London Road, East City Way, painted lines appearing
4. Glasgow, George Square, Implementation of Experimental Traffic Regulation Order
5. Glasgow, Stockingfield Road Canal Junction, bridge construction commencing any time now

Section 1: Current Consultation, in date order for responses

Omitted from this Digest are 2 consultation from the Scottish Parliament on the effects of Covid-19, the Impact on Equalities & Human Rights and on Scotland’s businesses, workers and the economy. Both are open long-term and, if you have not responded and you wish to, please see Digest 63, items 1.6 and 1.7

1.1 **NEW** Historic Environment Scotland, Kingston Bridge proposed to be a Listed Structure, closes 17 July

A GoBike member, alerted us to the proposal to list this massive bridge carrying cars, buses, vans, lorries over the River Clyde in Glasgow. Details are on the Historic Environment Scotland website here.
There is no doubt that there are far too many motor vehicles and that the dangers they pose are under-rated in society. If you are concerned about the proposed listing of the bridge do please have a look at the HES website and put your views in.

1.2 Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required

This search for your views was in our last 2 Digests and here’s the link for your views. Do please get them in.

1.3 East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views

We informed you of the East Renfrewshire Commonplace map in Digest 63, Item 1.4 and in Digest 62. Here’s the link to the map. If you live, work or cycle in East Renfrewshire please do post your concerns, if any, on the map.

1.4 Glasgow City Council, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

This third Commonplace map arrived just in time for our last Digest, but here’s the link again, so please upload your comments.

This update arrived on 30 June:

And this message arrived on 04 July:

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing on the horizon this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Pollok Park Planning Application, GoBike submission

In Digest 63, Item 1.2 we listed some items of concern/interest in the proposals and, with thanks to opinions and some vigorous discussion from several GoBike members, this letter of qualified objection to the Planning Application was submitted on 30 June.

We are delighted that private motor cars are to be prevented, by gates, from driving through the park, as they can at present. We also very much support the emphasis on public transport and active travel. However, we are not delighted with all the proposals.

GoBike objects to the proposal to allow private cars into the existing main car park, ie the one nearest the Burrell Collection, even though a new car park is to be constructed at the Haggs Road gate. To aid traffic to the existing car park, it is proposed to dual the access road from Haggs Road, which is pictured here, above and below, by constructing another carriageway to the left of the trees. We have objected to this proposed construction and consider that, if the car park at the Burrell is restricted to buses, coaches, blue badge holders and deliveries, this existing road, perhaps with passing places for large vehicles, will suffice.

We understand that now cars are allowed back in the park, the uncontrolled parking has resumed. One of our concerns with the application was the lack of control of motor vehicles.

3.2 Glasgow, Queen Street Railway Station, new bike stands

Back in December 2014, GoBike responded to the consultation on the redevelopment of Queen Street Station, see this short blog from the time. We were keen to see more cycle facilities and, would you believe it – the photo above shows cycle racks where it was envisaged to have none!

3.3 Glasgow, London Road, East City Way, painted lines appearing

In October last year there was public consultation on the proposals, see Digest 19, Item 1.1 , for a bi-directional cycle lane along London Road to Mount Vernon and beyond for a distance of 7km. GoBike’s preference would be for a uni-directional lane on each side and that is now what is being painted on the carriageway. The painted lines currently (as of Saturday 04 July) go from Fielden Street in the west to Helenvale Street in the east.

We do not know whether the plans are for some form of segregation; we hope so and as the following 2 photos show, irresponsible car parking is incompatible with comfortable cycling.
Currently the lanes stop short of each traffic light junction with cycle traffic exiting the cycle lane into a left-turning lane. This is obviously unsatisfactory for people who are cycling straight on but we have not been party to any of the plans so will have to wait and see what transpires.
Our third concern is what will happen at the junction with the bi-directional lane just to the east of Bridgeton Cross – again, it’s wait and see.

Segregation will help prevent parking but we do hope something is currently proposed to manage it.

3.4 Glasgow, George Square, Implementation of Experimental Traffic Regulation Order

Back in March this year GoBike responded positively to an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order issued by Glasgow City Council to very much reduce motor traffic in George Square. Our response was featured in Digest 57, issued 31 March.

Accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, work has now been carried out in George Square to implement the Order.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order lasts for 18 months during which time its effects may be assessed and changes introduced with a permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

3.5 Glasgow, Stockingfield Road Canal Junction, bridge construction commencing anytime now

Almost 2 years ago, in Digest 17, Item 1.6, published 17 September 2018, we reported on public consultation events around the proposed construction of a bridge over the canal junction at Stockingfield.

GoBike member, Alasdair, has now informed us that there will be changes to the route for anyone cycling along the canal at Stockingfield, because work on the Stockingfield Bridge is to start this week. The towpath will be closed from the junction to Ruchill Church for some time. The steps down to Lochburn Road will remain open. We do not currently have any details of timescale.

Diversions are currently under active discussion but no specific route has yet been agreed, so if you are cycling, or walking, on the towpath in the area, do watch out for work starting. We will hopefully be able to report on the diversionary route in our next Digest in 2 weeks time.

The works will remove the detour via this canal underbridge – a welcome improvement.

_________________________________________________

Quite a short digest for you this time, perhaps because we are into the holiday season – with nowhere to go but a slightly longer cycle ride?

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Scottish Government – Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June
2. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Planning Application, closes 06 July
3. Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required.
4. East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views
5. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, South Central Glasgow Local Development Framework – Key Issues Survey, closes 06 July
6. Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights
7. Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – Impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy
8. Glasgow, Woodside, Urban Realm seeks views on Public Realm Improvements
9. Glasgow, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

There is ongoing consultation via the Commonplace maps! Please contribute and, hopefully, some of the comments will be developed into full-blown schemes for future consultation.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal, Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange Planning Application, response to GoBike submission
2. Glasgow, Multiplex University of Glasgow Campus Development – June 2020 Newsletter

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order (more or less) for responses

1.1 Scottish Government – Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June

We have featured this consultation a few times now, most recently in Digest 62, Item 1.1 and it’s important that YOU follow the link and put your views in within the week, ie by 30 June, next Tuesday. We have a climate emergency and we need to move to a green economy. Please do this; it’s an easy set of questions and it’s important that we all get our views in.

1.2 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Planning Application, closes 06 July

Information on this Planning Application arrived just in time to get a mention in Digest 62, Item 1.2 and:

“The application is now available to view here (Reference Number 20/01352/FUL): https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QAZZ49EXIKO00&activeTab=summary“

The main document outlining the proposals is the Design and Access Statement.

The purpose of the proposed changes are to improve active travel and public transport access to the park and modifying access by private cars. If you visit the park do please have a look and see if the proposals meet your aspirations, or not – but do let the City Council know either way.

The main points to note and comment on, from GoBike’s perspective, are:

• Through motor traffic will be stopped.
• There is to be a new general car park and it is important that the existing car park closer to the Burrell is retained ONLY for accessible parking, bus and coach drop offs and deliveries.
• Parking should be charged in line with other visitor attractions in the city.
• There is currently visitor parking on Haggs Road and other local roads because the existing car park, and the whole park, is closed. The lane currently being used for parking in Haggs Road should be redesigned for cycle use. Residential roads currently being used for Pollok Park parking should be provided with double yellow lines.
• Changes are required in the traffic lights around the park to facilitate movement for people walking or on cycles.

The GoBike response is currently being prepared.

1.3 Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required.

If you cycle in Glasgow, and we know that most of you do, then you will have views as to where dropped kerbs are needed, where cycle priority is required at traffic lights, where contraflow cycling is needed to prevent large detours, where cycle lanes are required, etc, etc, etc, so please get them onto this map provided by Glasgow City Council in conjunction with Transport Scotland and Sustrans Scotland.

If you don’t get your views in then you can’t complain at the state of things. We mentioned this first in Digest 62, Item 1.9 and here’s a link to the Spaces for People – Glasgow Commonplace map for you to follow.

