…o’ Mice an’ Men, Gang aft agley.” Happy Burns Night! Rabbie lived in Dumfries for a while and this first issue of 2024 includes events on Galloway and Ayrshire’s hopes to become a new national park (before the bid goes to the Scottish Parliament). Also, there are updates on two City Deal plans for “relief roads” with question marks about active travel links around them.

In the Southside, there’s a day of workshops in Govanhill. A few pre-consultations for development plans close soon, followed by the Development Frameworks for Pollok and Easterhouse. Nextbike have a survey about new hire station locations. Traffic Orders have started to re-appear, including ones for Avenues Plus.

Obviously, our plans for the new version of the Digest have “gang agley” (gone awry)…

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

1.1: Local Development Plan 3 Evidence and Data Gathering (EDC)

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: EDC is consulting about an Evidence Report for LDP3. They need “the views of residents, businesses, groups and organisations. The report will focus on the broad concepts that will shape the plan and not, at this stage, the merits of individual sites. Key issues include… Sustainable transport.”Public drop-in sessions have already started in various locations – these run between late November and mid-January.
Website links: LDP3 Evidence Report consultation webpage and LDP3 online survey.
Deadline: 31 January 2024 (5pm).

1.2: My Neighbourhood, My City – Place Standard Survey

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Survey for the new City Development Plan (Glasgow’s land-use plan), which will decide where new homes, schools, businesses and open spaces should be located. The Place Standard tool gathers rates different factors about a neighbourhood to identify issues. Responses will inform the Evidence Report for the plan.
Website links: MNMC Place Standard survey (and City Development Plan 2 web hub).
Deadline: 1 February 2024.

1.3: Future of Travel on North Cathcart Road

Organisation: South Seeds (with Planning Aid Scotland).
Subject: Workshop events in Govanhill about how to improve walking, wheeling and public transport at the northern end of Cathcart Rd (A728). It’s a mostly 4-lane road running from the Five Ways junction (Brazen Head) over the M74 to Govanhill. Cycling isn’t explicitly mentioned (despite the bike icon on the flyer) so maybe a good idea to speak up for protected cycle lanes.
Events – Thursday 1 February:
1pm – 2.30pm at Larkfield Centre,
6.30pm – 8pm at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre.
Website links: Workshop sign-up link (you can also just turn up on the day).
Deadline: Probably only open to submissions on the day – 1 February.

1.4: Galloway National Park – drop-in sessions

Organisation: Galloway National Park Association (charity).
Subject: Proposal for a national park in Galloway (which would include parts of South and East Ayrshire in its boundaries). Previous consultation took place in 2018 so these sessions are updates about the plans ahead of a submission to the Scottish Government. Not specific to cycling but would affect the area and have potential to create cycle routes.
Drop-in events:
30 January (2–6pm) – Johnston Centre, Kirkcudbright;
31 January (2–7pm) – County Building, Wigtown;
1 February (2–7pm) – Community Centre, Dalmellington;
2 February (2–7pm) – Millennium Centre, Stranraer.
Website links: Further information on the GNPA website (including info on climate change, which mentions cycling).
Deadline: Probably only open to submissions from 30 January to 2 February.

1.5: Greater Easterhouse Strategic Development Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: “The SDF for Greater Easterhouse identifies key issues and opportunities in the area, and sets the vision and framework for future development in line with the spatial policies of the City Development Plan and the National Planning Framework 4.”
Website links: Greater Easterhouse SDF page and Greater Easterhouse SDF survey.
Deadline: 5 February 2024.

1.6: Greater Pollok Local Development Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: “The Vision for Greater Pollok includes… movement and travel infrastructure, town centres, local shopping, facilities, housing, and economic development areas… green spaces and initiatives which tackle climate change. Following extensive community engagement, which ended in September 2022, the Draft Greater Pollok LDF document is now complete.”
Website links: Greater Pollok LDF page and Greater Pollok LDF survey.
Deadline: 5 February 2024.

1.7: Nextbike – new station survey

Organisation: Nextbike by TIER.
Subject: New bike hire stations are being planned and Nextbike has a survey for users of their mobile app. The survey link is in a news item on the app (if you don’t have it on your phone, you can download from the Nextbike website). It has some suggested locations to choose from (Penilee, Eastfield, Barlanark, Bishopbriggs, Fernhill or Clydebank). You can also suggest your own location using a grid square reference from What3Words.
Website links: Nextbike survey tweet.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Dunglass terminal redevelopment, Bowling

Subject: Further planning approval granted on a long-running project to redevelop the former Esso/ExxonMobil oil terminal at Bowling and create a new road into Dumbarton. This may change part of NCN Route 7, which runs parallel between the A82 (Great Western Rd) and railway. NCN7 crosses the A814 (Dumbarton Rd) near the Dunglass roundabout. However, it’s not clear if NCN7 would be diverted through the new business park to a longer riverside path around the central and western edges of the site. On the plus side, the City Deal-funded project should create new crossings on the A814 and A82. The A82 has been affected by “unstable verges” near the roundabout in the recent past.
Website links: Article and planning application.

