With the elections coming consultations have once again dried up. Like me, you might be grateful because its been a busy couple of months of writing responses. One left – the STPR2 consultation which closes on the 15th April.

Section 1: Current Consultations

(in date order for responses)

1.1: Transport Scotland – Strategic Transport Projects Review – STPR2

There’s only a few days left to respond to this important consultation. The format is mainly drop down menu style with extra space for comments about the recommended projects in each section.

STPR2 is a shortlist of transport infrastructure projects for delivery over the next 20 years which will help Scotland to decarbonise transport as well as other objectives. This is positive and a change from the first STPR which was notable for locking in high carbon infrastructure such as motorway building and the Queensferry Bridge.

However, STPR2 still has big projects – creating a network of cycle lanes is a big job – but different in that they will be delivered by multiple actors.

I have produced a guide (below) for Cycling UK, to help people respond to the consultation – anyone is welcome to use this. Read more background in the associated STPR2 blog post.

The guide provide guidance on how to answer questions dealing with the recommendations that can benefit cycling, such as:

• Active Freeway & Cycle Parking Hubs
• Rural cycling connections
• 20 minute neighbourhoods
• Behaviour change projects
• Access to bikes
• Cycling to school
• 20mph zones
• Speed limits review

The guide doesn’t advise on the rights or wrongs of other projects such as the Glasgow Metro system!

Closes 15 April 2022

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Transport Scotland is developing a new Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel which is the follow up to the Cycling Action Plan. This will be very important for driving forward action on cycling so will be a highlight of a future digest.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

None this month

Section 4: Election Actions Special

There are lots of way to get involved ahead of the election on 5 May. Below are a few of the actions you can take via active travel campaign partners. Sorry if I have missed any.

4.1: Cycling UK in Scotland – Scotland local election e-action

Cycling UK are calling for cycling revolutions in local communities across Scotland to enable more people to cycle for pleasure and short local journeys, in attractive and safe urban and rural spaces.

Councils must make this happen by spending the record levels of funding now available for cycling, walking and wheeling on high-quality cycle routes and other projects which make neighbourhoods better for people.

Election webpage – for more information
Manifesto – 10 things councils must do
Petition – how you can join in calling for action – please sign.

Cycling UK also has a new Election 2022 toolkit for cycle campaigners.

4.2 Pedal on Parliament

Join thousands of others on Saturday 23 April in Edinburgh for a 10-year anniversary Pedal on Parliament. More information about the ride, which starts at 1pm, is at pedalonparliament.org

4.3 Walk Wheel Cycle Vote

WWCV focusses on accessibility in active travel infrastructure and public spaces. See the WWCV website to contact your candidates. Also use your social media accounts to post photos of good infrastructure near you and use the hashtag #MoreOfThisPlease.

4.4 Ramblers Scotland

Ramblers Scotland’s election page has five things you can do ahead of the election.

4.5 Living Streets

Take action where you live.

I’m aching for spring and some better weather to enjoy. Maybe this hopefulness has put me in an optimistic mood but I do feel as though the winds of change are starting to build and blow through Scotland’s policy landscape to create the conditions needed for cycling to thrive.

The bureaucracy of government works slowly but if all the strategies below are strongly implemented it would move Scotland a long way towards transformatory change. What’s needed now – in parallel – is for Local Authorities to step up, be bold and deliver the change at the local level – for people, communities and cycling.

At Cycling UK we have launched a local elections campaign manifesto and are urging councils and politicians to make local cycling revolutions happen across Scotland. See item 1.5 for more information but please do support our campaign by signing our campaign e-action.

