Glasgow City

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

A long overdue project for active travel improvements around Thornwood Roundabout and National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7). The roundabout plans are for new crossings and pavements/shared paths (widened onto verges). Crossings at north and east are 2-stage but close to ‘desire line’, with a few pinch points at corners. Crossings at west and south are set much further back (on existing paths). Sawmill St has a shared path south to crossings to a bi-directional cycletrack on South St/Castlebank St. That protected route runs most of the way to Pointhouse Place where there’s a shared path from the corner at the Riverside Museum. There’s a useful fly-through video of the route on the council webpage (and many visuals, which show cyclists riding on the right!). The cycletrack continues west along South St to the crossing at the end of the old railway path on the north side (near Dilwara Ave). While Thornwood roundabout is still car-dominated the plans are an upgrade for active travel. The cycletrack would be a very welcome improvement compared to NCN7’s current shared pavement.
Links: Thornwood-NCN7 consultation, Thornwood-NCN7 survey, Thornwood roundabout plans (PDF) and NCN7 plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 17 December 2025.

Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove – Phase 4

“Proposals include an enhanced public realm outside Exhibition Centre Train Station, with plans aiming to create a more inviting and accessible space that supports sustainable travel. This project also explores how Corunna Street, Minerva Street and St Vincent Crescent could be improved to better support walking, wheeling and cycling, while creating more welcoming and accessible public spaces. Proposed improvements include making Corunna Street one-way northbound with a dedicated southbound cycle lane, upgrading pavements and crossings, and adding clearer signage to improve wayfinding.”
Links: Connecting Yorkhill–Kelvingrove Smartsurvey (see plans in updated Connecting Yorkhill–Kelvingrove StoryMap).
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood – Phase 1

“Plans for the Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood build on earlier community feedback, and focus on improving the environment for pedestrians at Kent Road, Brechin Street, Claremont Street, Breadalbane Street and Dover Street. Proposed changes include upgrading pavements with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, improving pedestrian crossings, and adding new infrastructure such as cycle shelters, green planting and enhanced drainage.”
Links: Yorkhill to Anderston LN Smartsurvey (see plans in updated Yorkhill to Anderston LN StoryMap).
Deadline: 7 November 2025.

South Lanarkshire

East Kilbride Masterplan – planning consultation event

SLC have announced a further consultation event for the first phase of East Kilbride town centre redevelopment. It follows previous consultation and events in EK shopping centre. This one may be linked to a Pre-Application Notice (PAN), ahead of plans being submitted, but it’s not clear. The redevelopment site is south of Cornwall St, which has a Spaces for People cycleway on its northern side. An article in South Lanarkshire View says: “The proposals that local residents and communities are being consulted on include:

• a reduction of 42% in retail floorspace
• up to 400 new homes in a new town centre neighbourhood
• a new Civic Hub
• a food supermarket as an anchor retailer
• the transformation of entrance points, including a new hotel”

Event: East Kilbride Central Library from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday 30 October.
Links: East Kilbride Masterplan, SL View article.

Country Park Masterplans

Visuals and plans for Calderglen Country Park (East Kilbride) and Chatelherault Country Park (Ferniegair/Hamilton). These follow consultations last year (see Digest 165). Plans for both parks include upgraded facilities and infrastructure. The highlight for cycling is a proposed new active travel path and bridge over the burn at Calderglen. An article in South Lanarkshire View says: “Phase one projects include the creation of a new ‘pump track’ for three–to seven-year-olds close to the existing adventure playground at Calderglen.” Also, “a study is underway to look at options to reinstate the White Bridge at Chatelherault. The council’s approved budget for 2025/2026 includes an allocation of £1.35m towards both projects. Approved Masterplans for each park will mean that the council can pursue new UK and Scottish Government funding as and when available.”
Links: SLC Country Parks website (note: survey has closed).

Some consultations have slipped through the net recently (due to limited time to produce the Digest). This Extra rounds up some of the ones that would otherwise have missed out.

The following are in date order – you’ve not got long to respond to the first project, which takes a bite out of Apple’s ambitions…

East Ayrshire

Infinity Loop, Kilmarnock

Organisation: Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA).
Subject: A 26km(!) ‘figure of eight’ network of walking, wheeling, and cycling routes in and around Kilmarnock. Consultation is about proposals for route 1 (purple line) and route 2 (orange line). The central Route 1 includes a segregated cycleway on Glasgow Rd by Tesco (taking width from hatching/right-turn lanes and grass verge). The eastern Route 2 has a segregated cycleway on Grassyards Rd towards Kay Park. Both would replace some current painted/soft segregated bike lanes (with shared paths in other sections). This ambitious project will need wide support to avoid a Holmston Rd/Causeyside St situation –please consider filling in the multiple choice parts of survey (link below).
Website links: Killie Infinity Loop webpage, KIL project storymap and KIL survey.
Deadline: Sunday 12 November 2023.

School Street Trial, Hurlford

Organisation: Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA).
Subject: School Streets trial in Academy Street and Union Street, Hurlford. Temporary bollards and reduction in parking spaces directly in front of Hurlford Primary School.
Website links: Hurlford School Streets webpage and (very short) School Streets survey.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Argyll & Bute

Oban Town Centre North Active Travel

Council: Argyll & Bute
Subject: Early stages of project to explore opportunities for new active travel improvements around The Corran Esplanade and George Street in Oban. 
Website links: Oban Town Centre North Active Travel webpage, Oban North AT boards, Oban North AT ‘virtual exhibition’ and Oban North AT survey (one page).
Deadline: 30 November 2023.

South Lanarkshire

East Kilbride South Neighbourhood Planning 2023

Council: South Lanarkshire
Subject: Local planning project about a wide range of issues including transport and public spaces. Intended for residents of the southern part of East Kilbride – doesn’t mention neighbourhoods but presumably Greenhills, Whitehills, Mossneuk, etc.
Website links: EK South Neighbourhood Planning webpage and EK South Neighbourhood Planning survey.
Deadline: 30 December 2023.