2.2: Westerhill Development Road – route chosen

Subject: Another City Deal project, this time north of Glasgow inside the Westerhill Regeneration Area (which had a consultation in 2023). East Dunbartonshire Council have chosen a route for the new road north of Bishopbriggs (previously referred to as Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road). It extends Westerhill Road from the former Aviva offices past Low Moss prison to the A803 Kirkintilloch Road. It’s due to include pedestrian and cycling paths – possibly extending the Westerhill Way shared path. Design work will continue into 2025 so construction is still some way off.
Website links: EDC article.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs. Orders for disabled parking spaces and some experimental School Streets.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes. Orders for recent consultations including two Avenues Plus projects – South Portland St and Cowcaddens Rd.

“But Och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward tho’ I canna see,
I guess an’ fear!”

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation Event NOW, until 8pm today, Tuesday 19 March and on-line until 12 April
2. Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes TOMORROW 20 MARCH
3. **NEW** Survey on bike hire scheme in Motherwell, closes 31 March
4. Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April
5. North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April
6. **NEW** Glasgow Woodside Health Centre, Traffic Regulation Order, to prevent obstructive parking, closes 08 April
7. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Waiting Restrictions in Lenzie, closes 22 April
8. Get Glasgow Moving, on-line petition, open but needs your support

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, GCC response to our objection
2. Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement
3. Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, what happens at Charing Cross?
4. Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, Elmbank Street, astonishing response from GCC

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation Event NOW, until 8pm today, Tuesday 19 March and on-line until 12 April

If you haven’t been to this event, you’d better get your fast bike out since it closes at 8pm today. If you missed it don’t worry though – you are still able to put comments on-line until 12 April. Sustrans and Glasgow City Council are putting a lot of effort into working with the community to improve this area so do please respond.

1.2 Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes TOMORROW 20 MARCH

A touch more relaxed with this one but do complete this survey, if you want to press for more active travel and public travel provision in the SPT area.

1.3 **NEW** Survey on bike hire scheme in Motherwell, closes 31 March

Here’s the survey, if it’s not clear on the poster. It’s only short so please complete it.

1.4 Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April

This looks incredibly promising, very active travel and public realm oriented, as we told you two weeks ago in Digest 29, Item 1.5 – let’s hope it stays that way! GoBike is currently developing a response. Our current thinking is that while the document (see this link) is very long and very detailed, it has very little in it that ensures that the actions will be carried out. A massive amount of political will is required, as well as a gigantic amount of public and lobby group persuasion for it to happen.

Who wouldn’t want Anderston Station to be in a pleasant environment? Who wouldn’t want the riverside to be a pleasant place to stroll and sit in the sun, etc etc.

So it could be a good idea to complete the survey by choosing “Strongly Agree” with the proposals and “Strongly Disagree” that the content of the document can make them real. You might then use the boxes to say why you are concerned with traditional traffic modelling, how you don’t think that the use of electric vehicles will reduce city centre congestion and so on. We also advise that you use “Strongly Agree” with the ideas and use a comment box to point out how important it is to create conditions for cycling that will get people out of their cars for short trips, whether or not the ambitious ideas are successfully implemented.

Most of you who read these Digests have the cycling experience, the knowledge of political systems and local government (did I say “cynicism”?) and a sensible view of what is needed to get people out of their cars and onto their feet or their pedals to give this survey a good response! Please do so!

1.5 North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April

We have mentioned this twice before, the latest in Digest 29, Item 1.6 and one of our members has now found some references to active travel in the documents! The Modified Proposed Plan is here, the Local Development Plan is here and the four references are:

1. Document p16, pdf p9 Strategic Planning Context / Low carbon infra … (list)…connected transport networks including active travel …
2. Document p31, pdf p16 PROM: promoting development locations and infra / Transport improvements / …Policies in this Plan seek to ensure that development improves access to …… and increasing active travel through the creation and improvement of walking and cycling routes
3. Document p81, pdf p41 Policy C1 Contributions [from developers] to Infra / Contributions to Infra Policy Categories and Guidance / Category C13 Transport / Full details of any transport infra will be identified by the Council … Forms of Transport infra can (sic) include road and public transport as well as active travel such as walking and cycling.
4. Doc p152, pdf p77 Glossary / (‘Active travel’ not in glossary…) … inside the definition for ‘Compact City Model’ .. development geography seeks to … encourage active travel…