1.4 East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views

Feeling safe as your circumnavigate this roundabout on your bike? Here’s the link to the East Renfrewshire Council’s page outlining the approach to COVID-19 measures and the Commonplace map is here, for your views and comments. We featured this first in Digest 62, Item 1.6 and we do hope that you will show East Renfrewshire Council where changes are needed to improve your journeys.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, South Central Glasgow Local Development Framework – Key Issues Survey, closes 06 July

Proposals for the development of the city continue to be drawn up and here’s the latest email that arrived on 15 June:

“Dear All

As part of the implementation of the Glasgow City Development Plan, we are preparing Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) for three key areas of spatial change across the City. 

One of these areas is South Central Glasgow where we are working with Architecture and Design Scotland as part of their Place Planning for Decarbonisation initiative to ensure our plans are more climate and carbon considerate and in line with Glasgow City’s commitment to tackle climate change and achieve a target of net-zero carbon by 2030.

We had intended to host a number of collaborative workshops to seek your input in identifying the key issues / key areas for improvement for the area and to help us to shape the emerging plan for the area. Due to the current COVID situation, we are limited to carrying out this engagement through an online survey developed in line with the Place Standard Tool. A more formal consultation process will also be held later in the process of developing the LDF.

The survey is available here – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SouthCentralLDFSurvey/. The attached document provides a brief overview.

Your input is key to this work and I would be grateful if you could highlight this engagement to your colleagues / other members as well and invite them to complete the survey. The deadline for the same is 6th July 2020.

For any queries regarding the survey or the South Central LDF, please contact (name and email address of the Planning Officer removed by GoBike).

Thank you for your time and input.
Regards

Michael
Michael Ward
Principal Planner, Sustainable Strategy (Neighbourhoods)
Planning & Building Standards, Development & Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council“

GoBike committee member, Brenda, has looked at the survey for her area and reports that it is essential that you look at the document attached to the email:

South Central LDF – An Overview

This is a survey, and like most of these on-line surveys, it is best done individually. GoBike will be doing a full response when the formal consultation comes out later in the year, but at this time, If you live, work or cycle in any of the areas covered do please do try to get through the rather clunky survey for the area(s) most of concern to you.

Do note though that the pdf says it’s expected to take about 30 mins to complete. It’s worth doing by anyone who cares about any of the areas as a place, but perhaps a bit of an ask if you just want to be able to cycle through safely..

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

This government consultation featured as Item 1.3 in Digest 62 and there is no doubt that there are inequalities in travel, among other things. Here’s the link to start the short survey; do please complete it, particularly if you have views for the longer term eradication of inequalities.

1.7 Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – Impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy

This survey was in Digest 62 as Item 1.4 and it applies to all of us:

“The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee is here and ready to listen to your views at this challenging time. We are keen to hear from you on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, workers and the economy in Scotland.“

Views are invited by email, so it’s an open page for you to give your views. If you are involved in active travel, it’s particularly important to give your views – we are at the bottom of the pile just now, so any progress must be up! Here’s the link you need. Please get typing.

1.8 Glasgow, Woodside, Urban Realm seeks views on Public Realm Improvements

This first appeared in Digest 62, Item 1.5 and here are a couple of quotes from the Urban Realm newsletter:

“Queens Cross Housing Association has opened a consultative website relaying its plans for a series of environmental improvements to the Woodside area of Glasgow to stimulate discussion around the future public realm.“

“Feedback on these approaches is being sought remotely with interested parties invited to share their thoughts directly. All input received will help inform a planning application which is expected to be formally submitted in August, with phase one construction following by spring 2021.“

Note that the designs are actually on the Queen’s Cross HA website. There is a link from the Urban Realm newsletter, but it is not obvious. It is the link in the fourth paragraph, copied above, which says ‘share their thoughts‘. This takes you to the QXHA Woodside Making Places site. You then have to click on ‘The Design’ (top right) and this takes you to the detailed designs for each micro-community. You click on the relevant photographs. If you live in Woodside or your travels take you there, please do comment as to how the area may be improved.

GoBike members, Alasdair and Brenda have toured the area and Brenda has penned this letter of response for GoBike, which was submitted on 22 June.

