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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy!

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

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

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** OnBikes and St Paul’s Youth Forum, short survey for Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme, please respond as soon as possible!
2. Glasgow City Council, Connecting Communities, Transport Strategy Public Conversation, Your Views, closes 30 October
3. Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No 27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, closes 30 October
4. The Guardian Newspaper, Why we need media reporting guidelines for road safety, closes 08 November
5. The Scottish Government, Programme for Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland – Consultation on Phase 1 Proposals, closes 08 November
6. Transport Scotland, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 – Draft Public Consultation, closes 01 December
7. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, new City Development Plan, closes 11 December
8. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), closes 15 January 2021

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. NHS Lanarkshire, new Monklands Hospital, GoBike response
2. Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project, newsletter, including new bridge over White Cart
3. Stockingfield Bridge diversion details
4. Glasgow City Council, Ruchazie Road speed cushion confirmation – and our question!
5. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan Newsletter No 60

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** OnBikes and St Paul’s Youth Forum, short survey for Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme, please respond as soon as possible!

This is a reminder of the blog that came out on 18 October. If you haven’t read it yet then please click here, read it and respond! The north east of the city needs you. The survey is quick and easy to do.

Responses are requested as soon as possible to meet Sustrans’ funding timetable.

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

This consultation from the City Council first appeared in Digest 70, Item 1.9. The survey is a must-do for active travellers, so please do give it a go by Friday.

1.3 Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No 27) Order 202, waiting and loading, plus EV parking, closes 30 October

This consultation featured first in our previous Digest, 71, Item 1.5 and here’s the GoBike letter in response. In the letter there is reference to the Stage One consultation letter that we submitted; we were not able to publish that response at the time but here it is now, for reference.

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

We know from the struggles of all under-represented groups that the use of language is important. In our case, some of the language used about cycling and those of us who cycle is very pejorative. This survey, taken from the Guardian newspaper, was in Digest 71, Item 1.6 and is well worth a few minutes of your time, if you haven’t already completed it. Here’s the link and you need to read a bit of text so that you can complete the very short survey.

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

Item 1.7 in Digest 71 gave the details for this consultation – a must for any cycling tenement dweller! Do please look at this link and get your views in.

1.6 Transport Scotland, Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 – Draft Public Consultation, closes 01 December

This consultation, first featured in Digest 69, Item 1.13 and it’s clear, with an average of 3 people per week being killed on Scotland’s roads that something needs to be done about road safety.
Here’s the link to the consultation information.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, new City Development Plan, closes 11 December

How good are our places? This is what the City Council wants to know, with this email from 21 October that GoBike member, Derek M, forwarded to us:

“Good afternoon 
Glasgow City Council is preparing a new City Development Plan and we want to hear your views on what it should say. We are working with our partners, The Future Fox to host an online engagement called Placebuilder. It is designed to help us understand the experiences and ideas of Glasgow’s different neighbourhood communities on what they think works, what could be better and what they would like to see change. 
The engagement will run from Wednesday 21^st October until Friday 11^th December 2020. If you click on the image below you will be taken to the engagement home page where you can choose to answer questions about your neighbourhood. Or if you are really interested in a specific issue in a specific place you can tag the map and tell us more.   

Here’s the link from the image. (The image, but not the link, copied from the email!)

We want to hear from all age groups including from younger people, and all backgrounds, circumstances, and locations so the Plan can reflect Glasgow’s diverse population. Understanding how everyday Glasgow works will help us create a Plan that leads to a better city experience as well as addressing the big issues we face like tackling climate change, helping to create more opportunities to work and improving health and wellbeing.

The Plan will also guide where we want new development to happen in order to make Glasgow a more healthy, liveable, and successful place. Things like the location of new housing and businesses, how we can improve our town centres or re-use vacant land and protect our important built and natural assets.

The new Plan will affect every neighbourhood in the Glasgow City Council Area and will guide how every part of the city should be developed in the future. We want this to be influenced by what you – the people of Glasgow, think about our city and what the local priorities for change are. By using the tools in this consultation we hope to get an understanding of how our different places need to be looked at in the new Plan. Your opinions will form an important part of the Plan’s evidence base which means it is responsive to our communities’ views and ideas. This is the start of the process and we will be taking more opportunities to speak to specific groups and gain ideas. It will take a number of years to gather all of the information and other evidence before we are able to share a draft plan but your comments and suggestions will help us prepare a Plan that reflects the priorities of all of Glasgow’s communities.   