As destruction dominates the news abroad and in parts of the UK, there’s little solace to be found. However, this issue has a few consultations with plans for new construction following demolitions in North Glasgow and North Ayrshire. Also, renewal for a town centre in South Lanarkshire. In Glasgow, there are plans for city centre junctions and a ‘conversation’ event in the Southside. Elsewhere, there’s a one-way system proposed in Renfrewshire.

Forthcoming consultations

Community Conversation on Travel in Govanhill, Glasgow

A community event for “anyone who lives in Govanhill who has any experience or views about travel. This can be any mode e.g. car, public transport, walking, cycling, wheeling.” It will look into current experiences, barriers and future solutions for sustainable travel. Run by the GALLANT partnership between Glasgow City Council and Glasgow University.
Event: 26 October 2023 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Daisy Street, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 8JL.

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. Connecting Woodside – Phase 2 (St George’s Road)
2. Ayrshire Central, Irvine – Final plans
3. Gallowhill, Paisley – proposed one-way system
4. North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) UPDATED
5. East Kilbride town centre: A new vision
6. Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

2: Consultation Feedback

1. Govan-Partick bridge progress
2. Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – October 2023

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming
3. North Lanarkshire TROs

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

1.1: Connecting Woodside – Phase 2 (St George’s Road)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Updated plans for St George’s Road, between Charing Cross and N Woodside Rd. The 2-way protected cycleway will connect from the existing Avenue on Sauchiehall St and eventually link into existing infra next to Garscube Rd. There are some changes to junctions and new crossings along the route. The plans include the more direct crossing option at Phoenix Rd/Maryhill Rd. Also, there’s a rare sighting of a continuous pavement; at a side access road (with barrier) next to Woodside Library. Nearby is a novel cycle crossing going diagonally across a pedestrian crossing (with bike light phase apparently). Two side roads were already going to be restricted: Clarendon Place will be stopped up (opened at other end) and Glenfarg St will be filtered. Lastly, a cycle maintenance station has been added to the plans between Grant St and W Princes St (handy for the M8 off-ramp!).
Featured: Digest 121 (1.13).
Website links: St George’s Rd ‘Storymap’ (link fixed now), Connecting Woodside webpage (PDF drawings under St George’s Rd heading) and St George’s Rd survey.
Deadline: 20 October 2023.

1.2: Ayrshire Central, Irvine – Final plans

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Final plans for this housing development on the site of former residencies at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine. Updated maps include details of walking and cycling routes (the latter marked in pink on page 5). Both are existing off-road paths – while the north-eastern one is retained, the western one makes way for bungalows and is pushed onto the footway. These include the homes next to the existing gatehouses, which are a better match for the listed buildings than you see on many developments. Most of the document is about the style and layout of houses, many for wheelchair users on the local housing list.
Consultation event: Tuesday 24 October 2023 from 4pm – 6pm at Castlepark Community Centre, 4 Castlepark Circle, Irvine, KA12 9LQ.
Featured: Digest 136, 1.3.
Website links: Ayrshire Central, Irvine Final Plans Consultation.
Deadline: 5 November 2023 (by email to developmentandstrategy@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or by phone).

1.3: Gallowhill, Paisley – proposed one-way system

Council: Renfrewshire.
Area: Gallowhill, Paisley (not to be confused with Garrowhill in the East End of Glasgow).
Subject: Proposed one-way system for a neighbourhood in north-east Paisley. The clockwise loop goes on Montgomery Road/Netherhill Cottages around Gallowhill Primary School. Apparently, it’s to help with bus links (McGills reinstating their 64 route). Presumably, this is due to reduced carriageway width from on-street car parking. Renfrewshire Council also mention road safety benefits and there may be some for cycling. The filtered paths at the northern end of Netherhill Rd help permeability for people cycling, so they’re not disadvantaged. It remains to be seen how local drivers react to the plans and whether the council will implement them (unlike their u-turn on Causeyside St).
Website links: Gallowhill one-way proposals.
Deadline: 10 November 2023 (via email: ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk, phone or in writing).

1.4: North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) UPDATED

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Updated plans for protected cycle lanes using width on Wallacewell Rd, Northgate Rd, Broomfield Rd, Balornock Rd and Red Road. Wallacewell Rd keeps its 1-way ‘soft segregated’ lanes with more on Northgate Rd; 2-way lanes for Broomfield Rd and Red Rd; Balornock Rd gets both (by Springburn Park). Kerbs go in at junctions and some interesting crossings (including to a school). The current roundabout at Northgate Rd becomes a ‘cyclops’-style junction with traffic lights (like those on South City Way/A77 Ayr Rd). This mix of ‘soft segregated’ lanes and kerbed junctions/crossings could be a model for the City Network. However, the black & white ‘armadillos’/‘zebras’ need to be continuous to avoid issues with car parking. Construction is expected to start in early 2024. Next steps include links with a proposed Eastern Springburn active travel route south of Petershill Dr (near the former Red Road flats) and Royston Rd cycle lanes.
Featured: Digest 15, 1.1.
Website links: NEATR Storymap.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (previous consultation took place in 2018 so this new process may just be for info).

1.5: East Kilbride town centre: A new vision

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: A familiar story of changing (online) shopping habits, empty units and redevelopment. Surprisingly, the most recent building, Centre West, is due to be demolished for housing, with a new north-south street put next to it. Other demolitions would create space for a new town square and car parking by the Queensway trunk road. However, there doesn’t seem to be any new crossing to the square or the path along the south of the site. The existing underpasses often have issues with broken glass and poor sight-lines/personal safety. This is why SLC are building segregated on-road cycle lanes on Churchill Avenue (not in the plans). Will the path be upgraded with improved links west near Blacklands Rd or across to Churchill Ave’s 2-way protected lanes? Also, could there be a further north-south link between Brouster Gate and the new square? Drop-in events were in the former Toytown shop, Princes Mall.
Website links: EK consultation boards and EK questionnaire.
Deadline: No obvious deadline but events finished late September.