New in this month’s digest:

• ideas for responding to the Spending Review consultation (item 1.1)
• NPF4 consultation events (item 1.2)
• a new guide from Friends of the Earth Scotland on responding to the 20% Car km reduction route map (item 1.3)
• a new guide from Cycling UK in Scotland (for download below) on responding to the STPR2 consultation (item 1.4)

Section 1: Current Consultations

(in date order for responses)

1.1: Scottish Government – Investing in Scotland’s Future: Resource Spending Review Framework

The recent budget announcement of £150m for active travel is a substantial increase although it was below what was hoped for. Therefore, we need to argue for a big boost to funding in the next budget at the end of this year – £235m would be appropriate in order to get Scotland on a straight line trajectory to £320m in 2024/25.

Beyond this we need to call for ongoing increased investment in active travel to 20% of the transport budget, as Walk Wheel Cycle Vote called for at the last election. We don’t want funding to plateau at £320m – we need to argue for growth to continue.

In addition, we need multi-year funding settlements for cycling projects and initiatives so that there can be security to meet long-term objectives.

The Spending Review does not go into the detail of budgets and spend but concentrates more on the principles of future spending. I recommend using Q4 to outline the need for the above investment in active travel and that this spending will meet the principles/objectives to/for;

• ‘Empower individuals and communities’
• ‘Prevent negative outcomes from arising’
• ‘Prevention: we will consider options to redirect funding towards demonstrable preventative approaches.’

Finally, for Q4 there is also the opportunity to call for more policies which financially affect drivers as a way to disincentivise car use. The workplace parking levy, Low Emission Zones, parking charges and road-user charging (road pricing) can all add cost to driving and meet the Spending Review’s consideration of using ‘Targeted revenue raising’.

Closes 27 March 2022

1.2: Scottish Government – Draft National Planning Framework 4

The NPF4 is a major document setting out the direction for national planning policy and national developments for the next decades. The fourth NPF is focussed on meeting the net-zero target and supporting the nature restoration and recovery – good progress from NPF3.

Overall its a positive document aiming to drive planning and national developments towards addressing the climate emergency.

The big news for cycling is the inclusion of a National Cycling, Walking and Wheeling Network as a National Development, important because this designation as a national development gives it high status. There’s also more detail on creating 20 minute neighbourhoods.

Also relevant to Glasgow is a ‘Clyde Mission’ national development. However, there’s not a great deal of detail on these proposed policies.

NPF4 Consultation Events
Registration is now open for Draft NPF4 online events during February and March, facilitated by Kevin Murray Associates (KMA) and PAS. The purpose of the informal, interactive sessions is to raise awareness and share views about the Draft NPF4, in order to inform and support the preparation of responses to the consultation, which closes on 31 March 2022.

Places are available on a first come, first served basis. If you want to booking a place please e-mail scotplan@gov.scot.

Each session will focus on a specific action area, or policy theme from
Draft NPF4:

Action area discussion – sessions remaining:
Tues 1 March, 12.30–2pm – Central Urban Transformation
Tues 8 March, 4.30–6pm – North and West Coastal Innovation

Policy themed discussions – sessions remaining:
Thurs 3 March, 4.30–6pm – Distinctive Places
Thurs 10 March, 4.30–6pm – Sustainable Place

Closes 31 March 2022

1.3: Transport Scotland – 20% Reduction in Car Km Route Map 

Since last month’s digest I want to highlight the new guide produced by Friends of the Earth Scotland to help you respond to this consultation.

The Route Map has been published setting out Government’s plans to achieve the target from the updated Climate Change Plan which committed Scotland to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

Its a first time in the UK that a government has targeted demand management in this way. Wales has set up a review of its road building programme in light of the Climate Emergency – many argue that Transport Scotland should also put a halt to road building, such as increasing capacity on the A9 and A96.

The Route Map includes more than 30 interventions aiming to achieve the target but all of these are recycled policies – there’s nothing new.

In my blog post for Cycling UK I also argue that there need to be more ‘sticks’ to directly disincentivise driving. There are lots of positive ‘carrots’ providing alternatives to driving but they all need developing. There also analysis in this twitter thread.