1.9 Glasgow, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

Just in today from GoBike’s co-convenor Thomas, from twitter:

The Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken is encouraging everyone with an interest in these areas to take part, “So, have your say and pop a pin on our map at http://yourcitycentre2020.commonplace.is“

Many, if not most of us, will live, shop, visit and or work in these areas so please do get your views in.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

We hope that consultations will be getting back to “normal” late summer or autumn but please do take note of where changes are required and post them on Commonplace maps.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal, Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange Planning Application, response to GoBike submission

Changes are proposed for Motherwell Railway Station and in Digest 61, Item 1.1 we published this response to the Planning Application 20/00345/FUL

“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.”

On 09 June, just as Digest 62 was going to press, this reply arrived from North Lanarkshire Council:

“I’ve been forwarded on your recent comments on the above noted planning application in Motherwell town centre, by the Planning case officer.

I’m based in the Council’s Enterprise Projects Team and am the overall project lead for the Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange Project, of which these proposals at Muir Street form part.

We’re working in partnership with ScotRail, Transport Scotland and SPT on the wider project, which involves significant investment in Motherwell Rail Station. The proposed investment in Muir Street (through our Glasgow City Region City Deal programme) complements and supports the station proposals. In partnership with SPT, we’ve also invested in park and ride improvements, active travel infrastructure improvements within Strathclyde Country Park and associated signage in the last financial year.

The proposals at Muir Street therefore form part of wider picture which aims to improve public transport and active travel infrastructure, to encourage modal shift to more sustainable travel options by making these options more attractive and accessible.  It is hoped that further infrastructure improvements will follow in coming years, subject to funding.  

In response to specific points raised within your comments:

• Cycle parking arrangements at Motherwell Railway Station:  As part of the works being delivered at the station, a new cycle storage shelter (with capacity for c20-30 cycles) will be provided within the station forecourt. The station works are due to commence at the end of June this year, with completion by Autumn/Winter 2021;

• Extent of the proposals: as noted above, these proposals link to recently implemented works to improve active travel infrastructure within Strathclyde Country Park. The aim of these works was to create an improved off road shared pedestrian and cycle route through Strathclyde Country Park, linking to recent active travel infrastructure improvements at the M74 Raith Interchange, with onwards directional signage to and from Motherwell Rail Station via Ladywell Road and High Road;

• Location of the shared footpath/cyclepath next to the taxi rank: the path running alongside the new station access road and taxi road is a shared use footpath/cyclepath to cater for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the station and for access to the taxi rank. Due to the constrained nature of the site and the number of stakeholder requirements that need to be met, unfortunately we cannot accommodate a wider path in this area. It is intended to install cyclist dismount signage at either end of the taxi rank in recognition of the higher likelihood of conflict between pedestrians and cyclists within this area. The path will be delineated from the taxi rank with kerbing and a different surface finish, although the kerbs will be low in height to enable ease of access to and from taxis.“

Tricia spoke to the writer of the email to express disappointment at the very limited changes and how a path originally described as a “cycle path” is actually intended to be a footpath where one may wheel a bike. The writer, who does cycle and has cycled more during lockdown and seen the challenges, explained the severe limitations on space at this city centre site. From the discussion we are hopeful that we will be able to be more involved in future North Lanarkshire consultations in the future.
If you live in North Lanarkshire do please contact your councillors to press for better cycle facilities.

3.2 Glasgow, Multiplex University of Glasgow Campus Development – June 2020 Newsletter

This newsletter arrived on 17 June and you may read the full contents here. Your chance to get up-to-date with changes at the University.

Please do look at the Commonplace Maps and insert your comments. Hope you enjoy your cycling in these long days of summer but do please take care now more cars are back on the roads.

Yes, we have requests for your views from the Scottish Government to Glasgow and East Renfrewshire councils and cycling organisations, so do please get those fingers clicking.
The majority have no closing dates but don’t delay, get your views in before the cars come back and your temperature rises.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Scottish Government – Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Planning Application, closes 06 July
3. Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights
4. Scottish Parliament, EEFW Commitee, COVID-19 – Impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Woodside, Urban Realm seek views on Public Realm Improvements
6. **NEW** East Renfrewshire, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for your views
7. **NEW** Scottish Green Party, Street Space for Glasgow – Join our campaign, tell us your ideas
8. **NEW** Cycling UK in Scotland, Using the Widen My Path mapping tool to call for Space for Distancing measures
9. **NEW** Glasgow City Council Spaces for People – Glasgow Commonplace map

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

We’ve drawn a blank again.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Sustrans, Spaces to Move tool
2. Glasgow City Development Plan – Update
3. Glasgow, On Bikes: how did they get that cycle lane on Langdale Street?