1.6: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

Company: New Practice (architecture practice).
Subject: Community engagement by the practice where Emma Burke Newman worked. She was killed by an HGV driver while cycling at the George V bridge/Broomielaw junction, near the casino, in February 2023. This consultation is about that junction and two others – Gorbals St at the Clutha Vaults pub and Albert Bridge/Clyde St (by the High Court). NP say: “These junctions are our focus of study as they feel like incidents-waiting-to-happen, and one is the site of Emma’s death.” Diagrams show movements around each junction (and include the council’s plans for the South City Way extension at the Clutha). New Practice carried out previous consultations like George Square and have applied their knowledge to make a user friendly page. “We want to hear your experiences when walking, wheeling, scooting, or as a driver to help inform solutions specific to these locations and create systems for a safer city for us all.”
Featured: Digest 141, 1.7.
Website links: Waiting to Happen consultation page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (but New Practice say they’ll review the submissions and present to councillors).

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Govan-Partick bridge progress

Subject: New pedestrian-cycle bridge under construction between Water Row, Govan and Pointhouse Quay, Yorkhill (with active travel links via the underpass at Ferry Rd towards Partick). As mentioned elsewhere on GoBike’s website, the main part of the bridge span has arrived (from the Netherlands). We have to wait until next year until the rest is installed and opened.
Featured: Govan Cross consultation.
Website links: Govan to Partick bridge – major progress.

2.2: Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – October 2023

Organisation: Multiplex.
Subject: The new campus development continues with the demolition of one of the last remaining parts of the Western Infirmary. Hard landscaping around the Adam Smith building is due to complete in November. Will it be done in time for the public engagement event to be held there on Thursday 2 November 2023 (5.30pm – 8pm)?
Website links: Campus Newsletter October 2023.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Subject: Traffic Management Scheme (speed tables/humps) for Menteith Ave & Springfield Rd, Bishopbriggs – deadline: 3 November 2023.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

Subject: A TRO for bus/taxi/cycle lanes on Paisley Rd West (by Bellahouston Park) – deadline: 3 November 2023.
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Subject: A TRO about reducing speed limits on/near the A89 in Bargeddie – deadline: 15 November 2023.
Website links: North Lanarkshire A89 TRO.

As the engine revving goes on in Westminster, active travel consultations continue in the West of Scotland. One is for infrastructure that could be seen as levelling up for the North(-East of Glasgow). There’s more voting in the East End and Southside as locals have a say in how to spend funding. There are other city plans and town centre transformations in South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

Apologies this issue was late – a lot on just now…

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow Transport Strategy – Spatial Delivery Framework
2. Your Citizen Voice: Calton & Greater Pollok
3. Local Development Plan for North Lanarkshire (Participation)
4. Connecting Battlefield Phase 1 (Queens Drive and Langside Road TRO)
5. Our Johnstone (Town Centre consultation)
6. Connecting Woodside – Phase 2 (St George’s Road)
7. North East Active Travel Routes
8. East Kilbride town centre: A new vision
9. Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City centre secure cycle parking
2. Duke St Avenue update

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Ayrshire TROs
2. East Dunbartonshire TROs
3. Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

1.1: Glasgow Transport Strategy – Spatial Delivery Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: A second attempt at this consultation, which seemed to have a false start last month (and still has a broken link to the Transport Strategy – fixed below). The Spatial Delivery Framework covers some important parts of the strategy, especially the Bus Priority Corridors and Active Travel Network, which may conflict on some key routes. Also, Mobility Hubs, Freight Hubs, Road Hierarchy and the Environmental Report. Online sessions with stakeholders are taking place during September and early October.
Website links: Spatial Delivery Framework survey and Glasgow Transport Strategy information.
Deadline: 12 October 2023.

1.2: Your Citizen Voice: Calton & Greater Pollok

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: A chance for citizens to vote on proposals that came out of an earlier phase of consultation. Just over 500 people took part in the ‘Greater Pollok’ consultation while less than 200 did in Calton. Maybe as a result of that, the Pollok suggestions are more varied –often about upgrading and adding facilities – while the Calton ones are mostly about basic maintenance and CCTV. This process may not deliver much new infrastructure in these areas but it has potential to do so when rolled out elsewhere.
Website links: YCV Calton webpage and YCV Pollok webpage.
Deadline: 13 October 2023.

1.3: Local Development Plan for North Lanarkshire (Participation)

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: NLC say: “The LDP… sets out the policies and proposals for future land use and development in North Lanarkshire. For example, it will guide where new housing, business and infrastructure will be located. …we want to make sure everyone with an interest can get involved. To help with this, we have prepared a draft Participation Statement.”
But, since the Participation Statement is a PDF file: “Accessibility: These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please contact us to request an accessible format.” Sigh…
Website links: NLLDP2: Participation Statement Survey.
Deadline: 13 October 2023.

1.4: Connecting Battlefield Phase 1 (Queens Drive and Langside Road TRO)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: A belated return for this extension to the South City Way. Last time, it had one-way lanes and went down Grange Rd. A lot seems to have happened since, including various comments by residents in Queen’s Drive. So, now there’s a two-way cycleway on the western side of Langside Rd (avoiding Queen’s Dr on the eastern side). Also, the route stays on Langside Rd instead of going down Grange Rd. After some discussion with GCC during Stage 1 of this TRO, we received the following:
“The proposed… Bi-directional cycle lanes on Langside to the monument are an addition to the project. I can confirm the cycle lanes towards the Battlefield monument will not replace the cycle lanes towards the [Battlefield] rest. The Bi-directional cycle lane on Langside to the monument will be constructed using light segregation. To confirm the cycle[way]s do connect, but for TRO purposes we only show the green hatch on the carriageway. The cycle lanes will join within the large buildout at the junction.” So, it seems we get a bonus lane with more still to come (even later than planned).
Featured: Digest 114, 1.7, Consultation Extra (18 February 2020) and earlier.
Website links: Proposed TRO webpage (original consultation storymap).
Deadline: 14 October 2023.