Closes 6 April 2022

1.4: Transport Scotland – Strategic Transport Projects Review – STPR2

STPR2 is a shortlist of transport infrastructure projects for delivery over the next 20 years which will help Scotland to decarbonise transport as well as other objectives. This is positive and a change from the first STPR which was notable for locking in high carbon infrastructure such as motorway building and the Queensferry Bridge.

However, STPR2 still has big projects – creating a network of cycle lanes is a big job – but different in that they will be delivered by multiple actors.

Closes 15 April 2022

1.5: Cycling UK in Scotland – Scotland local election e-action

Cycling UK are calling for cycling revolutions in local communities across Scotland to enable more people to cycle for pleasure and short local journeys, in attractive and safe urban and rural spaces.

Councils must make this happen by spending the record levels of funding now available for cycling, walking and wheeling on high-quality cycle routes and other projects which make neighbourhoods better for people.

Election webpage – for more information
Manifesto – 10 things councils must do
Petition – how you can join in calling for action – please sign.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Transport Scotland is developing a new Cycling Framework and Delivery Plan for Active Travel which is the follow up to the Cycling Action Plan. This will be very important for driving forward action on cycling so will be a highlight of a future digest.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

None this month

COP26 – How you can raise your voice for cycling and climate change

You won’t have missed that COP26 is coming to town next week, complete with world leaders, cycle lane closures, dodgy diversions and huge demonstrations. There are many ways you can get involved to call for action – a few of these are highlighted below.

Find out more about cycling, climate action and COP26 on the Cycling UK COP26 webpages

Pedal on COP26 – 6 November – Pedal on Parliament have been doing immense work to organise and coordinate action for COP26 – see the PoP website for more details.

• Be part of the Cycling Bloc (sustainable transport) at the mass march on 6 November
• Join a feeder ride to the march – there are 7 rides starting from various locations around Glasgow bringing riders to Kelvingrove Park.

Petitions and online actions – take a simple online action to speak up for the climate

• Cycling UK – social media action – This online action enables you to send a message to your MSPs via twitter telling them that #ThisMachineFightsClimateChange. If you don’t have twitter there’s a guide to spreading the message via other social media.
• Climate Scotland – petition – An online action organised by a coalition of charities with a focus on the impacts of climate change on Scotland’s natural environment.  In the signing process, you can select a topic and say why this matters to you. For example, for many cyclists experiencing the beautiful countryside on a bike is important for mental as well as physical health. Select ‘Beautiful places’ to make this, or a similar point.
• OXFAM – petition – Ask the Prime Minister to take decisive action on climate change.

Events – So many events are happening during the 2 weeks of COP26

• COP26 Cycling Forum – Monday November 1st, 2-4pm, Gartnavel Hospital grounds – This rally will bring together people who have cycled to COP26 and cycling advocates in Glasgow and globally, amplifying voices and celebrating the potential of cycling as a climate solution. Register here for this event
• Climate Fringe – Find events to interest you led by civil society for civil society.
• People’s Summit – 7-10 November – a huge range of events on offer

Cycling by Design

Transport Scotland has published its long awaited Cycling by Design design guidance update. They don’t have a consultation on the published guidance but rather is welcoming feedback on the content of the document via e-mail to cyclingbydesign@transport.gov.scot

Government says this new document will be ‘updated regularly to take account of project experience and changes to the legal or design environment’ so its worth providing feedback based on your real-life experience of good and bad cycling infrastructure designs.

Cycling by Design is a long document and rightly includes invaluable technical guidance for designers and planners.

My analysis and thoughts below are intended to be a guide to the Cycling by Design (CbD) document and a look at the bigger picture, the themes and the use of the document rather than an attempt to assess whether all the design details are to the standard we would like to see. That’s a lengthy piece of work and we will be looking at this at Cycling UK so that we can provide feedback to Transport Scotland and provide support to campaigners.

Clarity of guidance and use of images are excellent in CbD. There’s good imagery showing the wide variety of cycles that should be designed for, and this does pervade the document in the design images.

