Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow. 
We will cut across the south side of Glasgow to Rutherglen. We’ll pass through Overtoun Park then continue across town to the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park. After that, we will return to Glasgow Green and the riverside through Dalmarnock. The ride is around 12 miles long, so will finish before lunchtime.

See https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides for further details of the GoBike rides, which are led by Andy Preece, with always something new to see.

For Sunday do please see the details that Andy has put on the website for a gentle 25 mile ride along the cycle path to Bowling and back along the canal. The feature photo for this post shows some of the people who went on the last GoBike ride to Bowling, pre-pandemic, having a refreshment stop and admiring the views.

That’s after we have negotiated the diversions the City Council have put in place for us!

See https://www.gobike.org/about-us/cycle-rides for further details.

Tactiles – those patterned square slabs set into pavements and paths – are there to give messages to people with visual impairments. Different patterns, different messages. Some of them carry messages about cycle infrastructure. Glasgow is using these incorrectly so often that using them at all is a waste of money. Read on to find out how and why.

Should cycle campaigners care about the correct use of tactiles? Yes, we should. As vulnerable road users we want streets that are safe for everyone to use, whether cycling, walking or wheeling. We don’t want our protection from motor traffic to create unnecessary extra problems for other people. When funding for cycling infrastructure includes providing tactiles to help keep people safe around silent cycles, those tactiles had better be giving the right messages.

Yet in Glasgow the tactiles used in cycle infrastructure (old, new and still under construction) seem to be chosen by some kind of lucky dip.  It takes an amateur about 30 seconds to find the guidance for which tactiles to use where (here).  So what is it that’s stopping Glasgow getting this right?

To be clear, we’re not talking about the most commonly seen tactiles, the ones with a stud (or ‘blister’) pattern.  They show where there are (relatively) safe street crossings.  If there are problems with how those are installed they’re too subtle for us to have noticed.  The next most commonly seen tactiles are the ones with a pattern of bars. The problem is that there are two kinds.  One kind has bars with a round section (‘corduroy’ pattern) closely spaced (30mm between bars).  The other kind has flat-topped bars (‘ladder/tramline’) not quite so closely spaced (70mm between bars).  The correct use of each is unambiguously distinct:

• the ladder/tramline kind  advises visually impaired people which side of a segregated shared cycle/footpath is the side for walking
• the corduroy kind advises visually impaired people of a hazard immediately ahead (“You’re about to fall down a flight of steps”).

So what’s the reason for the widespread incorrect, inconsistent and misleading use of these types on segregated cycle/footpaths in Glasgow?

Sometimes Glasgow does get this right.  Here’s the correct use at the southern end of the new cycleway on Garscube Road.

These are the tactiles with flat-topped bars, with the ladder orientation on the walking side and the tramline orientation on the cycling side, as described in the guidance.

(To digress here for a moment, much as we might wish for the unnerving wheel-catching tramline orientation to be on the walking side rather than the cycling side, there are better ways of spending the limited budget for cycle infrastructure than on digging up all the existing cycle/footway tactiles and swopping them round.)

But too often the choice of tactiles on these shared paths seems just random.  Does no-one notice there are two kinds?

The picture at the top of this piece is from the cycleway round the eastern side of Festival Park, which uses the (wrong) round-topped tactiles.  Those round-topped bars on the left (footpath side) are saying to someone (who needs their message) walking into the correct, safe, footway side, “You’re walking into a hazard”.  And on the cycling side, the round-topped bars are even better at that unnerving wheel grabbing than the flat-topped bars are, so people sometimes choose to cycle over the ladder-oriented footpath side instead.

And here are the tactiles on the paths on North Canal Bank Street (left) and (for a clear look at the round tops) Old Dumbarton Road (right), both currently under construction, both giving the same misleading message.

The guidance is clear – round topped tactiles are to warn people with visual impairments of a hazard ahead (a flight of steps, a platform edge).  Using them where there is no such hazard is crying ‘Wolf’ all over our streets.  Putting them across the pedestrian side of a segregated path (the safe place to walk) destroys their credibility as a warning of a hazard.

(The only use for the round-topped corduroy tactiles in connection with cycling is to warn that a footway is joining a shared route at a T-junction.)