Development Plan,
Development and Regeneration Services
Glasgow City Council231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX
developmentplan@glasgow.gov.uk“

So do please get your views in.

1.8 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), closes 15 January 2021

Here’s the email that we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 22 October, bearing the news forecast in Digest 70, Section 2, Forthcoming Consultations:

“Dear Sir/ Madam,

East Dunbartonshire Council has published the proposed LDP2 and is notifying you of the representation period for the Proposed Plan, from Monday 19th October 2020 until Friday 15th January 2021. You have been sent this email because you have previously shown an interest in the development plan process.
The Proposed LDP2 sets out policies and proposals to guide land use change and improve the quality of development. It includes the following policies:
a development strategy, seven community policies and subject policies.

The Council is also consulting on the following related documents:
· Environmental Report
· Proposed Delivery Programme
· Proposed Sustainability and Energy Statement form
· Additional Site Assessments for Nine Sites Submitted During the Main Issues Report Consultation in 2019
· Habitats Regulations Appraisal

The Proposed LDP2 and the other related five consultation documents may be viewed on the Council website: www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP2
Due to the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic a hard copy of the LDP2 and the other documents will also be available to borrow in the following libraries as part of the Connect and Collect service, collection is by appointment only.
For further information on this service please check the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust website https://www.edlc.co.uk/libraries/connect-collect, or telephone the following libraries between 10am and 1pm.
· Bearsden Library, 69 Drymen Road, Bearsden G61 3QT. Telephone 0141 777 3021
· Bishopbriggs Library, 170 Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs G64 2LX. Telephone 0141 777 3155
· Lennoxtown Library, 46 Main Street, Lennoxtown G66 7JJ. Telephone 0141 777 3151
· Milngavie Library, Allander Road, Milngavie G62 8PN. Telephone 0141 956 2776
· William Patrick Library, 2-4 West High Street, Kirkintilloch G66 1AD. Telephone 0141 777 3141

If you would like to make a representation to the Council on the Proposed LDP2 a representation form and further information is available on the Council website: www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP2
The Land Planning Policy Team is also available to answer any enquiries by telephone and email, Monday to Friday 9am ? 5pm, on 0300 123 4510. Your representation should explain clearly and concisely your reasons for seeking a change to, or supporting, the Proposed LDP2 and you are encouraged to use the representation form. Your representation should be submitted by e-mail to development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or by post to: Land Planning Policy Team Broomhill Depot Kilsyth Road Kirkintilloch G66 1TP
Representations should be submitted no later than 5pm on Friday 15th January 2021. “

Plenty for you residents of East Dunbartonshire to get your teeth into there!

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

No news again.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 NHS Lanarkshire, new Monklands Hospital, GoBike response

Item 1.1 in Digest 71 highlighted the consultation on the location for the proposed new Monklands Hospital, which closed on 18 October. Of the 3 possible sites GoBike favours the Wester Moffat site, shown above and here’s our submission of 16 October explaining why. This site is definitely the best for active travel and public transport for the nearby population.

Here’s the acknowledgement that we received on 20 October:

“Monklands Replacement Project

Thank you for your email. This is confirmation that the project team have received your email and your feedback has been noted.

In the meantime, any updates will be published at www.monklands.scot.nhs.uk “

3.2 Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project, newsletter, including new bridge over White Cart

Here’s the latest news from the Glasgow Airport Investment Area, received on 19 October:

“We wanted to draw your attention to the following update on the GAIA City Deal project …

As construction progresses at our Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project, our contractor Wills Bros Civil Engineering, have issued the second GAIA newsletter which provides an update on progress of construction works on the project. You can view this from the related document section of our GAIA webpage at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/gaia.

Second issue of official newsletter for the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project.

This newsletter, which is the second in a series updates as the project progresses, includes: Project progress; Traffic management including lane closures required to allow construction to progress; Covid-19 safety measures; Community updates; and Next steps. You can download the newsletter from the related documents section of our GAIA project page at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/gaia.“

3.3 Stockingfield Bridge diversion details

Here we have the latest news, received on 19 October via Sustrans:

“From: Communications [mailto:Communications@scottishcanals.co.uk]
Sent: 19 October 2020 15:57
Subject: Stockingfield Bridge Update

Good afternoon,

I want to update you on progress of the new Stockingfield Bridge, which will not only reconnect the communities of Ruchill, Gilshochill and Maryhill but complete the last link in the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath, bringing a major active travel improvement.