Key messages for designers – There is an excellent summary on page 9 which condenses the guidance down to 12 key messages explaining how designers should approach the application of CbD. Unfortunately, the rest of the document doesn’t always fully reflect the same high level of expectation as contained in the key messages.

Application of the guidance – Throughout the document there are tables showing 3 levels of delivery in certain situation or applying to specific design factors (high, med and low). Transport Scotland wants designers to go for the high level. The High, Medium and Low Level of Service categories are similar approach to level of service in England’s LTN 1/20 which uses Green, Amber, Red categorisation. However, LTN 1/20 also has a “Critical” level below Red (Low level of service) which can be considered as “this is really bad do not do it”. CbD needs a similar ‘DO NOT DO THIS’ level, as there are many designs on our streets which are plainly dangerous.

Planning for Cycle Users – This section, from page 13, is good at explaining that cyclists are a varied bunch and can have differing capabilities – plus they have different needs to both motorists and pedestrians.

Assess demand for infrastructure comes under section 2.5 on the planning and delivery process. My concern is that guidance explaining the need to ‘estimate future travel patterns’ and that ‘data sources may not reflect the full potential for cycle user trips’ doesn’t convey the same weight as Key Message No. 1 on p9 which says ‘We must plan and design for mass cycling’. Using current estimates is unlikely to deliver the infrastructure we so desperately need for mass cycling.

Network planning – The section shows that our current active travel network plans at the local authority level are not up to scratch. One of the Principles on p21 is ‘coherence’ and is further described on page 30. However, without a proper network plan for each LA you can’t meet the design guidance standards. It shows an urgent need for a proper Scotland-wide network plan of dense urban networks, cycle lanes along major arterial routes and links between towns and cities.

Provision of appropriate facilities on p49 is a really good summary as to why it’s important to provide protection, separation and to enhance places. Cycling interaction with pedestrians is covered on page 53, and there’s a general ongoing principle of keeping cyclists and pedestrians apart wherever possible. This could be clearer and more up-front, especially the interaction with disabled people. The section on access control rightly explains the need to not include barriers which stop people in wheelchairs or adaptive cycles from accessing safe infrastructure.

Maintenance – A section about the maintenance of cycling infrastructure appears at the end of the section about cycle lanes. Maintenance and planning for maintenance and upkeep, e.g. snowploughing in winter, should be integral to design and delivery. I would like to see this promoted in the document and made more prominent under section 2 – Planning for Cycle Users.

Crossings and junctions – There are lengthy sections of geometric guidance for all types of cycle links, design guidance on crossings and on junctions. Some of these, especially, junctions will take some getting used to by cyclists and drivers.

There is a helpful section on trip end facilities, including guidance for cycle parking, bike hangars etc, as well as info on links with public transport.

Finally, there’s not much reference to the Sustainable Travel Hierarchy in the guidance. Designers and planners need to understand that this should impact on the investment and design decisions – i.e. cycling isn’t just an add on. This problem is compounded by this guidance only being focussed on cycling infrastructure rather than a holistic and all encompassing design guidance for our roads, new build developments and community spaces.

Summary of concerns

• The good emphasis on high levels of service in the introductory sections needs to be maintained throughout the document but the guidance also needs to be clear on what designs are unacceptable under any circumstances.
• The process for review of the designs needs greater clarity, especially how this differs in each circumstance. For example, Sustrans may be strict in reviewing Places for Everyone bid designs but councils may be less stringent in designs for new developments.
• There’s an urgent need for professional training for planners, designers, developers, those assessing designs, LA staff and others inc. Highway Safety Auditors, to apply the guidance appropriately, especially with current inadequate network planning in many places (see next point).
• Network planning needs to catch up with the improved design guidance and MUST aim for mass cycling, rather than current estimates of future need.
• The guidance stands alone as cycling guidance and apart from references to other guidance isn’t fully integrated with other design guidance and could lead to issues, such as problems for disabled people, being missed.

Glasgow City Council has announced its consultation on all the city’s Spaces for People projects. So, the post-election lull is probably over now.