1.5: Our Johnstone (Town Centre consultation)

Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: Consultation for Johnstone town centre, west of Paisley and Elderslie. The council say: “We want to hear from people who live, work and visit Johnstone Town Centre. This is to help us prioritise improvements, identify growth opportunities and develop a new strategic vision for its future.” There’s an online survey (by Page/Park architects no less) but no further details on any plans so far. There was a day of consultation events on 27 September in and around Houston Square.
Website links: Johnstone town centre article and Our Johnstone online survey.
Deadline: 16 October 2023.

1.6: Connecting Woodside – Phase 2 (St George’s Road)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Updated plans for St George’s Road, between Charing Cross and N Woodside Rd. The 2-way protected cycleway will connect from the existing Avenue on Sauchiehall St and eventually link into existing infra next to Garscube Rd. There are some changes to junctions and new crossings along the route. The plans include the more direct crossing option at Phoenix Rd/Maryhill Rd. Also, there’s a rare sighting of a continuous pavement; at a side access road (with barrier) next to Woodside Library. Nearby is a novel cycle crossing going diagonally across a pedestrian crossing (with bike light phase apparently). Two side roads were already going to be restricted: Clarendon Place will be stopped up (opened at other end) and Glenfarg St will be filtered. Lastly, a cycle maintenance station has been added to the plans between Grant St and W Princes St (handy for the M8 off-ramp!).
Featured: Digest 121 (1.13).
Website links: St George’s Rd ‘Storymap’ (link fixed now), Connecting Woodside webpage (PDF drawings under St George’s Rd heading) and St George’s Rd survey.
Deadline: 20 October 2023.

1.7: North East Active Travel Routes

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Updated plans for a stretch of permanent protected cycle lanes on Wallacewell Rd, between Broomfield Rd and Northgate Rd. Wallacewell Rd will keep the ‘soft segregated’ lanes it’s had since before the pandemic. These plans would add permanent infrastructure at junctions and link to neighbouring streets and a school. The current roundabout at Northgate Rd was going to be replaced with a Dutch-style roundabout but will now have a ‘cyclops’-style junction with traffic lights (similar to those on the South City Way and A77 Ayr Rd). It’s good to see best practice being used with Barmulloch’s existing 1-way lanes, which were a template for Spaces for People. The mix of ‘soft segregated’ lanes and kerbed junctions in these plans could be a model for the rest of the City Network. However, the rows of black & white ‘armadillos’/‘zebras’ need to be well fixed down to remain continuous and avoid issues with car parking (see main post image).
Featured: Digest 15, 1.1.
Website links: NEATR Storymap.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (previous consultation took place in 2018 so this new process may just be for info).

1.8: East Kilbride town centre: A new vision

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: The same old story of changing (online) shopping habits, empty units and redevelopment. Surprisingly, the most recent building, Centre West, is due to be demolished for housing, with a new north-south street put next to it. Other demolitions would create space for a new town square and car parking by the Queensway trunk road. However, there doesn’t seem to be any new crossing to the square or the path along the south of the site. The existing underpasses often have issues with broken glass and poor sight-lines/personal safety. This is why SLC are building segregated on-road cycle lanes on Churchill Avenue (not in the plans). Will the path be upgraded with improved links west near Blacklands Rd or across to Churchill Ave’s 2-way protected lanes? Also, could there be a further north-south link between Brouster Gate and the new square? Drop-in events were in the former Toytown shop, Princes Mall.
Website links: EK consultation boards and EK questionnaire.
Deadline: No obvious deadline but events finished late September.

1.9: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

Company: New Practice (architecture practice).
Subject: Community engagement by the practice where Emma Burke Newman worked. She was killed by an HGV driver while cycling at the George V bridge/Broomielaw junction, near the casino, in February 2023. This consultation is about that junction and two others – Gorbals St at the Clutha Vaults pub and Albert Bridge/Clyde St (by the High Court). NP say: “These junctions are our focus of study as they feel like incidents-waiting-to-happen, and one is the site of Emma’s death.” Diagrams show movements around each junction (and include the council’s plans for the South City Way extension at the Clutha). New Practice carried out previous consultations like George Square and have applied their knowledge to make a user friendly page. “We want to hear your experiences when walking, wheeling, scooting, or as a driver to help inform solutions specific to these locations and create systems for a safer city for us all.”
Featured: Digest 141, 1.7.
Website links: Waiting to Happen consultation page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (but New Practice say they’ll review the submissions and present to councillors).

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City centre secure cycle parking

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Secure cycle parking pilot scheme run by Cyclehoop (called Trips). It officially launched on 28 Sept with 20 city centre Bikehangars, like the units in many residential areas (but some painted in UCI stripes). You book a space using their mobile phone app, which also locks/unlocks the unit via Bluetooth (apparently, the unit’s batteries are very efficient and replaced regularly). Prices vary by time, similar to car parking charges (but much cheaper – for example, 30p for up to an hour). While not ideal for people without a smartphone the benefit is detailed data about usage. That will be important as this seems to be the first scheme of its kind in Scotland (if not the UK).
Featured: Digest 98, 1.2 (indirectly related).
Website links: Cyclehoop short term parking page.