Unfortunately, as part of the construction of the bridge it is necessary to temporarily close a section of the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath between Ruchill Street in Maryhill and Stockingfield Junction from November 16, 2020 to approximately July 2022.

This will impact anyone walking or cycling the following routes:

• Bowling to Falkirk
• Bowling to Glasgow City Centre
• Falkirk to Glasgow City Centre

The canal will also be closed to boating traffic from November 1 to March 15^, 2021.

A 4.4km towpath diversion has been put in place for walkers and cyclists that follows the River Kelvin, avoiding the traffic-heavy alternative of Maryhill Road. The route, which has been agreed with Sustrans and Glasgow City Council, will be clearly marked and letters are being distributed to local residents by our contractor.

An area of ground adjacent to the canal is also being provided for local dog walkers during this closure period, which will also be well signposted.

As well as opening up a new access route for people living in Ruchill, Gilshochill and Maryhill with the west end and city centre, the new bridge will allow walkers and cyclists to cross the canal at towpath level rather than having to drop off and negotiate the road tunnel at Lochburn Road before rejoining the path again.

The increased access to the canal and the design of the bridge structure with an integrated observation deck and landscaping on this currently underused site will encourage greater use of the canal.

As part of the development new traffic signals will also be installed on Lochburn Road to manage traffic through the Stockingfield Aqeduct.

If you require any more information, please get in touch.

Yours sincerely
Alasdair Hamilton
Technical Manager
Scottish Canals“

The River Kelvin path will be busy then; shame the City Council hasn’t installed cycle lanes on Maryhill Road yet, but, on the bright side, we do have a diversion.

3.4 Glasgow City Council, Ruchazie Road speed cushion confirmation – and our question!

Back in Digest 69, Item 1.10, we published proposals for speed cushions to be installed on Ruchazie Road. Here’s the letter of objection to this and 4 other schemes across the city that we submitted on 15 September.

Glasgow City Council confirmed by email on 20 October that the scheme will go ahead as proposed with 40 speed cushions and 26 bollards to be installed.

GoBike, on 24 October, submitted this question in response to the City Council:

“Hello,

Thank you for this response.

Many GoBike members ask about the effectiveness of speed cushions in reducing the speed of motor traffic and reducing collisions, both between motor vehicles and between motor vehicles and people. Thus could you please send me the results of your post-installation surveys so that we speed-cushion-sceptics may be reassured that the City Council is acting wisely to improve safety on our streets?

Many thanks“

We’ll let you know if and when we get a reply.

3.5 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan Newsletter No 60

Here’s the latest newsletter from EDC, received on 21 October

In this newsletter:
 Have Your Say on the Proposed Local Development Plan 2
 Clydeplan Draft Forestry and Woodland Strategy Consultation
 Electric Vehicles in East Dunbartonshire
 Guide for Home Businesses

_____________________________________________________

That’s it for now, but watch out for more news in 2 weeks and some forthcoming changes in our Digests!

Hi Folks

Next year the TRNSMT Festival will be back in Glasgow Green from the 10-12th July. We wish it every success but there is no reason that the NCR75 cycleway should be shut at the same time. If you live in Glasgow and haven’t got around to signing, then the petition closes on the 28th October. Please sign and pass the link onto your friends and family.

Lets keep NCR75 open at all times. After all, it’s the busiest and best cycleway in Glasgow.

https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicPetitions&noip=1&PageType=item&DMartId=58

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow (Belmont) (Traffic Management) Order 2005 (Variation No 2) Order 201_- Consultation, Parking, closes TODAY, 15 October
2. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, parking/loading restrictions, closes 21 October
3. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October
4. **NEW – ish** Keep National Cycle Route 75 Open During Public Events in Glasgow Green petition, closes 28 October
5. **NEW** Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes 30 October
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking Restrictions, closes 01 November
7. East Dunbartonshire Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Byres Road: delay in issuing TROs
2. Active Travel Event for Everyone event in Edinburgh, 19 October