East Renfrewshire also have a Spaces for People consultation. East Dumbartonshire have a few on the go and North Lanarkshire have a roundabout design that makes Canniesburn Toll look good.

Infrastructure Update

• Garscube Rd gets rain gardens on the way to Firhill St (as part of Connecting Woodside).
• George Square’s benches and planters have been reinstated after being wrecked by rogue Rangers fans on the last weekend of the season.
• Wallacewell Avenue lanes have ‘zebra’ dividers but with some gaps.
• University Hospital Wishaw’s cycle repair stand appeared on NHS Lanarkshire’s website. There’s a similar repair stand at UH Hairmyres – both installed in recent months.

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. North Lanarkshire Council – Planning application for Ravenscraig link road/roundabout (closes 31 May)
2. East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll Signalisation Study (by end of May)
3. Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People survey
4. East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Rd, Giffnock Spaces for People project
5. Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order, (ends 18 June)
6. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (28 Sept)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – Byres Rd (20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order
2. Active Travel Academy – Media guidelines for reporting road collisions
3. East Dunbartonshire Council – LDP newsletter

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

1.1: North Lanarkshire Council – Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access (South) planning application

Last covered in Digest 75, Item 1.2 (when it seemed to be RAI, now RIA). This planning application is part of a City Deal programme to link the M74 and M8 using a dual carriageway right through the middle of Motherwell. This southern section will widen Airbles Rd, add a massive signalised roundabout and an ‘underbridge’ to cross the railway into the Ravenscraig site. Despite most of the site being empty, no segregated cycleway is proposed there, just a shared footway.

The gigantic 100m footprint of the roundabout could easily have included a segregated cycleway but hasn’t. The angle of staggered crossings on most arms of the roundabout show that pedestrians are expected to make long detours. It will create a black hole for active travel in this part of Motherwell for decades to come. The Canniesburn Toll plans (below) look enlightened by comparison.

GoBike will be objecting to the scale of the roundabout and the lack of segregated cycling provision throughout. If you ever cycle around North Lanarkshire please consider doing the same. See the planning application (look for ‘Windmillhill street junction nmu provision’ and plan documents). Closing date is Bank Holiday Monday 31 May.

1.2: East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll Signalisation Study

As covered last time in Digest 86, Item 1.3, this major junction overhaul near Bearsden does at least include options for a cycle path. However, one option has a serious ‘left hook’ risk and the other involves waiting at several staggered crossings.

Alternative options suggested by experts online, included Edmonton Green roundabout, Enfield, North London (via Ranty Highwayman on Twitter). Or letting pedestrians and cyclists cross into the middle of roundabout (Show Me A Sign, also on Twitter).

See EDC’s overview and their options/survey. The blurb says they’ll do detailed design “Spring/Summer 2021” so don’t hang about.

1.3: Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People survey

In the last Digest we thought we might get a consultation about the temporary Spaces for People ‘pop-up lanes’ in Pollok. Instead, we got a consultation about every SfP project in the city.

There is a wide range of projects from ‘soft segregated’ lanes and widened footways to attempts at Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (now ‘People Friendly Streets’). GCC has split these into headings like ‘City Centre‘, ‘Neighbourhoods‘, ‘School Car Free Zones‘ and ‘Pop-up Cycle Lanes‘

It goes without saying we want as much of the temporary infrastructure to be made permanent as possible. So, it’s important there’s a good response to the survey. Each SfP measure has its own multiple choice question (and space to comment) so it’s easier to fill in than many council consultations.

See GCC’s overview and the GCC SfP survey. Blurb says an “independent review will take place in the summer” so we might not have that long to respond.

1.4: East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Rd, Giffnock Spaces for People project

Another Spaces for People consultation but for Giffnock instead of Glasgow. This is focused on one place – Davieland Rd next to Rouken Glen Park. The project aims to deal with road safety and accessibility issues from bad parking to speeding.