Section 1: Current Consultations

1.1 Scottish Government – Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June

This consultation first featured in Digest 60, Item 1.1 and here’s some information from the Government 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 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. There are only about 6 questions, each with a box for your thoughts, so do get them in.

1.2 **NEW** Glasgow Pollok Country Park – Planning Application, closes 06 July

This email arrived yesterday, 08 June; we haven’t had time to digest it yet but if you have any views please do respond yourself to the application but also let GoBike know by either emailing consultations@gobike.org or, if you are an active GoBike member, use the Slack Consultations channel.

“Hello,

Following an extensive period of public engagement, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life have submitted a planning application for an Active Travel Management Plan in Pollok Country Park. This Plan improves access to and within the park by promoting public transport and pedestrian links, modifying private car access and vehicular routes within the park, and improving connectivity to local areas.

The application is now available to view here (Reference Number 20/01352/FUL): https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QAZZ49EXIKO00&activeTab=summary

A copy of the engagement feedback and responses will be available to view via the above link shortly.

If you have any questions about the application please get in touch.

Kind Regards,

Glasgow City Council/Glasgow Life“

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

This open-ended survey was first covered in Digest 60, Item 1.2 and here’s a quote from the Parliament’s 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“

There is no doubt that the very people who suffer from the lack of an effective travel system are the ones who will be suffering from Covid-19. It is significant that many people have adopted the cycle as a means of transport during the pandemic and many more would walk and cycle if our streets were less congested by motor vehicles and the air were cleaner.
There are only 5 questions, each with a box for your thoughts, so please get them down in print.

Here’s the link to start the survey.

1.4 Scottish Parliament, EEFW Commitee, COVID-19 – Impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy

This is the 3rd nation-wide survey that is being aired here for the 3rd time, previously in Digest 60, Item 1.3 and Digest 61, Item 1.5, and it applies specifically to businesses, workers and the economy – which basically affects all of us. Here’s a quote from the Parliament’s website:

“The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee is here and ready to listen to your views at this challenging time. We are keen to hear from you on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, workers and the economy in Scotland.“

Views are invited by email, so it’s an open page for you to give your views. If you are involved in active travel, it’s particularly important to give your views – we are at the bottom of the pile just now, so any progress must be up!

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Woodside, Urban Realm seek views on Public Realm Improvements

GoBike member, Brenda, alerted us to this news from Urban Realm. Here are some words from their newsletter:

Queens Cross Housing Association has opened a consultative website relaying its plans for a series of environmental improvements to the Woodside area of Glasgow to stimulate discussion around the future public realm. 
Conducted in parallel with plans by Sustrans to introduce an active travel network the Woodside Making Places initiative seeks to unify streets, parks and playgrounds as a single connected habitat of routes and spaces.
Indicative designs have been brought forward by landscape architects Raeburn Farquhar Bowen to show how key areas such as St George’s in the Fields; North Woodside Pool and the M8 motorway can be made to function as one with new planting, community gardens, cycle routes and a civic space at the junction of North Woodside and St Georges Roads.

This appears to link in, or even overlap, the Avenues Programme for the Underline route linking Great Western Road with Cambridge Street. However, this current Urban Realm consultation is about the overall public realm whereas the Avenues Programme is more active travel focussed.

The newsletter goes on to say:

“Feedback on these approaches is being sought remotely with interested parties invited to share their thoughts directly. All input received will help inform a planning application which is expected to be formally submitted in August, with phase one construction following by spring 2021.“

Note that the designs are actually on the Queen’s Cross HA website. There is a link from the Urban Realm newsletter, but it is not obvious. It is the link in the fourth paragraph which says ‘share their thoughts‘. This takes you to the QXHA Woodside Making Places site. You then have to click on ‘The Design’ (top right) and this takes you to the detailed designs for each micro-community. You click on the relevant photographs.