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 53
2. Glasgow, Glencairn Drive Traffic Calming – and we learn about Speed Cameras

Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 Glasgow (Belmont) (Traffic Management) Order 2005 (Variation No 2) Order 201_- Consultation, Parking, closes TODAY, 15 October

This consultation featured in our last Digest, Issue 44, Item 1.6 and is proposed in order to prohibit unsafe and obstructive parking in this residential area. We missed the absence of the formal TRO when we first published the information received; this appears to be a recent change of policy with GCC, ie to gauge opinion before going to the expense and formality of a Traffic Regulation Order. Here’s the GoBike letter of support. If you wish to join us in our view please get your comments in quick – consultation closes today.

1.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, parking/loading restrictions, closes 21 October

More parking restrictions, here in the leafy suburbs of Bearsden, all around the car salesroom and near the access to residential areas and the golf club. All the details were in Digest 43, Item 1.7 and here’s the GoBike letter of support for the proposal.

1.3 Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

This is now the sixth appearance of this consultation in our Digests and our response will be submitted before the deadline. Responses will help set government strategy for the next 20 years so it’s important that views of the active travel community are heard.
Here’s the link to the government website and consultation details.

Our in-house expert on these long (and winding) documents will be attending the Active Travel Event for Everyone event in Edinburgh on 19 October (see Item 2.2 below) where some discussion on the Strategy is promised, before completing the GoBike response. However, we do understand that it’s a woolly document with few, if any, specific objectives.
Our friends in Cycling UK Scotland (and many of us are CUK members) have analysed the document and have issued a guide for completing the on-line questions, which is very handy. Here’s the link to the page on their website, scroll down to see the link to the suggested responses – and then make them your own; it’s easy to improve when you have a basic guide!
Not only that but Cycling UK Scotland have sent this message to their members, which gives you the option of a very short, barely 2-minute email submission – and you can adapt it to suit:

“Thank you for reaching out to your MSPs to fix the law on parking in a cycle lane. We are hugely disappointed that MSPs squandered the opportunity and voted against the law change, despite more than 6,000 emails being sent by supporters like you.

We will continue to push for this law change and for safer cycling on our roads. We really value your support and willingness to take action. That’s why we want to highlight another opportunity, this time to put cycling at the heart of Scottish transport.

The Scottish Government wants to hear your ideas for its new National Transport Strategy. This Strategy will set the agenda for Scottish transport for the next 20 years, so it’s critical that as many of us as possible have our say before the 23 October deadline.

To help you have your say in the consultation process we have designed a simple online form which will create a personalised and unique response which you can edit. The more detailed and personal your response is, the more effective it will be. 

Help us seize this opportunity to get cycling up the agenda in Scotland. Have your say before the deadline of 23 October.“

Do please fill in this short response form.

1.4 **NEW – ish** Keep National Cycle Route 75 Open During Public Events in Glasgow Green petition, closes 28 October

Covered in our post of 27 September, but new to the Digest, is this latest petition from GoBike and Cycling UK member, Bob Downie,
The National Cycle Route 75 through Glasgow Green is one of the busiest in the city, used by commuters, shoppers, tourists and learners – and also William, from the Glasgow Humane Society, last seen with a life belt on each handlebar of this bike, as he cycled along by the river to put them back in place.

If you haven’t already, do please sign this petition to keep this important route open at all times possible.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes 30 October

GoBike member, Rachel, alerted us to this on-line opinion poll/conversation concerning George Square.

“Between the 4th and 30th of October a citywide conversation will raise the question: George Square, is it time for change?

While George Square is a familiar landmark, the way it’s used has been shaped by generations of Glaswegians. Now it’s our turn! Let’s find out what place George Square has in Glasgow today and how it should be used in the future.