Glasgow’s non-compliant use of tactiles goes beyond ‘just’ (!) picking the wrong type though.  

Here’s an inventive use at a bus stop on the cycleway on Paisley Road.

These tactiles have the flat-topped bars for use on segregated shared paths —  but they’re being used to mark a crossing to a bus stop.  For someone walking from right to left (crossing to the bus stop) they’re saying “You’re entering the walking side of a shared path”, i.e. “You’re safe”, when they’re about to walk across a separate cycleway.  For someone walking along the footway (bottom to top of the picture) they’re saying “ You’re entering the cycling side of a shared foot/cycleway”, i.e. “You’re in the wrong place”, when actually they’re safely on the footway.  We think the ‘blister’ pattern tactiles should have been used here.

And so to the flagship Sauchiehall Street Avenue.  Here are the tactiles marking its termination at Charing Cross:

Again, the tactiles are the ones with the flat-topped bars associated with cycle infrastructure.  But they’ve been used only on the cycleway with none on the footway side of the shared path.  And they’re on the cycleway in the ladder orientation.  They’re used this way at every side turning and on both sides of every mini-zebra crossing.  What’s the message?  For someone whose vision is impaired who sets out walking along the cycleway the message is “You’re on the footway side of a segregated shared path”, in other words “You’re in the right place, you’re safe”.

And on the footway side there are no tactiles which would send the message that there’s a parallel cycleway, separated only by the median slightly raised strip visible in the last picture.

Keep your eyes open around Glasgow and you’ll find more examples of the incorrect, and inappropriately inventive use of these tactiles, delivering inconsistent, unreliable messages to people who already have more than enough challenges in negotiating our streets.  These messages embedded in Glasgow’s streets are so unreliable that we can only assume that no-one pays attention to them.  Certainly no-one can depend on them.  What is it that stops Glasgow from getting this right?  Is it that the wrong person has the responsibility for specifying the details of cycle infrastructure?  Is it that minimal value is placed on getting the details right when cycle infrastructure is created?  Where does the accountability lie?

If we can’t get it right (which, observably, we can’t), the money it takes to specify, purchase and install these tactiles should be spent instead on a few more feet of cycleway, or more effective assistance for people whose vision is compromised.

1. Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces, DETR, 1998

See: https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/news/scottish-power-emergency-works-old-kilpatrick/?fbclid=IwAR20jDW-ucekrvqO6hJ1R9HQBXo9cEX_yTA7ANxMOJyVbJCgOrimVzWPrrU

If you were thinking of heading that way over the weekend or next week a new route will be needed. There is no indication of an alternative diversionary route on the information we have – sorry.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** NHS Lanarkshire, new Monklands Hospital, closes 18 October
2. **NEW** East Renfrewshire Council, Community online consultation on proposals for Barrhead South, closes 21 October
3. UK Department of Transport, Review of the Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October
4. Glasgow City Council, Connecting Communities, Transport Strategy Public Conversation, Your Views, closes 30 October
5. **NEW** Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation NO.27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, closes 30 October
6. **NEW** The Guardian Newspaper, Why we need media reporting guidelines for road safety, closes 08 November
7. **NEW** The Scottish Government, Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland – Consultation on Phase 1 Proposals, closes 08 November
8. Transport Scotland, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 – Draft public consultation, closes 01 December

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council, 01 October, confirmation of speed cushion installation on 6 schemes, Ladyloan Avenue, Muirhead Road, Gartocher Road, Maxwell Drive, Prospecthill Circus and Warriston Street
2. Glasgow Science Centre, Planning Application, acknowledgement of GoBike response
3. Multiplex University of Glasgow Campus Development – October 2020 Newsletter
4. City Deal Renfrewshire, Glasgow Airport Investment Area – traffic management works second phase
5. Glasgow City Council, 08 October, confirmation of speed cushion installation on 2 schemes, Newlands Park and Greenfield Road Area
6. North Lanarkshire – East Airdrie Link Road: Active Travel Stakeholder Group, report of 30 July meeting
7. North Lanarkshire – City Deal funding approved for Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** NHS Lanarkshire, new Monklands Hospital, closes 18 October

We are aware that Monklands Hospital in Airdrie is due to be replaced and a new hospital built at another site, at one of the 3 options shown above. These are, from left to right: Gartcosh, Glenmavis and Wester Moffat. We understand that active travel links will be considered, whichever option is selected – and the request is out for the public to give their views.