So please enter your views as soon as you can.

1.6 **NEW** East Renfrewshire, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for your views

GoBike member, Duncan, alerted us first to this initiative from East Renfrewshire and then on 04 June we received this email from the Local Authority:

“Subject: East Renfrewshire Council Transport Response to COVID-19

Dear Stakeholders,

The situation resulting from COVID-19 is unprecedented has resulted in profound changes to travel patterns and how people use streets and spaces in East Renfrewshire. In response to the emergency East Renfrewshire Council have recently approved a Transport Response to COVID-19, which outlines a dynamic and phased approach to help residents adapt and renew to the current emergency, as well as help mitigate virus transmission and a possible ‘second surge’.

We have recently launched an interactive map in order to provide further information on measures contained in the Transport Response to COVID-19 . This platform will give residents and stakeholders the opportunity to find out more about the Transport Response, proposed plans and the opportunity to provide feedback on specific measures across the area

Spaces for People in East Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire Council have secured funding through the Sustrans and Transport Scotland ‘Spaces for People’ programme to identify temporary response measures that help residents practice physical distancing and to move around safely in public spaces during the COVID-19 emergency. This is in order to limit virus transmission and to enable residents to safely walk, cycle and wheel for essential journeys and exercise.

As part of this emergency response we looking for your views on issues and opportunities to improve safe physical distancing when walking, cycling and wheeling in your area. For more information and how you can help us identify areas where measures are required please visit  https://erspacesforpeoplemap.commonplace.is  

We hope this information is of use and please feel free to distribute to colleagues, contacts and social networks.

Kind regards

John Shelton – Senior Strategy Officer (Roads & Transportation)

Angus Collins – Partnership Officer (Corporate and Community Services)“

If, for any reason, you walk or cycle in East Renfrewshire, do please contribute to the map.

1.7 **NEW** Scottish Green Party, Street Space for Glasgow – Join our campaign, tell us your ideas

GoBike has no political affiliation, although several of our members are in political parties and here’s a message from the Green Party on a topic close to our collective heart:

The links were removed to get that message in but they are all here. Do have a look – at least this is politicians looking for our views!

1.8 **NEW** Cycling UK in Scotland, Using the Widen My Path mapping tool to call for Space for Distancing measures

It’s important that our views are heard if we wish to make any gains for active travel out of this awful pandemic.

Cycling UK in Scotland is looking for your views, with this email that we received on 05 June:

“Dear campaigners, groups and supporters

Apologies for the mass mailing and to anyone who is already using the Widen My Path tool.

This is a quick update about how we are using the Widen My Path campaign’s mapping tool in the next phase of our campaigning at Cycling UK in Scotland.

The number of Scottish councils applying to the Space for People fund is growing and we hope to see many more measures being put in place soon. At CUK we are now asking our members and supporters to use the Widen My Path campaign tool to 1) show there is still a need for all councils to provide space for distancing and 2) show where measure would be most helpful. Our campaign webpage also helps supporters to contact their councillors to let them know they have used the tool.

Some councils are already consulting on where measures would be most helpful so we will be asked them to use the responses in the Widen My Path map in conjunction with any other mapping tools or decision-making processes.

It would be great to get lots of ideas uploaded onto the Widen My Path map so if you are part of a local campaign please do encourage your group members, and their friends and relations, to use it either directly at https://www.widenmypath.com/  or through our CUK webpage where people can also send a message to their councillors.

Regards

Jim
Jim Densham
Campaigns and Policy Manager – Scotland, Cycling UK in Scotland“

We need to make our voices heard so please contribute to this campaign.

1.9 Glasgow City Council Spaces for People – Glasgow Commonplace map

Glasgow City Council are working closely with Sustrans to provide Space For People, and have created their own CommonPlace map for this: 

Here’s a link to the Spaces for People – Glasgow Commonplace map, a project initiated, and information supplied, by Sustrans Scotland, Transport Scotland and Glasgow City Council

We in GoBike would like thank everyone for all your great ideas on our Streets for All Glasgow Commonplace site, developed in conjunction with Glasgow Eco Trust and On Bikes. We are hoping to work closely with Glasgow City Council and Sustrans Scotland to make sure these ideas contribute to the new #SpacesForPeople Commonplace from the City Council.