We’ll never know unless we talk honestly about how we think and feel, and also listen to what our fellow Glaswegians have to say.So let’s start talking! Here’s how to join the conversation:

• share how you feel about George Square today
• see how people think it could be used in future (and suggest your own)
• book a place on a workshop to have a deeper conversation
• apply to join the Co-Creation Forum that tests ways the results could be implemented

You can also join us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram“

There are lots of environmentally friendly, active-travel friendly suggestions already – do support or add your own view.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking Restrictions, closes 01 November

In a new departure, noted in Item 1.1 above, by Glasgow City Council we have been sent a plan only of streets to the west of Dalmarnock Station where it is hoped to ban all-day parking. Depending on the response a Traffic Regulation Order will be issued to prevent the “pretty chaotic” (to quote a City Council employee) on-street parking
Here’s the email we received from Glasgow City Council on 04 October:

“Date: 04 October 2019 at 15:55
Subject: FW: The Glasgow City Council (Dalmarnock-West) (Traffic Regulation) Order 201_ – Consultation

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL , DALMARNOCK WEST) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and I wish to establish the preliminary views of your organisation prior to the publication of these proposals.

Background to the proposed Order
These proposals will prevent all day commuter parking and improve road safety and pedestrian safety by prohibiting unsafe and obstructive parking practices.

Area affected by the proposed Order
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

Bonnar Street, Carstairs Street, Colvend Street, Dora Street, French Street, Martin Street, Norman Street, Reid Street, Rockcliffe Street, Solway Street, Strathclyde Street, Swanston Street, Webster Street, Unnamed Access Road.

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

·        No waiting at any time.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days (reply by 1^st November 2019).
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike)
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; a copy of the Notice of the proposed Order will be forwarded to you intimating an opportunity to lodge any objections to the proposals.
Yours faithfully” etc

Here’s the plan of the area proposed for this ban and you will notice that it extends from the station south to the river and along to the relatively new Police Scotland offices. Concerns have been expressed in the past about employees here parking on the cycle lane just across the river on Shawfield Road, so while GoBike will be supporting this restriction, we will express concerns about the possible knock-on effect for Shawfield Road.

Here’s the GoBike letter of support, including a couple of concerns about parking on Shawfield/Glasgow Road and about the lack of a ramped access, rather than steps, from the Police Scotland premises to NCN 75. Below is a screenshot, which demonstrates the concern for Shawfield Road.

Do please write in to support these proposals if you live, work or cycle in this area.

1.7 East Dunbartonshire Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November

Here’s the email we received from Chris McGough, Land Planning Policy Officer, Transport, for East Dunbartonshire Council on 26 September?

“The Council has continued work to produce a new Local Transport Strategy and has produced a Draft which is now open for consultation until 12 November 2019. The Draft Strategy, background report, corresponding Environmental Report and online survey is available at the following web page: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/draft-local-transport-strategy Any comments GoBike has at this stage would be welcome and would assist the Council in producing a final Strategy for publication and implementation. Please let me know if you have any queries.“

Drop-in sessions are being held and unfortunately we have missed the first 2, but 3 more are to be held and you might wish to attend one of these:

• Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown – Tuesday 22 October – 3pm-7pm
• Fraser Centre, Milngavie – Thursday 24 October – 3pm-7pm
• Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre – Wednesday 30 October – 3pm-7pm.

If you have any views on this document do please let us know at consultations@gobike.org and we will include them in our response.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Byres Road: delay in issuing TROs

Back at the end of August, and as we told you in Digest 42, Item 2.2, we were led to expect the issue of 3 Traffic Regulation Orders for Byres Road during September. The one we are particularly interested in is the second:

” Byres Road- Traffic Management and Parking Controls
This order will facilitate the proposed public realm improvements in Byres Road, including footway widening and new cycle lanes. The Order will propose a reduction in on-street car parking bays, the introduction of protected cycle lanes, additional disabled parking, the removal of the left-turn filter lane at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road and the introduction of a one-way arrangement on Byres Road and Church Street south of the Church Street junction.  The location of bus stops, loading bays and taxi ranks will be largely unchanged by the Order, although a new daytime taxi rank is proposed at Church Street to complement the University redevelopment works.“

Nothing was heard, so despite no news being good news, we contacted the City Council at the beginning of this month to find out that things are slightly behind programme due to internal issues but “The initial TRO consultation process will start next week with limited circulation to a number of consultees (Emergency Services, SPT etc.)  The public consultation is now likely to start in November and wind up just before Christmas.”
As soon as we hear we will let you know and we’ll be on the case.