So that isn’t very much and there’s nothing substantial that could be measured, so we will be writing to them over the next fortnight pointing out what we see as shortcomings. If you cycle or walk in North Lanarkshire please do respond.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow Woodside Health Centre, Traffic Regulation Order, to prevent obstructive parking, closes 08 April

Here’s the email we received from Glasgow City Council on 08 March:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (WOODSIDE HEALTH CENTRE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro.
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the ground for their objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 8^th April 2019.

Yours faithfully (etc)”

Here are the documents referred to: the press advert (which uses the term “obstructive parking” which is a new term on us), the draft report, the plan of the area affected and the very brief statement of reasons.

This is one that GoBike will be supporting as it will improve the local environment. If you live, work or travel in this area please write in and add your support.

1.7 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Waiting Restrictions in Lenzie, closes 22 April

Here’s the email we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 15 March:

“Dear Sir,
PROPOSED WAITING RESTRICTIONS IN LENZIE

The Council is promoting the undernoted Traffic Regulation Order. Attached is a copy of the draft Order together with a copy of the plan indicating the locations of the restrictions and Statement of Reasons for the proposal. Also enclosed is a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Kirkintilloch Herald that is published on 19 March 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 22 April 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Executive Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. (See attached file: 190315 Lenzie Proposed Waiting Restrictions.pdf)
Yours faithfully

Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
East Dunbartonshire Council Headquarters
Southbank Marina
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch G66 1TJ

Here’s the document referred to and this is one that GoBike will be supporting. Streets are for getting from place to place and not for the long-term storage of vehicles.

1.8 Get Glasgow Moving, online 38 degrees petition , open

We have featured this before – if you didn’t support it then please add your name now. Here are the links to Get Glasgow Moving and to the petition. It’s a no-brainer.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing new this time. We have the Byres Road Design Workshop coming up this Thursday, which we had told you about last time, and we will report on in the next Digest. Apart from that we live in hope of seeing confirmed plans to build useful, high-quality cycle lanes.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, GCC response to our objection

In our last Digest we published our letter of opposition to the proposals to make Heathcot Avenue one-way with no exemption for bikes and we have now received this risible email by way of reply

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

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (HEATHCOT AVENUE),
TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
I can advise that this Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was requested by the local community and proposed as a road safety measure for current issues being experienced.
I can further advise that any vehicles parked on the grass verge opposite the flats will be subject to enforcement under the new proposed restrictions.
I understand your desire to make active travel a priority and the Council is currently investing in new cycle routes within Glasgow, however I am unable to include two-way cycling on this road due to previous concerns raised from Police Scotland in regards to other proposals.
Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 27^th March 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or e-mailing land@glasgow.gov.uk.
If you do not wish to withdraw your objection then there is no requirement for you to write to us again.
Your objection will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision.  Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely”

This prompts the following questions:

• Why would Transport Scotland issue a design document, “Cycling by Design” when a major clause encouraging permeability to be maintained for cycling, ie Clause 5.1.5 is of such concern to Police Scotland?
• Why would Glasgow City Council use the same document for their cycling designs if Police Scotland object?
• Why is there such a varied amount of contraflow cycling in Glasgow from the no road markings, only street signs on Dalnair Street in Yorkhill, to Gordon Street with just a change of paving to Howard Street with only paint, if Police Scotland object?
• Why do members of Police Scotland say they don’t object to contraflow cycling?
• Why has GoBike not been provided with evidence of objection to contraflow cycling by Glasgow City Council?
• Is there a consistent policy on cycling provision, including contraflow, within Glasgow City Council?

3.2 Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement

Here’s a better response from Glasgow City Council; it’s to our support for changes to on-street parking and other measures in the city centre, see our letter of 26 February.

We received this email on 19 March:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION NO 26) (CONGESTION IMPROVEMENT) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely”

Nice to be appreciated sometimes!

3.3 Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, what happens at Charing Cross?