The information from NHS Lanarkshire is here:  https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/consult-engage/monklands-engagement/
Here’s the email address for your submission: MRP.Team@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

If you live, work or are otherwise interested in this area, please do respond and get the active travel view in.

1.2 **NEW** East Renfrewshire Council, Community online consultation on proposals for Barrhead South, closes 21 October

2 years ago, on 24 October there was a consultation event for the Barrhead Travel Links, which we mentioned in several Digests, the last being Digest 21, Item 1.1. There is now an online consultation, which you may access here. It’s a very simple questionnaire, with just one box for your views, so will only take a few minutes of your time.

1.3 UK Department of Transport, Review of the Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October

This is the final outing for this consultation. It is hoped that you have read the blog we published on this topic. You still have time to do so – and do please respond. All the information is in this blog and we need to ensure that views from those of us who cycle, walk and perhaps even ride a horse, outnumber those commentators who maintain that they own the roads because they pay “road tax”. Here’s the letter, penned by Brenda with some assistance from Calum, that GoBike sent in last Tuesday.

We received this email acknowledgement for our submission on 09 October:

“Many thanks for submitting a response to the Highway Code consultation to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. Your views are very important to us and your comments will be considered when we undertake full analysis of all replies.

A summary of responses, including the next steps, will be published within three months of the close of the consultation.

Highway Code Review 2020
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR
Follow us on twitter @transportgovuk”

So don’t expect overnight changes then!

1.4 Glasgow City Council, Connecting Communities, Transport Strategy Public Conversation, Your Views, closes 30 October

All the details for this online consultation were in Digest 70, Item 1.9 and here’s the link to how you may participate; it’s very easy to find out what the City Council is saying and to put in your views. Please do.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation NO.27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, closes 30 October

GoBike responded to the Stage One (limited) consultation on this back in March this year with this letter. We have now received the full public consultation with the following email that arrived on 08 October. Changes have been made since the initial proposals were issued:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION NO.27) ORDER 202_

Further to my consultation email of 13 February 2020 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant maps, statement of reasons and detailed report.

There has been some changes to the proposals which are specifically:

• The previous definition of Hanover Court has now been split into two sections namely North Frederick Street and North Frederick Path as per the attached plan;
• The previous proposed new electric vehicle only parking spaces on Bell Street, Bothwell Street, Collins Street, Holland Street, Ingram Street, Rose Street and Rottenrow East have been removed from the proposals;

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX  or by e-mail to lestraffic@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 30 October 2020.

Yours faithfully

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

Here are the drawings that were attached to the email:

11.01-Publication-of-Proposals-Press-Notice-Advertised-09.10.2020
09.01_-_Draft_Report
08.01_-_Statement_of_Reasons
Publication-Douglas-Lane
Publication-Electric-Bays-Inner-Area
Publication-Electric-Bays-Outer-Area
Publication-Hanover-Court-renamed
Publication-Motorcycle-Bays
Publication-Proposed-Candleriggs-Development

This appears to be an improvement on the initial proposals, although there is no mention of the contraflow cycling for Candleriggs that was promised at Stage One, so we will be asking about that in the GoBike response.

1.6 **NEW** The Guardian Newspaper, Why we need media reporting guidelines for road safety, closes 08 November

This is a fascinating survey and one that affects us all; the use of language in reporting what happens on our roads. GoBike member, Derek M, sent it in and here’s the link to the Guardian newspaper.

This is just one quote from the article:
There is excellent reporting out there – , but there is also less thoughtful output. For example, the majority (61%) of coverage of cyclists is broadly negative, focusing on road danger, criminality or bad behaviour, although studies have shown cyclists are generally far more law-abiding than motorists.

Do please read the article and put your thoughts in the short open-question survey.

It’s no doubt that it’s the use of pejorative language in the media that affects us all who cycle and could well be relevant in the recent suffering of GoBike member and ex-co-Convenor and Pedal on Parliament campaigner, Dave Brennan. See here for details from our sister organisation Cycling UK.