2.2 Active Travel Event for Everyone event in Edinburgh, 19 October

Don’t forget this event that takes place on Saturday. Here’s the link to the eventbrite booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/active-travel-for-everyone-tickets-73548851595?aff=ebdssbeac
It’s a free event, looking at issues that divide and unite the active travel community. Do go if you can.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 53

Here’s the latest update, September 2019, from East Dunbartonshire, that we received just after the last newsletter was issued on 24 September.

3.2 Glasgow, Glencairn Drive Traffic Calming – and we learn about Speed Cameras

In Digest 43, Item 1.2, we gave all the details for the proposals for speed reduction on Glencairn Drive, near Maxwell Park and we submitted this letter of objection – not to the intention to reduce speed but the manner in which it was proposed to be done.

On 10 October this reply came in:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
Thank you for your response to the Traffic Calming proposals on Glencairn Drive.

I can advise that the smallest proposed gap between the kerbline and adjacent cushion is 0.8m, not 0.55m as stated. As well as this, the gap between the middle cushions is 1 metre, which should provide more than enough space for cyclists to pass whilst keeping them in the middle of their respective lane, without having to gravitate to the middle of the carriageway in order to travel to pass the middle cushions.

Regarding your request for the installation of chicanes, planters and cycle bypasses, I can advise that this location did not meet the usual criteria used for traffic calming.  However we were aware of speeding concerns at this location and used additional funding for this project to reduce vehicle speeds and make the street safer for all road users.  As such, there is a limited budget for this scheme, which is taken into account together with other factors when designing the layout.

I can also advise that the introduction of speed cameras lies outwith the remit of Glasgow City Council and that the responsibility for the installation of speed cameras lies with Safety Cameras Scotland, therefore any request for a speed camera to be installed at a location should be made to them directly at http://www.safetycameras.gov.scot/contact/.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (name and phone number removed by GoBike).“

There are 4 factors of interest in this reply:

1. The selective response to the points raised in the GoBike letter, with some completely ignored.
2. The correctness, or otherwise, of one of the drawings issued with the TRO, see screenshot below of a section of one drawing.
3. The curious budgetting procedures of GCC.
4. The fascinating website for Safety Cameras Scotland, http://www.safetycameras.gov.scot/ which details terrifying reports of drivers doing almost double the speed limit but then goes on to give advice to these poor drivers, with little relative thought to the victims of any incident or the crime committed. That said perhaps GoBike should run a campaign to get more speed cameras installed? Do let us know what you think – email consultations@gobike.org

A reply was sent on 11 October, attaching both the screenshot view at the top of this item and a copy of the GCC drawing from which the drawing immediately above is taken.

“Dear Mr Brady,
Thank you for replying to our letter of 17 September and your response to some of the points made therein. For your reference I attach one of the drawings issued as part of this TRO, which clearly shows a gap of 0.55m between cushion and kerb. The GoBike response was based on this drawing. Will you please issue the correct version of the drawing?
I also attach a screenshot showing a view of the road that shows the setts in the gutter, which do not form an acceptable cycling surface. However, I note your comment about the space between the middle cushions and we have to hope that people will be confident enough to use this gap when they are cycling on this road.

It is unfortunate, in our view, that the City Council does not take a more global view when there are concerns expressed about speeding. Rather than maintain this wide road, and others, as one primarily for motor vehicles we would prefer a move towards streets for people. It is also a curious policy that you continue to spend public money to restrain motor drivers who choose to break speed limits, rather than requesting that speed cameras be installed. Thank you, though for the clarification on speed cameras and the link to the relevant website.
We maintain our support for the reduction of dangerous speeds but object to the proposed method of achieving your aims at this location.

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

That’s it for now, but do respond to as many of the requests for support as you can. Your next Digest is scheduled for 29 October.

“National Cycle Route 75 (NCR75) where it passes by Glasgow Green is both the busiest and arguably the most pleasant off-road cycle route in Glasgow. However, due to the staging of large events in The Green it can be shut for days on end with poor or negligible diversion signage causing great inconvenience to cyclists.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We can have events in the Green without closure of NCR75
If you are a Glasgow resident, please sign this petition to end closure.”

Here’s the link to the petition: https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicPetitions&noip=1&PageType=item&DMartId=58

Let’s do all we can to keep this busy commuting (and leisure) route open.