2.2: Duke St Avenue update

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: An ‘Avenues Plus’ route, due to go between High St and Bellgrove St. The summer consultation had two options – putting the 2-way cycleway on either the northern or southern side of Duke St. The team had a stall at the secure cycle parking event and confirmed Option 1 has won. So, the bike lanes will be on the southern, Calton side of Duke St (which the designers told us they preferred at a previous consultation event!). While this option will simplify the junction at High St, it will present issues joining and leaving the 2-way lanes at the edge of Dennistoun. Duke St is Sustrans-funded and expected to start construction in 2024 but isn’t due to be complete until 2026. The cycleway on George St is part of the City Deal plans for George Sq and won’t start until later into 2024/2025. In the meantime, the Meatmarket development is due to build a path between Reidvale St and Melbourne St. Neighbouring ‘Calton Village’ will add a filter at Armour St to make a potential ‘Quietway’-style alternative route to Bell St in the Merchant City.
Featured: Digest 137, 1.5.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Ayrshire TROs

Subject: TRO for road humps on Dean Road, Kilmarnock – deadline: 13 October 2023. 

3.2: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Subject: Traffic Management Scheme (speed tables/humps) for Menteith Ave & Springfield Rd, Bishopbriggs – deadline: 3 November 2023.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.3: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

Subject: As above, TROs for South Portland St and Queens Drive and Langside Road plus the traffic management order for Riverside and Merchant City. Also, a TRO for bus/taxi/cycle lanes on Paisley Rd West (by Bellahouston Park). The number of emails from GCC suggest there may be many more TROs to follow…
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

As cycling competitions continue, grumbling goes on about temporary closures and restrictions. However, there’s a spotlight on permanent issues for active travel at junctions around the city. Most poignantly, there’s a fresh look at Broomielaw/Clyde St in memory of Emma Burke Newman. However, in Pollok there’s another rehash of a redesign (with a public event TODAY at 1pm).

There are two South Lanarkshire consultations, one from Ayrshire then the rest are all about Glasgow. One has fine words about urban sport (despite being called CUSS!). Meanwhile, in the East End, a new sporting venue could safeguard a local landmark. Will these count towards the legacy of the 2023 World Championships (and how will that compare to 2014)?

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. Cycling & Urban Sports Strategy (Glasgow)
2. Hairmyres Transport Interchange
3. South Lanarkshire Local Transport Strategy
4. Drumchapel Local Development Framework – Draft
5. Pollok Roundabout Replacement
6. Doon Valley Trail
7. Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

2: Consultation Feedback

1. Meat Market sheds regeneration

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming
3. North Lanarkshire TROs

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

1.1: Cycling & Urban Sports Strategy (Glasgow)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: A draft strategy no doubt timed to coincide with the UCI World Championships coming to Glasgow. Apparently, it ties in with the Active Travel Strategy and Glasgow Transport Strategy. While this isn’t transport, venues like skateparks can become trip generators for the next generation. GCC say: “Cycling, BMX, skateboarding and other wheeled urban sports can play an important role in getting people active and improving their health and wellbeing. This can lead to an increase in active travel (walking, wheeling or cycling) for everyday journeys, helping the city’s transition to net-zero.” This should be music to the ears of the teams behind Clyde Cycle Park and the Devon St Skatepark (formerly GUS M74).
Website links: Cycling & Urban Sports Strategy draft and CUSS survey.
Deadline: 21 August 2023.

1.2: Hairmyres Transport Interchange

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: The first plans for the new Hairmyres train station in East Kilbride. It’s due to be moved a few hundred metres west, to Redwood Drive, where there’s more space for access and park & ride. The new location has an old stone footbridge which is being demolished. SLC say: “There is also provision of connections to the wider active travel networks as well as a new active travel bridge over the upgraded rail line and secure cycle storage at the station building areas.” That sounds promising but there’s no sign of any segregated bike lanes on Redwood Dr or Eaglesham Rd yet (although they are included in EK’s Active Travel Network plan). Also, there’s no link to the north-east towards K-Woodlands or Peel Park industrial estate. The plans are a Proposal of Application Notice from SLC for consultation (like a draft, ahead of a final plan).
Website links: Hairmyres Transport Interchange webpage and Hairmyres TI survey (3 pages).
Deadline: 25 August 2023.

1.3: South Lanarkshire Local Transport Strategy

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: SLC’s previous 10-year Local Transport Strategy came out in 2013. They say: “The new strategy will set the future direction for the council’s approach to the development and upkeep of the transport infrastructure and policy within the area. The strategy will also set out how the council will contribute to the delivery of the obligations set out in the National and Regional Transport Strategies and other key policy drivers.” Policies would include active travel and sustainability. SLC have AT network maps for all its towns but also built dual carriageways in recent years. Locals protested against the Cathkin Relief Road in Cambuslang and received compensation. East Kilbride has had the questionable dualling of Greenhills Rd and proposals for Stewartfield Way plus upgrades due to Hairmyres and East Kilbride train stations. The Clydesdale STAG covers roads, active travel, bus and rail proposals, including two potential station re-openings (Law and Symington).
Website links: Local Transport Strategy 2024-2034 webpage and LTS 2024-2034 survey (quite long).
Deadline: 1 Sept 2023.

1.4: Drumchapel Local Development Framework – Draft

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Consultation to “inform the final Local Development Framework (LDF) for Drumchapel, a document which will recommend coordinated short, medium and long-term activity to deliver the area’s future development and regeneration. Some examples of the development types the LDF considers include housing, facilities, shops, public spaces, transport infrastructure, parks and play areas. Information from engagement with the local community from late 2021 until the autumn of 2022 assisted in the development of the current draft Drumchapel LDF. The final version of the LDF will help address regeneration challenges and… development opportunities.”
Featured: Digest 102, 1.12.
Website links: Drumchapel LDF page and LDF survey.
Deadline: 5 Sept 2023.