1.7 **NEW** The Scottish Government, Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland – Consultation on Phase 1 Proposals, closes 08 November

This consultation, advised to us by GoBike member, John, and Cycling UK Scotland, relates to cycle storage for houses, tenements and on-street – a topic close to many people’s hearts. It’s Section 7 of this document that relates to active travel and it’s easy to fill in the survey section – if you agree with the proposals. Do please support this relaxation in planning requirements.

1.8 Transport Scotland, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 – Draft public consultation, closes 01 December

This consultation first appeared in Digest 69, Item 1.13 and it’s certainly worth taking a look at the proposals. There’s quite a bit about improving road safety, but not a lot of detail about how it will be done. Indeed, training of motor drivers is outwith the current remit of the Scottish Government, but it is a move in the right direction.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None that we have been made aware of, but plenty of current ones to keep you busy and the hint of one in our very last item, 3.7, below, concerning road links from Ravenscraig to Motherwell.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow City Council, 01 October, confirmation of speed cushion installation on 6 schemes, Ladyloan Avenue, Muirhead Road, Gartocher Road, Maxwell Drive, Prospecthill Circus and Warriston Street

Yes, the most-used photo of the year, more speed cushions confirmed for these 6 streets. The proposals have been approved as we first published them in Digest 66 and Digest 67 with the exception of:

• Muirhead Road: Proposed set of speed cushions situated at number 27/29 will now be situated at number 31
• Warriston Street: Proposed set of speed cushions situated at number 154 will now be situated at number 162.

The amended information is shown on these drawings:

RS.20.58-Muirhead-Road-TC-proposals-Full-view-after-consultation
Warriston-Street-Full-view-of-proposals-after-consultation

Sadly, no information is given as to why residents do, or do not, want speed cushions outside their house!

3.2 Glasgow Science Centre, Planning Application, acknowledgement of GoBike response

The consultation to reroute the cycle route past the Science Centre featured as Item 1.5 in Digest 69 and here’s the letter of objection that GoBike submitted on 15 September. This letter was based on a much longer and much more detailed letter that GoBike member, Brenda, had written and the funny thing is that there are only 2 public comments on the planning application portal – one from Brenda and one from GoBike! Thus, if public comment counts for anything, this planning application will be rejected ….

Here’s the acknowledgement letter that was received on 02 October.

3.3 Multiplex University of Glasgow Campus Development – October 2020 Newsletter

Here’s the link to this month’s newsletter, received on 06 October.

3.4 City Deal Renfrewshire, Glasgow Airport Investment Area – traffic management works second phase

Here’s the update we received on 07 October:

Note that because of the nature of the works the bridge will be closed to people walking and cycling – it’s a popular route for cycling so do please be aware and plan your route accordingly.

3.5 Glasgow City Council, 08 October, confirmation of speed cushion installation on 2 schemes, Newlands Park and Greenfield Road Area

Here’s that photograph again confirming that we heard on 08 October that these 2 schemes will go ahead as proposed; details were first in Digest 66. Item 1.9 for Greenfield Road and Digest 67, Item 1.12 for the Newlands Park area. However we are informed that for the Newlands Park area “During the consultation process, it was highlighted by residents that they felt St Bride’s Road should be included within this scheme in order to avoid it becoming a potential rat run. I can advise that a standalone, formal consultation process will be undertaken for this location.” This demonstrates that the Council is listening to people who ask the right things!

3.6 North Lanarkshire – East Airdrie Link Road: Active Travel Stakeholder Group, report of 30 July meeting

In Digest 66, Item 3.3, was news of North Lanarkshire’s Active Travel Stakeholder Group and GoBike member, Derek Y, has now received minutes of the meeting of 30 July. There’s a lot of information included so if your leisure, work or general interest takes you into North Lanarkshire, do please have a look.

3.7 North Lanarkshire – City Deal funding approved for Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project

Here’s the latest, received on 08 October, from North Lanarkshire and the City Deal project that we have reported on before. Let’s hope that pressure builds for active travel in the area, with the current construction activity:

“Funding approved for Ravenscraig project

Investment of £61.9 million for the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access (RIA) project has been approved by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet.