“I wanted to make you aware of some works that will commence on Monday 2^nd September which will affect the cycleway on Clyde Place. As you know, Clyde Place is being Stopped Up and will be replaced by Public Realm. The permanent Stopping Up Order comes into effect on 1^st October 2019. The cycleway on Clyde Place needs to be temporarily diverted onto the Riverside Public Realm area to the north in order to facilitate works on Clyde Place.

The contractor plans to implement the diversion from Monday 2^nd September to allow for some advanced works to occur ahead of the Clyde Place Stopping Up Order permanently coming into effect in October.

Attached is a plan showing how the cycleway will be diverted. Cyclists and pedestrians will be segregated on the diversion route. The plan has been agreed with Glasgow City Council. The diversion will be in place until August 2020, at which time the new Public Realm area will be complete. “

Disappointing that Glasgow City Council didn’t make us aware of these changes but do be prepared for a slightly different route, closer to the river, on your commute or other journey next week.

Here’s the diagram in pdf format as originally sent.

There was a short meeting today at the junction of Paisley Road West and West Street between Tricia, from GoBike, Ross, Principal Director – Traffic and Transportation (North) for the Design Consultants and John, Senior Site Engineer for the contractors. Those of you who were frustrated at seeing the “Cyclists Dismount” sign (the second

one in this photo) will be pleased to know that it was removed yesterday further to an email exchange between GoBike and the Design Consultants. At the meeting today we discussed the following points:

• The current works to the footway at the west side of West Street into Paisley Road West will result in the footway being wider than it was
• The hoarding that has been erected on the east side of West Street will be in position until some time in 2020 to protect the construction site
• Only when that hoarding is removed will it be possible to build the new alignment of the South West City Way on the east side of West Street, probably late 2020
• On Monday 12 August the current traffic signals will be replaced with temporary signals, which will include a cycle phase
• The diagonal cycle crossing on West Street will be replaced, on a temporary basis, with a longer crossing, at less of an angle and extending further north, as per this photograph, taken from the south side. The new crossing will extend to the current gap in the fencing, where you can see 2 construction staff and 1 member of the public. (some people are already using this route)

• New, temporary fixed traffic signals will be installed at the west side of this site in September

All this might be subject to change as is sometimes the way in the construction world, but discussion has been started and GoBike now has contact details for the relevant site managers. If you do have any concerns contact GoBike in the usual way – Facebook, Twitter, email to consultations@gobike.org, but do please take care when going through this area as there may be short interruptions to your journey to allow construction traffic etc to move across the site.
And do remember that the end result will be a much pleasanter Clyde Place, with no through traffic at all.

We have been alerted by GoBike member, Alasdair (who is also a Sustrans volunteer), who has forwarded news of works STARTING TOMORROW, 29 MAY, to a retaining wall on the Kelvin Walkway close to the junction of Garrioch Drive and Garrioch Quadrant.

This will to be carried out in the next couple of weeks and the City Council’s Outdoor Access Officer, tells us the cycle/walk way might be open outwith working hours.

If a diversion is needed then this route is suggested by GoBike ride leader, Andy, as the best under current circumstances with Scottish Water working in the area:

The best route is to leave the Walkway between the humpback Bridge and the Ha’penny Bridge, by the ramp on the right (travelling upstream) which leads to Kelvin Drive. Continue along Kelvin Drive through Kirklees roundabout into Garrioch Road. Garrioch Road has had green cycle lanes on both sides for many years, but are always parked on and have been since they were established. If these can be cleared of parking, (by the use of orcas?), then there will be a traffic free path along Garrioch Road. At Contin Place (just before the Tesco Roundabout), make a left turn, which takes you into Wyndford at the foot of a residential block. There is a path alongside the block which goes into Wyndford. We would need a dropped kerb installed to get cyclists on to the path and a notice and/or mirror because lines of sight are curtailed. This path leads to Wyndford Drive, which also needs a dropped kerb. Cross Wyndford Drive and go straight across into Southmuir Place (it has lock-ups below the flats on its right side) This takes you into Wyndford and you follow the path past the Scottish Power combined heat and power plant to rejoin the Walkway.

It’s no doubt wishful thinking that there will be orcas and dropped kerbs in place in time, but since works like this are normally just done with next to no regard for people who walk and cycle, and almost no notice given, we are telling you now, so that, if this is your regular route, you can watch out for the works.