Despite item 3.4 below and the challenge to get there after a night at the King’s Theatre, we are keen to see how the cycle lane on Sauchiehall Street is progressing. Slowly is the answer, so our eye was caught at Charing Cross by the pedestrian crossing arrangements, prompting this message from our Co-Convenor, (with thanks to Rachel for the words and Brenda for the photos) to Andy Waddell, Director of Neighbourhoods and Sustainability and his lead for the Sauchiehall Street works, Brian Hubbert:

“Dear Andy and Brian,
It has been good to see the recent progress on the cycle lane along Sauchiehall Street, however we would like to highlight some concerns we have about the pedestrian crossing at Charing Cross. Currently the cycle lane stops abruptly on each side of the pedestrian crossing, and it is unclear how you can cycle between the two parts of the cycle lane. Photo 1 shows the crossing.

The current design creates conflict between people travelling by bicycle and people travelling on foot. As it is currently designed, people travelling on foot will be waiting in, essentially, the middle of the desire line for people travelling by bicycle. We’re unclear if this is a mistake or if it was intentional. The original plans show the pedestrian crossing starting on the edge of a continuous cycle path. Here are the plans I’m referring to https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43844&p=0, and attached as ‘sheet 4 of 4’. I’ve also attached ‘sheet 2 of 4’, and that shows another crossing for people on foot, and which again clearly shows that people on foot are encouraged to wait on the edge of the cycle lane, rather than in it (and this is the case for all the crossings on along Sauchiehall Street in the original plans). Are you planning to add cycle lights here at Charing Cross?

Photo 1b shows the space available on the pavement next to the cycle lane, which is wide enough to allow cycle lane and pedestrian crossing which doesn’t cause conflict for those travelling on foot and by bicycle.
On a side note photo 2 shows the tactile paving to mark the end of the cycle lane, and our understanding is that they have been laid the wrong way around, and thus are misleading for people who are visually impaired.

We are also interested to hear more about the side streets along Sauchiehall Street and how you are planning to ensure priority for those travelling on foot or by bicycle.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Iona on behalf of GoBike”

3.4 Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, Elmbank Street, astonishing response from GCC

Readers may remember that John and Tricia attended a meeting of Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council to raise concern about Elmbank Street becoming one-way southbound. Bailie Philip Braat raised our concern with the Neighbourhood and Sustainability group, and here is the astonishing reply that he received:

“From: LESMLU
Date: 18 March 2019 at 13:59:04 GMT
To: “Braat, Philip (Councillor)”
Subject:NS MLU 378670 FW: Cycling in Blythswood & Broomielaw, Elmbank Street (OFFICIAL)

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

Dear Bailie Braat,

I acknowledge receipt of your undernoted email, dated 1^st March and following receipt of correspondence from representatives of Go-Bike in relation to the alteration to traffic flow on Elmbank Street to one way southbound (which was implemented as part of the Sauchiehall Street Avenue project).
I can confirm that Go-Bike submitted an objection to the proposal and requested that a northbound contraflow cycle lane be incorporated into the works and provided examples of locations where this measure had been implemented. Each of the specified locations were assessed with a view to including a contraflow cycle lane at this location, however it was not possible to incorporate the measure at Elmbank Street on safety grounds and a response providing an explanation of the reasoning for non-inclusion was issued to Go-Bike.
I accept that the situation on Elmbank Street is not ideal for cyclists, however facilities along the full length of Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose Street for sustainable travel including pedestrians, cyclists and public transport have been improved through the reduction in the number of parking bays, construction of a cycle lane the full length of Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose Street, provision of new bus infrastructure and the reduction in the number of traffic lanes. On completion of the works access to Sauchiehall Street will be possible via Holland Street and Douglas Street and also on the footways of Elmbank Street .
Prior to the works being implemented, Elmbank Street comprised 4 number lanes, two vehicle running lanes and two lanes for parking/loading and two narrow footways with no cycling infrastructure. The facilities for cyclists on Elmbank Street, on completion of the works, have neither improved nor been removed however facilities within the Charing Cross/Sauchiehall Street area in general have improved significantly which was one of the primary objectives of the works. 
I trust the above is of use however should you require to discuss the matter further please do not hesitate to contact Mr Stephen McDonagh.

Christine Francis
Technical Services Manager, Neighbourhoods & Sustainability”

How ludicrous; if it wasn’t such a knock back for active travel, it would be funny. GCC accept that Elmbank Street is not a good location for cycling, but hey, the nirvana of Sauchiehall Street is just out of reach beyond it. How do we get there? We can use the footways on Elmbank Street, even though they are narrow! So now, because of their stubbornness on this issue (our objection was submitted over 2 years ago), they advocate footway cycling! And one could go on.
We have good infrastructure in the selected parts of the city but Heathcot Avenue, Elmbank Street and many, many more locations are discarded.

Let’s hope they eventually see sense and we get some consistent, good practice in place. It might not happen in time for our next Digest on 09 April, but perhaps sometime?