We are matching this with £65.3 million over six years to create new and improved transport infrastructure connecting Ravenscraig north to the M8 and south to Motherwell and the M74. A total of £127.2 million is therefore being invested.

This includes:

• a new dual carriageway from the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility to Motherwell, crossing the west coast main line railway, with new provision for walking, cycling and wheeling throughout;
• a new roundabout with traffic signals at Airbles Road and Windmillhill Street, connecting to the dual carriageway;
• completion of the dualling of Airbles Road; and
• the dualling of the A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8.

The RIA is a key component part of the council’s Plan Lanarkshire Orbital Route, combined with investment currently underway at Motherwell Town Centre Interchange and the future East Airdrie Link Road, to create a transformational road and infrastructure travel spine through North Lanarkshire.

The Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Route will improve connectivity from Motherwell to Cumbernauld across a range of transport modes and support better movement between towns and communities. It will create an active travel highway for cyclists, runners and walkers to navigate safely across the area. These plans will impact positively on the environment and road safety locally, removing traffic congestion points in neighbouring communities, such as the A73 at Chapelhall, and helping to improve air quality.

Within  the Ravenscraig site itself, the RIA is one of a number of infrastructure projects the council is working to deliver, including a new seven hectare park which is currently under construction and, working with Sustrans, plans for new cycling and walking links to Craigneuk, Wishaw and New College Lanarkshire Motherwell campus.

The regeneration of the overall Ravenscraig site is a key element of the council’s vision for the area, which will see £3.5 billion invested over the next 10 years, creating around 12,000  jobs and generating an additional £1 billionfor the local economy.

“Despite the coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to invest in the future of North Lanarkshire, with a clear plan for economic growth,” said Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council.

“Ravenscraig is an important part of our long-term plan as it will bring new homes, schools, businesses, jobs and leisure facilities over the next 25 years. To achieve this, we must invest in new roads and active travel improvements, including cycle routes and public transport links – the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project will deliver that.

“Overall, the Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor will transform the way we use our transport network, encouraging healthy active travel options, creating new opportunities for development and digital infrastructure along the route, and creating potential for low carbon energy networks.

“With the funding from Glasgow City Region City Deal secured, we can now move forward with this exciting new project to transform derelict land into vibrant new communities for the people of North Lanarkshire.”

UK Government Minister Iain Stewart said: “I am pleased the regeneration and transformation of Ravenscraig has reached another milestone. This project is essential to the future prosperity of the region and is a fantastic example of how the Glasgow City Region Deal is improving transport links and developing communities. 

“The UK Government has now committed more than £1.5 billion to City Region and Growth Deals across Scotland, creating jobs, opportunities, and sustainable growth.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “The infrastructure created aims to meet the active travel needs of residents, alongside improving road infrastructure, to facilitate the regeneration of Ravenscraig and contribute to creating the environment for a healthy and vibrant community to thrive.

“The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Infrastructure Investment Fund. This is a significant development within the Glasgow City Region Deal, demonstrating once again how Scottish Government investment supports transformative projects such as this.”

The next stage in the RIA project will be submission of a planning application for the southern connections to Motherwell and the M74, which will include a public consultation.

_______________________________________________________________________________

An interesting collection of consultations and feedback, the good, the bad and the ugly – wonder what there will be next?

Our headline photo shows cycling on a temporary Covid 19 cycle lane in Berlin, Credit: Frank Masurat. Published under the unconditional Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal license.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Scottish Government — Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June
2. Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights, No deadline given
3. Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy, No deadline given
4. #SpaceForDistancing Campaign still needs your support.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing for you this time, sorry.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Scotland, Planning for Place – Webinar – 30th April – Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19,
2. North Lanarkshire Council, Hoiytown Link Road and City Deal update
3. Gartnavel, Glasgow, Sustrans and National Health Service, support for funding request
4. GoBike “meets” Glasgow Councillor, Anna Richardson, Chair of Sustainability and Carbon Reduction

Section 1: Current Consultations

Transform Scotland alerted us to these 3 consultations from Holyrood. They are all high-level but will inform the paths we take in the future. If any of you out there have views as to how GoBike should respond please either email consultations@gobike.org or, if you are a GoBike member, post your views on the Consultations channel on Slack

1.1 Scottish Government — Just Transition Commission, closes 30 June

The Just Transition Commission has opened a call for evidence, inviting written submissions to inform the development of their final recommendations to be presented to Ministers in January 2021.