1.5: Pollok Roundabout Replacement

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Replacement for Pollok roundabout (Peat Road, Barrhead Rd and Braidcraft Rd). It’s a collision blackspot and barrier to active travel near Silverburn shopping centre. The consultation mentions safety and active travel. However, the aims are all about reducing journey times for cars and buses (design funded by SPT). The proposal would replace the current three-ring circus of a roundabout with an even more complex signal-controlled double junction (add your own clown joke!). The plan has nine lanes on Barrhead Rd and would require six crossings to get from one side to the other. If each had a 2-minute wait (optimistic), plus the walk in the middle, it may take 15 minutes or more for pedestrians to cross the road(s). There’s no segregated cycling infrastructure, possibly as plans date from 2016, before updated Cycling by Design guidance.
Information Day: TODAY from 1–7 pm at Pollok Civic Realm, Cowglen Road.
Website links: Pollok Roundabout plans and Pollok Roundabout survey.
Deadline: 21 September 2023.

1.6: Doon Valley Trail

Organisation: Ayrshire Roads Alliance.
Subject: An active travel route between the southern outskirts of Ayr, South Ayrshire (near Ailsa Hospital) and Loch Doon, East Ayrshire. ARA say: “The project is currently at Phase 1 (Preparation & Brief), which includes the identification of a project Study Area and the key Constraints and Opportunities located within. The purpose of this public consultation is to inform the public of the project and to invite feedback on the project Study Area, the Constraints and Opportunities located within and any other features that the Design Team should consider.” Unfortunately, the three public events already took place in early August (in Dalrymple, Patna and Dalmellington). However, there’s an interactive map to comment on and an email address for comments.
Website links: Doon Valley Trail public consultation page and Doon Valley interactive map.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.7: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

Company: New Practice (architecture practice).
Subject: Community engagement by the practice where Emma Burke Newman worked. She was killed by an HGV driver while cycling at the George V bridge/Broomielaw junction, near the casino, in February 2023. This consultation is about that junction and two others – Gorbals St at the Clutha Vaults pub and Albert Bridge/Clyde St (by the High Court). NA say: “These junctions are our focus of study as they feel like incidents-waiting-to-happen, and one is the site of Emma’s death.” Diagrams show movements around each junction (and include the council’s plans for the South City Way extension at the Clutha). New Practice carried out previous consultations like George Square and have applied their knowledge to make a user friendly page. “We want to hear your experiences when walking, wheeling, scooting, or as a driver to help inform solutions specific to these locations and create systems for a safer city for us all.”
Website links: Waiting to Happen consultation page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (but New Practice say they’ll review the submissions and present to councillors).

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Meat Market sheds regeneration

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: News that GCC have approved a pre-lease of 25 years for the historic sheds near Bellgrove St. It’s with the new Meat Market Heritage Trust (which includes members of Milnbank Housing Association). The Trust plans to develop a community sports hub, office space and a park at the site. The area between the flats and sheds is already due to have new paths and a playpark as part of the current 251-flat Meatmarket development. If the Trust can attract funding then the new plans should extend that area between Bellgrove St and Melbourne St/Armour St. On the other side of the railway at Gallowgate there are 254 new homes under construction for ‘Calton Village’ (between Melbourne St and Barrack St). The developments should make the area between Morrisons and Reidvale St more vibrant and more permeable (if not as directly as in pre-2008 plans).
Website links: Meat Market sheds article (Glasgow Times).

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Subject: Clachan of Campsie waiting restrictions (yellow lines). Deadline: 22 August 2023.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: TROs for further School Streets (seven locations).
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Areas: Cumbernauld.
Subject: Roadside, Cumbernauld – Installation of Environmental Improvements (Roadside is the name of a street in the north-east of the town). The improvements are mostly speed cushions and traffic islands.
Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

After a few issues led by other areas, Glasgow strikes back in this edition. A report on the City Network Delivery Plan offers new hope. Also, the former city ‘Cycling Village’ lands with new proposals (phase map shown, above – sadly the event for it has just passed). Elsewhere in the West End, there’s a Glasgow Uni event about its campus coming soon (see below).

Also, there are projects from South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire plus reports from Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and East Renfrewshire.

Forthcoming events

Uni of Glasgow Campus Development – Community Engagement Event:
Tuesday, 9 May 2023, 17:30 – 20:00.
Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8TB.
Register via Eventbrite.

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. Westerhill Regeneration Area Framework Masterplan
2. Clydesdale Active Travel studies
3. Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove
4. Improving Southholm Roundabout (Erskine)
5. North Woodside Road consultation
6. East Renfrewshire Third Local Development Plan
7. East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4
8. North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3
9. North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey
10. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan
11. Devon Street Urban Park

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City Network – Delivery Plan (Phase 1)
2. Causeyside Street Regeneration – dropped
3. City Centre District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs) approved by Council
4. Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – April 2023

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City Traffic Calming
3. North Lanarkshire TROs

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

1.1: Westerhill Regeneration Area Framework Masterplan

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Area: Regeneration area, north-east of Westerhill Rd, Bishopbriggs (around Low Moss prison).
Subject: First public consultation on plans for Westerhill. The good news is plans already include walking and cycling paths. The existing Wester Way off-road path, parallel to Westerhill Rd, currently stops near the former Aviva offices. It seems to link to paths in the proposed plan but it’s not clear what the junctions or path widths would be like.
Website links: Westerhill Framework Masterplan.
Deadline: 16 May 2023.

1.2: Clydesdale Active Travel studies

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Area: Clydesdale/Clyde Valley split into three (quite arbitrary) regions: North-west (Lesmahagow/Douglas), North-east (Carstairs/Biggar) and South (Abington/Leadhills). They miss out Carluke and Lanark, as these towns already have Active Travel studies.
Subject: Consultation on draft Active Travel Studies for each of the three areas (by Aecom). The M74/NCN74 corridor runs through the north-east and south areas but not all villages have paths to it. Recent active travel projects by the council in Clydesdale include Carstairs and Leadhills. Also, Leadhills is part of a joint active travel project to connect it to Wanlockhead, Dumfries & Galloway. Further links between routes in South Lanarkshire, D&G and Borders are part of the Clydesdale Way project.
Website links: Clydesdale Active Travel studies webpage.
Featured: Digest 129, Item 1.1.
Deadline: 19 May 2023.