The proposals would create an uphill cycle lane (with ‘light segregation’) and remove the centre line of the road. It would add bollards and a buffer strip for parking on the downhill side of the road. It means cycling downhill with traffic – easier than uphill but it may not appeal to less confident cyclists (who may prefer the park).

See ERC’s Davieland Rd survey – no closing date is mentioned.

1.5: Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order

As covered in the last Digest (86, 1.1) but not very well according to some comments. The council’s drawing for the TRO caused a lot of confusion as it missed out the accompanying pedestrian crossings. These had already appeared in the Connecting Woodside consultation, which this junction was part of. It would have made sense to include them.

That was why the TRO wanted to ban cyclists turning from the crossing onto Maryhill Rd (as pedestrians could also be crossing at the same time). However, GoBike still doesn’t agree with the ban. Similar layouts seem to be used on other Connecting Woodside junctions on Garscube Rd so the principle may apply there too. As for how it will work in practice, that very much remains to be seen.

The usual documents are at the link above. Deadline for responses is Friday, 18 June 2021.

1.6: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion

This just made it into Digest 86, 1.2. Your editor rashly said we’d have more discussion about it but it doesn’t look like it will be this time around. The consultation is on for months so there’s plenty of time before it feeds into an Active Travel Strategy later in the year.

Upcoming events in the next few days cover Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Bishopbriggs and Torrance. See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. EDC have an online map to gather suggestions – deadline is 28 September.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council – Byres Road (20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order

This order was proposed way back in late 2019 (first mentioned in a Consultation Extra). GoBike expressed full support for it in early 2020. The council recently replied to acknowledge our support. GCC said: “This TRO will implement the correct signage as well as 20mph roundels marked on the carriageway at regular intervals, making the order fully enforceable.”

They also gave a brief update about the other two TROs: “the Byres Road and Hillhead Traffic Regulation Orders, …are still under review and will be responded to in due course.” Hillhead TRO is about parking controls and the Byres Rd TRO is about the segregated cycleways on Byres Rd (and Church St).

3.2: Active Travel Academy – Reporting collisions and road deaths guidelines

This item was first covered back in Digest 71, Item 1.3. The way collisions are reported often makes us feel let down by the media. A project set out to do something about that in October 2020. CUK have come back with an article about the results. Journalist Laura Laker and the Active Travel Academy/University of Westminster have produced Media guidelines for reporting road collisions (PDF). These are long overdue and to be welcomed.

3.3: East Dunbartonshire Council – Local Developnment Plan newsletter

The last word to EDC on their LDP. Their latest LDP newsletter is available from their website. Just because the consultation ended in January doesn’t mean we stop hearing about it. It’s going to committee on 27 May then might go to the Scottish Parliament. Feel free to skip the article on their Active Travel Discussion.

Section 1: Current Consultations

(in date order for responses)

1.1: Scottish Government – draft Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP)

Government is consulting on a new 5-year Infrastructure Investment Plan to 2025/26. It’s very different in style from the current plan which was all about big projects and city connections, including the Queensferry Bridge, A9 dualling and M8/M73/M74 works.

This time Government has decided to tell a different story – one about grouping their infrastructure projects around themes of reducing emissions, inclusive economic growth, and building resilient and sustainable places. The story may sound different but many of the words are still the same! Plans remain for huge road infrastructure projects, totally incompatible with a climate emergency. These will lock in high carbon construction work and travel choices for decades to come. Government needs to realise that its new investment hierarchy needs to be used to reset existing plans not just influence future ones.

The IIP also includes no change to the government’s Programme for Government commitment for £100m for active travel over the next 5 years. As I wrote in a Cycling UK blog, this will in reality be a real terms cut in funding over the period, and, with changes to council match funding requirements, would see less spending on walking and cycling overall.

Transform Scotland has provided an excellent analysis of the IIP, and I recommend that anyone wanting to respond to the consultation looks at their presentation first. But hurry, only a few days left….