The Just Transition Commission has been established to provide Scottish Ministers with recommendations 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

The deadline for responses is 30 June (extended from 28 May), and to respond please visit the Scottish Government website.

1.2 Scottish Parliament EHRi Committee, Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights, No deadline given

Deadline 07 June 2020

The Scottish Parliament Equalities and Human Rights Committee have launched a call for views on the Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights.

There is no deadline given. You can submit your response on the Scottish Parliament website.

GoBike note: the above has been copied direct from the Transform Scotland notification and the lack of a deadline is repeated on the parliamentary website, to give people and organisations time to consider and respond. However, it’s best, as it normally is with most things, to respond as soon as possible. There’s no doubt that Covid 19 is having a disproportionate effect on the poor and disadvantaged in society – the very ones who could benefit from the current decrease in pollution and an increase in walking and cycling.

1.3 Scottish Parliament, EEFW Committee, COVID-19 – impact on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy, No deadline given

Deadline 01 June 2020

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee launched a call for evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s businesses, workers and economy.

The information collected will be used to look at the support being offered to businesses and workers aimed at mitigating the impact of the virus.

The deadline for responses has not been set. To respond please visit the Scottish Parliament website.

Again, the link to the Scottish Parliament website does not give a deadline, but does say this: ” Please contact the Committee if you wish to share your views.  There is no set timescale for this; please get in touch when it suits you and if you wish.” We think our friends in Transform Scotland are being cautious by advising fairly prompt responses.

1.4 #SpaceForDistancing Campaign still needs your support.

Edinburgh City Council outlined this week the spaces on which they plan to implement Space for Distancing measures and they are a plenty! Take a look for yourself here.  Glasgow City Council have already closed off Kelvin Way and have promised more to come, along the Broomielaw and Clyde Street in the first instance, and some press reports have also mentioned Byres Road, Partick, Dennistoun, Shawlands, Maryhill, Pollok, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Castlemilk as places where temporary measures can be introduced. We hope that these can be implemented with urgency and will continue to keep a close eye on the developments. 

Bordering councils to GCC such as East Renfrewshire Council have made positive noises in support, suggesting they will be applying for the Sustrans Spaces for People fund, but we have yet to see any concrete plans. So we really need you, particularly if you live there or in any other council bordering into Glasgow, to continue to show your support for this by writing to your councillors. Do also keep the support up in Glasgow itself to ensure that we do start to see the promises on the ground soon. We need measures put in place quickly before car use, already obviously on the rise, tips again towards horribly polluting congestion. Pedal on Parliament, who spearheaded the #SpaceForDistancing campaign have a useful council active travel contact list up here .

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

We are not aware of imminent consultations but please, please, do ensure that during your permitted exercise cycle rides you are building up an encyclopaedic knowledge of where improvements are needed to our cycling infrastructure.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Scotland, Planning for Place – Webinar – 30th April – Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19

Two weeks ago, in Digest 59, Item 2.1 we informed you of a webinar on this topic. GoBike members listened in, either directly as GoBike, or on behalf of Pedal on Parliament, their Community Council or other political or cycle interest. Here’s the follow-up email that GoBike received on 01 May:

“You are receiving this email as you were signed up to the “Reallocating Space for Walking, Cycling and Wheeling during COVID-19” webinar on the 30^th of April 2020.

Dear attendees,

A huge thank you to all who attended the Improvement Service webinar on “Reallocating Space for Walking, Cycling and Wheeling during COVID-19”. For those unable to join the session, please accept our apologies. We surged over the 500 attendee capacity and we will be better prepared next time!

As promised, you can now access a recording of the session https://youtu.be/_IRERSYyZ4I (YouTube)and a full (automated) transcript hosted here on the Knowledge Hub. (Word file).

The remarkable interest levels in this session suggest a significant desire to enable safer distances for everyone and to find out more about the contribution of the “Spaces for People” initiative that SUSTRANS will facilitate.

We hope we achieved our aim to provide more clarity on the wide ranging impact of having safer space for social distancing during this pandemic. From reducing inequalities for our key workers to assisting our businesses to attract safe custom we heard a clear message of the need to move quickly to do our part in resolving a public health issue that will intensify as lock down relaxes.