1.3: Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: Phase 1 – Yorkhill North; Phase 2 – Yorkhill South; Phase 3 – Kelvingrove; Phase 4 – Corunna St & Minerva St.
Subject: Formerly ‘Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village’ – still funded by Spaces for Everyone. Phase 1 proposals show a bi-directional cycletrack from Kelvin Way on Radnor St, Haugh Rd, Gilbert St and Sandyford St. The Gilbert/Sandyford corner links to a path to Centurion Way, the 2-way lanes on Ferry Rd (separate City Deal project) and the Expressway underpass to NCN7. Yorkhill St links south to Kelvinhaugh St and north to Old Dumbarton Rd (also City Deal). There are public realm improvements, new crossings and a new cycle hire station on Kelvinhaugh St. Most of this looks promising although it’s a 2-way cycletrack so could be tricky to join or leave (especially at diagonal crossing from Radnor St to Haugh Rd). It passes opposite Bike for Good and Dockyard Social (maybe partly to avoid loading vans). Also, expect issues with car parking (used by visitors to the SEC, SWG3 and Finnieston).
Featured: Digest 107, 1.11.
Website links: Connecting Yorkhill & Kelvingrove storymap.
Deadline: 21 May 2023.

1.4: Improving Southholm Roundabout (Erskine)

Council: Renfrewshire.
Area: Old Greenock Rd/A726 junction south of Erskine.
Subject: Revisiting one of the junctions from the Erskine junction safety consultation. Results were in favour of action to improve road safety. Southholm Roundabout is set amongst trees on the edge of town but hemmed in on the south-west by a low stone wall. There may be enough space for a proper Dutch-style roundabout (as speed limit is changing to 30mph). These tend to be single-lane with a cycle lane in a separate outer ring (crossings on each arm leave a gap for cars to stop). However, neither of the two options offers that. One proposal is for a single lane roundabout but it expands the centre instead of pulling the kerblines in. Both options have shared pavements too. Meanwhile, neighbouring East Renfrewshire’s Dutch-style roundabout at Malletsheugh on A77 is under construction. However, at least the options don’t follow comments on local councillors Facebook page calling for more lanes.
Featured: Digest 125, 1.2.
Website links: Improving Southholm Roundabout: Concept Designs.
Deadline: 28 May 2023.

1.5: North Woodside Road Consultation

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: This project was started by Websters Theatre in 2020, as part of GCC’s “Animating Spaces” initiative. Now part of Connecting Woodside, it’s back for further consultation. It’s about the stopped up end of North Woodside Rd at Great Western Rd outside the theatre (formerly Lansdowne Church). Active travel is mentioned, as well as a performance space, but there don’t seem to be any formal plans yet. Instead, there’s a survey and postcard.
Featured: Digest 75, Item 1.1.
Website links: N Woodside Rd survey and postcard.
Deadline: 29 May 2023.

1.6: East Renfrewshire Third Local Development Plan

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: ERC are consulting about how best to engage people ahead of the new Local Development documents coming out. “Stage 1: Pre-Engagement Surveys. The first stage is finding out how communities and other stakeholders want to engage on LDP3 preparation and receive updates.”
Website links: East Renfrewshire Third Local Development Plan Commonplace website.
Deadline: 31 May 2023.

1.7: East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Area: West Mains Road at its eastern end, from Creighton Grove to the Priestknowe (Three Bears) roundabout.
Subject: Section of W Mains Rd past housing to link to bike paths on Churchill Ave. There are two options to continue east of the existing 1-way cycletracks (from zebra crossing). Option 1 has a short 2-way cycletrack then shared path, with green space made into a ‘pocket park’ (keeping most parking bays). Option 2 is mostly 2-way cycletrack, except for short breaks at disabled parking bays, then shared path round corner at roundabout. The latter would remove most of the current car parking spaces and convert the grass area into a residents car park. While the council have to keep residents on-side, it’s a bit of a Hobson’s choice between the two options. Also, SLC haven’t addressed links from Creighton Grove up to Hunter Community Health Centre and Andrew St, which need resurfacing/re-signed.
Featured: Digest 110, 2.3.
Website links: East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4 webpage.
Deadline: 2 June 2023.

1.8: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: First consultation stage for the next Local Development Plan by North Ayrshire. It may be one of the first in Scotland under the new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4 came into force in February 2023). As a result, it should have more emphasis on the environment, including active travel. Getting cycling routes/networks, developer obligations, etc. mentioned in the LDP makes them more likely to be delivered. Also, if developers proposals miss out or go against the LDP, these give people grounds to object and have plans altered or conditions added.
Website links: North Ayrshire LDP3 consultation website.
Deadline: June 28 2023.

1.9: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: Survey and audit data to feed into an Open Space Strategy and other policies. NLC avoid on-street protected cycle lanes, so anything affecting off-street paths could have a big impact on cycling in the county. Areas like the Seven Lochs Wetland Park have cross-border active travel routes (Hogganfield Loch to Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge). NL’s other country parks, Palacerigg (see above) and especially Strathclyde Park, are also havens for active travel. The latter has added and upgraded paths near Bellshill with more of NCN74 due to be re-routed through the park. The council ignored a GoBike suggestion for links between Strathclyde Park, Duchess Park, Ravenscraig and the existing Greenlink route (as part of redevelopment of Airbles Rd). There’s potential for similar links around some of North Lanarkshire’s dozen nature reserves. The consultation has a general survey and one about specific places that are important to visitors or residents.
Website links: Green and open space surveys.
Deadline: 10 July 2023.