Closes 19 November 2020

1.2: Transport Scotland – Road Safety Framework

The new Road Safety Framework consultation to 2030 proposes that Scotland should have the best road safety record in the world by 2030 and a ‘Vision Zero’ for 2050. I wrote more detail about this consultation in my introductory blog last week and provided a link to a Cycling UK in Scotland guide to the consultation.

Closes 1 December 2020

1.3: *NEW* Transport Scotland – Free Bus Travel for under 19s

This is a short consultation asking if concessionary bus fares should be extended for people resident in Scotland aged under 19. This is a good move at a national level and perhaps a start towards localised free bus travel for everyone which could be transformatory for our streets and reduce transport poverty. See the Free Our City campaign from our sister group, Get Glasgow Moving.

Closes 7 December 2020

1.4: *NEW* Scottish Government – Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland

Consultation on a draft new air quality strategy for Scotland, taking into account the recommendations arising from the independent review of the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy.

Closes 22 January 2021

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1: Scottish Government – Permitted Development Rights (phase 2)

The first phase of the Scottish Government’s consultation on Permitted Development Rights closed this week. The big thing in that for active travel was the proposal to allow permitted development rights to cover cycle storage sheds in front gardens, back courts of flats, on the streets (cycle hangers), etc. Phase 2 of the consultation is due in the new year and will cover permitted development rights for e-bike charging points.

2.2: Scottish Parliament – Revised Climate Change Plan

We expect the Scottish Government to lay its revised Climate Change Plan in the Scottish Parliament in early December. Parliament’s Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee are then likely to coordinate the hearing of evidence on the revised plan. This parliamentary procedure will need to be squeezed in before Parliament is dissolved at the end of March for the election.

The revised Climate Change Plan will not be a full revision of the current plan but, instead, provide extra policies designed to achieve strengthened targets. Transport is the sector contributing the most emissions of any sector in Scotland and has not cut its emissions in 30 years. Policies are desperately needed to reduce private vehicle us, boost public transport and of course encourage more people to take short everyday journeys by foot or cycle.

2.3: Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

It has been difficult to keep up to speed with progress of the Scottish Government’s STPR2 through 2020 because of Covid disrupting the timetable. The new year is likely to see more work and potentially further consultation on the options – watch this space. See here for more information and links to previous documents.

More to come in December!

To spread the consultation workload in GoBike I have agreed to compile a monthly national consultation digest – it’s pretty much my day job so why not! It will feature consultations from Transport Scotland but also I will use it to highlight relevant national consultations from other parts of the Scottish Government, or from the UK Government, such as the recent Highway Code consultation.

I’m planning to publish the national consultation digests on the 2^nd Friday of each month – so the first one will be November’s digest on Fri 13^th. The usual GoBike consultation digests will continue on a two-weekly basis but will focus only on Glasgow, the surrounding Local Authorities and local issues.

As with digests in the past I will do my best to cover everything relevant and provide helpful priority points. You might not always agree with my point of view in the digests, so please do get in touch with any thoughts on what you read, and add your own ideas. My email address for GoBike purposes is jim_densham@hotmail.com.

Hopefully, a national digest will give us more of an opportunity to dig into a key consultation issue each month, highlight important points and provide suggested answers for your own responses. A good example is Transport Scotland’s current consultation on the Road Safety Framework, which has featured in the past few consultation digests.

I recently wrote a CUK blog which features a guide to the consultation. The guide can be accessed by anyone and provides selected key priorities and short suggested wording which you can use or adapt for your own response. Our Cycling UK consultation response will be longer and more detailed.

As with many strategies, plans or frameworks published by the Scottish Government it’s hard to find fault with the overall aims and objectives. The problem comes with a lack of detail outlining what Government will do to solve the road safety issues we face on a daily basis. Thankfully, the consultation asks for specific practical ideas so there’s opportunity to provide detailed input.

The deadline for responses is 1^st December.

Email: jim_densham@hotmail.com

Twitter: @JimDensham

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?

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.

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!