During the session reference was made to the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS). For illuminating insight we recommend this short blog (pdf) from their National Convenor. Thank you Linda, a beautifully put message.

And, while we hate to put them at the end, we could not have achieved any of this without our thought provoking, inspired speakers (in order of appearance):

• Daisy Narayanan, Director of Urbanism, SUSTRANS
• Cllr Anna Richardson, City Convenor for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, Glasgow City Council
• Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convenor, City of Edinburgh Council

We ended acknowledging that many more topics and issues lie ahead as we all deal with the short, medium and long term impact of COVID-19. If you would like to be informed about these then please sign up to our newly formed mailing list via this Mailchimp form.

Thank you again and go safely.

Irene Beautyman
Planning for Place Programme Lead
Improvement Service”

3.2 North Lanarkshire Council, Hoiytown Link Road and City Deal update

Hot on the heels of Item 1.2 in Digest 59, calling for views on the proposed new link road in Airdrie, comes this message from North Lanarkshire, received on 28 April:

“Holytown Link Road update

Following a review of the projects being developed in North Lanarkshire as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, we have agreed an updated programme of work.

The key priority for the council is to provide major road infrastructure to support the redevelopment of Ravenscraig, as this is a nationally important development site. 

As a result of this, the Holytown link road and other projects will not be delivered through City Deal funding.

This important change allows us to focus on delivering the Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor, which will create new and improved access into Ravenscraig and help achieve the best economic, social and environmental benefits possible for the whole of North Lanarkshire.

The overall North Lanarkshire City Deal investment has increased from £172.5 million to £202 million.

If you want more information on our ambitious plans for the area, please go to our City Deal web pages.“

It’s incredibly disappointing that, while Glasgow and other local authorities are proposing increased space for walking and cycling, a neighbouring local authority only has roads and more roads on its agenda. If you live in North Lanarkshire do please contact your local councillors to let them know that you need more space for cycling and walking – at a safe distance from others.

3.3 Gartnavel, Glasgow, Sustrans and National Health Service, support for funding request

In Digest 50, Item 3.14, back in December 2019 in the days when consultations were being carried out, we reported on a meeting that GoBike member, Caroline, had been to at Gartnavel. Sustrans, in conjunction with the NHS, are looking to improve active travel within the area that houses three hospitals:

1. Gartnavel General Hospital, a 500+ inpatient hospital that covers a range of healthcare specialities.

2. Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Scotland’s largest cancer centre providing cancer services for 60% of the population.

3. Gartnavel Royal Hospital, a 117-bed mental health hospital.

GoBike was contacted on 06 May, with this email (edited) looking for support for a funding request to progress active travel changes:

“Hello Go Bike team, 

I am working on submitting an application for funding for a feasibility study on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, that would explore ways to improve access on and through Gartnavel Hospital site. The site could be a strategic link in Glasgow West End active travel network. 
I am hoping to get a letter of support from Go Bike before the 15th May, which I realise isn’t far away!  
We are really keen to have Go Bike in the stakeholder group as the project moves forward. We also have SPT, Scotrail and Sustrans​ supporting us along with NHS staff from both Estates and Public Health, so there is a huge opportunity for collaboration. 
I have attached a draft copy of the strategic vision as well as a map.

Looking forward to hearing from you and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information. 

Kind regards,
Mathilda. 
Mathilda Heyman Senior Active Travel Infrastructure Officer (Sustrans) Embedded within NHS National Services Scotland“

Here are the 2 documents referred to: Strategic Vision and Map

GoBike returned this letter of support on 09 May, albeit tempered with concern that the surrounding roads are far from cycle-friendly. It is really about time that the NHS started looking at active and public transport as realistic options for everyone, except the very ill or disabled who attends NHS facilities.

And here’s the email reply, which arrived yesterday morning, 11 May:

“Hi Tricia,

Thank you for getting back to me. This is fantastic, we’re delighted to have your support on this.

I’ll keep you informed on progress and next steps.