Our Streets For All Glasgow commonplace is still active and we still wish for folk to pass comments on it that are outside of Space For People, so that we can use this as data in the longer term to push for change.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

We’ve drawn a blank again, but there is plenty in Section 1 to keep you busy.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Sustrans, Spaces to Move tool, looking for feedback

Adam Kesby in Sustrans Scotland wrote to us on 29 May with this email:

“As ever thanks for your bulletins/digests – really useful in my work to get folks to politicise and advocate for their interest in cycling.

At present I am pushing the Spaces to Move tool – it’s UK-wide, trying to gather feedback on the temporary schemes:

Here’s Sustrans’ tweet about it: https://twitter.com/sustrans/status/1258298042668716032

Although not a formal monitoring tool – we are using it to collate responses to schemes – and I thought it would be of interest to you and your network! It’s not just for Spaces for People funded initiatives.“

That’s a nice, short email giving GoBike both praise and information! If you have any feedback do please submit it.

3.2 Glasgow City Development Plan – Update

Two of our members told us about this email that was issued by the City Council on 01 June:

Subject: Glasgow City Development Plan – Update (OFFICIAL)  

OFFICIAL

Dear Sir/Madam

Work has commenced on the production of Glasgow City Development Plan 2 and we wish to give you an update to our position at this time.

It is anticipated that the timescale for the production of the next LDP will emerge during the course of 2020 and will reflect changes to the planning system which are emerging through planning reforms.  Detailed production of CDP 2 has been delayed until revised Development Planning Regulations have been produced in order to allow the new plan to align with emerging NPF4 policy priorities, the strategic context set out by the indicative Regional Spatial Strategy and other relevant strategies and outputs.

The timetable will be reflected in future updates of the Development Plan Scheme.

Early City Development Plan 2 activities have included:

• Early engagement with key statutory and non-statutory agencies to explore common challenges and opportunities;
• Preparatory work on a comprehensive community engagement exercise, which will use the National Place Standard as the basis for communities to input towards new Plan priorities;
• General background research to aid the new Plan preparation process. A series of Background Papers will be published online in due course;
• An early public Call for Sites exercise aimed at identifying potential new sites for development, alternative use or protection (January 2019). All submissions received will be retained and reviewed and there will be further opportunity to submit new sites, given the time period that has elapsed since the original Call for Sites exercise. All sites put forward will be subject to strategic environmental assessment and a wider planning assessment as part of the plan preparation process.
• The adoption of Glasgow’s Open Space Strategy

Regular updates will be prepared and published on the Council’s website to keep you informed of progress on City Development Plan 2 https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/17278/News-and-Timetables

Development Plan Team
Glasgow City Council
231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX
developmentplan@glasgow.gov.uk“

3.3 Glasgow, On Bikes: how did they get that cycle lane on Langdale Street?

This short cycle lane is a major success story for On Bikes and the local community in Blackhill. Local people got together to discuss how to make Langdale Street safer for children to get to school, people to get to work and for anyone who wishes to cycle.

Watch this super wee video to see Glasgow’s Lord Provost cycle the route and pronounce his support. Way to go, Blackhill!
https://twitter.com/_OnBikes/status/1262787134160863234

Originally, as seen in the video, the lane was marked out with old tyres, painted white with flowers from a major DIY store in them. Glasgow City Council then painted the lane at the junctions, put a white line along the route and protected it with cones. Unfortunately, the cones have now been removed – let’s hope it’s an administrative error – and cars are back parking there!
However, the City Council have promised to install physical separation – let’s hope it’s put in soon – and to look at the provision of a cycle lane on the other side of the street.

This is a wonderful example of Glasgow City Council listening to the community and supporting them to improve their neighbourhood. Democracy in action.

That’s quite a bundle of requests for your views. Please don’t disappoint them all; get your fingers clicking now!

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!