Many thanks,

Mathilda. “

3.4 GoBike “meets” Glasgow Councillor, Anna Richardson, Chair of Sustainability and Carbon Reduction

GoBike’s two Co-Convenors, Thomas and John, had a virtual meeting with Glasgow City Councillor Anna Richardson last Tuesday, 05 May, to discuss short term measures to provide for increased cycling in the city. Here’s a brief summary of the discussion:

Temporary Infrastructure

• Councillor Richardson has a greatly reduced team/capacity, for variety of reasons.
• As a result everyone is focusing on the temporary measures and submitting a proposal to get funding from the £10 million government fund that was recently announced for active travel social distancing.
• Without the funding these can not go ahead.
• The City Council is not looking at using things they already have, such as planters, nor are they currently looking at permeability.  This would seem to be in part due to the reduced team and the way they have to work, ie remotely.
• Clyde Street/Broomielaw will be done without this funding, however adjacent to the casino is the cause for the delay and making the junction safe.
• These will be temporary measures using powers which can be in place for 3 weeks, with a 3 week renewal, after which they will need to see what other mechanisms they can use.
• They are using emergency measures, therefore they need to be able to justify as an emergency and are Public Health related.
• As a result most will be mainly short sections near busy areas such as shops and mixed use paths with heavy use.  Cllr Richardson was clear they are not looking at a network.  However, they are looking at key routes, in particular to shops.

SEC Path, National Cycle Route 75

The council have no influence over the fence that has been installed adjacent to NCR 75 beside the SEC.  This land has been taken over by the Scottish Government/NHS for the Loiusa Jordan Hospital.  Cllr Richardson cycled along it at the weekend and agrees it is less than ideal.  She is going to discuss with her team about putting in measures along Stobcross Road.

Issues Raised by GoBike

• GoBike raised a number of issues.  Cllr Richardson was clear that there is limited work being done on the roads at this time.  Only emergency work.
• There is no work being done on existing schemes as the team are all working on the bid and temporary measures.
• Therefore “usual” topics weren’t discussed and will come back to these once the team have capacity.
• Cllr Richardson was clear that the projects that are good to go are still good to go and as soon as work can start it will.  It may result in some schemes being delivered quicker as there will be a wider desire from local communities.

New Cyclists/New Members

• Cllr Richardson asked a good question “what are we doing to get all these new ‘cyclists’ as members?”
• “These new cyclists are going to get a shock when cars come back”.  It would be beneficial to harness these people for campaigning in the future.
• Thus, if you are reading this and agree, please join GoBike as a member if you haven’t already and ask all your family, friends and anyone you contact who cycles, to join GoBike.

_______________________________

So not too much for you this time, giving you more time to clean your bike and get out on it. Do remember, though, to write to your councillors as we urged you to in our blog of 08 May, Implementing Temporary Cycle Facilities.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.3 East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan, closes 13 December

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

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

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

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

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

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

will be submitted before the end of the week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

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

Further to my consultation email of 21^st October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 27^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Subject: STPR2 – Online Survey

Hi,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Go-Bike,

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

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

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

I trust this information is of assistance.

Kind Regards.”

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

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

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 GoBike meets Glasgow City Council, 13 December

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

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

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

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

Do try and get along there if you can.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Ms Fort

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

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

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

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

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

I trust this of assistance.
Yours sincerely,” etc

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

The themed ride this December will take an anti-clockwise tour around the northern side of Glasgow to see some of the many fine buildings and parks around the city, as well as visiting some viewpoints. We will pass railway stations, universities, hospitals and glasshouses, some older, some newer, and end up at Kelvingrove in time for lunch.
20 miles, including some short climbs.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
   
Should be a good one. For more information on GoBike rides, see the Rides page on the website.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

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

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

Further to my consultation email of 4^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads Neighbourhoods and Sustainability or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Ms Fort,

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

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

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

Yours sincerely” etc

Note the intention to “provide cycle measures”!

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

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

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

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

Dear Sir/Madam

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

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report. Additional corner protection has been added to the initial draft order at Millersneuk Crescent to ensure safe access for the local community.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Group Manager, Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

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

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Projects Manager, Project Management and Design, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, 231 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 3^rd January 2020.
Yours faithfully” etc

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Scottish Government, Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

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

“Hi campaigners and supporters

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

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

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

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

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

Regards

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services“

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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