1.10: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

Organisation: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
Area: The park ranges from Loch Eck and Loch Goil in the west to Loch Earn and Callander in the east. Also, from Killin and Crianlarich in the north to Balloch in the south (but it misses out Helensburgh and Gare Loch).
Subject: A wide-ranging five year plan for the park. It includes a section on ‘Low Carbon Travel for Everyone’. Cycle routes and active travel are mentioned briefly but most of the section is about buses. That may make sense, considering the size of the park, but it’s still a bit disappointing. There’s already a cycle route from Balloch up the west side of Loch Lomond (and there were plans for an active travel route to Inverarnan as part of A82 works). Active travel paths were extended along the River Goil in 2021 and there seems to be plenty of scope for more.
Website links: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Commonplace site.
Deadline: 19 July 2023.

1.11: Devon Street Urban Park

Organisation: Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS).
Area: Southside between Eglinton St and Pollokshaws Rd.
Subject: Formerly GUS M74, now revised and renamed… “The Devon Street Urban Park project is a proposal from Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS), a community led organisation, that aims to transform an unused area of land under the canopy of the M74 motorway, on the southside of Glasgow, to create a new public urban park and community leisure space.” While the project still involves building a skatepark it seems to have broadened out a bit to gain more community support. There are new partner organisations on board and a new survey to fill in.
Featured: Digest 92, Item 1.14.
Website links: Devon St survey, new GUS website.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network – Delivery Plan (Phase 1)

Subject: An important report from the council about how the City Network will be delivered. The main headline is the phasing and distances planned.
Phase 0 – existing projects: East City Way, Connecting Battlefield, Connecting Woodside, Connecting Yorkhill & Kelvingrove, City Deal: Byres Rd/Sighthill and Flourishing Molendinar.
Phase 1 – City Network Advanced Delivery Areas in the North (24km), South (33km) and Greater Govan (20km). There are no specific timescales except that the network will be done in ten years (or 2030 in some docs).
“GCC are committed to delivering the City Network in partnership with other sustainable transport modes, recognising that there will be occasions where conflicts arise and decisions have to be made with regards specific priorities on key links.” Perhaps including places like Paisley Road West? Further phases will appear in future Digests.
Website links: City Network – Delivery Plan report.

2.2: Causeyside Street Regeneration – dropped

Subject: Plans for a 2-way cycletrack on Causeyside St, Paisley have been dropped by Renfrewshire Council. Businesses in the town centre had reacted negatively to the redevelopment, despite the fact it would’ve kept current car parking spaces. Councillor Kenny MacLaren, said he hadn’t heard “one person speak positively about it”. This Digest has been positive about the lanes linking between Gilmour St station and NCN7 at Canal St. It’s unfortunate this happened while GoBike has been restructuring. We’d ask any members in Renfrewshire who are disappointed by this decision to get involved in our new structure and at our AGM when it’s announced. It’s important to have people ‘on the ground’ to counter campaigns like the petition against the Causeyside St Regeneration.
Featured: Digest 132, Item 2.1
Website links: Cycle lane plans dropped by council.

2.3: City Centre District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs) approved by Council

Area: Cowcaddens, the ‘Learning Quarter’ (around Cathedral St), the Merchant City and Townhead.
Subject: A further four District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs) are approved by Glasgow City Council.“These four DRFs will now become material planning consideration for the city centre. Five [previous] DRFs (the Blythswood, Broomielaw, Central, Sauchiehall/Garnethill and St Enoch districts) have already been approved and are currently being delivered.”
Featured: Digest 128, 1.4.
Website links: Four City Centre DRFs approved by Council.

2.4: Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – April 2023

Subject: Update about works at the new uni campus. This time the focus is the Adam Smith Business School and a community event to update on progress (9 May, see above). Nearby, the redevelopment of Byres Road is making progress up the hill near Torness St.
Website links: Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – April 2023.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Areas: Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Lennoxtown, Milngavie, Milton of Campsie, Torrance, Twechar and Waterside.
Subject: Orders about disabled parking spaces.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City Traffic Calming

Subject: One proposal for the Gaelic School on Berkeley St (deadline: 12 May).
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Areas: Towns and villages throughout the county.
Subject: Part-time 20 miles per hour speed restrictions –many around schools.
NLC have a consultation about parking in Cumbernauld village focussed on locals (asks for name/postcode – ends 22 May). Also, one on Planning and Noise Supplementary Guidance (ends 17 May).
Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

Happy Easter! Things are a bit dead, before numbers rise again after the election, so it’s a chance to bring back consultations that slipped through the net in the last few months. The 12 local authorities in the Strathclyde area don’t always let us know what they’re up to!

This issue features East Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire for the first time in a while. North Ayrshire and Inverclyde still have consultations open. Also, regulars like Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. The latter had a consultation that fell between Digest issues (see featured image, above) and sent a new update on NCN74.

Also, ahead of the local elections, check out Walk, Wheel, Cycle, Vote and consider a trip to Edinburgh for Pedal on Parliament‘s new route on 23 April (just after Earth Day).

Forthcoming consultation

Grassyards Road: Temporary cycle route extension (to MacKenzie Drive, Kilmarnock). Expected early May 2022 (presumably after the local elections).

Contents
(new/updated items in bold – link jumps to article)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. City Centre Campus/‘Learning Quarter’ (People-First infrastructure)
2. Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods
3. Ardrossan Harbour Consultation
4. Drumchapel Local Development Framework
5. Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

1. Foregate Square/James Shaw Lane, Kilmarnock (Temp. Pedestrian and Cycle Zone) TRO
2. Active & Sustainable Travel Strategy and Action Plan (ASTSAP), West Dunbartonshire
3. Churchill Ave route (& Cornwall St), East Kilbride
4. NCN74 Bothwell/Uddingston
5. East Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2 formally adopted

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

1.1: City Centre Campus/‘Learning Quarter’ (People-First infrastructure)

Organisation: Stantec on behalf of a partnership between University of Strathclyde, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow City Council.
Area: Townhead/Cathedral St area, north-east of city centre.
Subject: Consultation on the so-called ‘Learning Quarter’ where many streets are due to be in the city’s Avenues Project, including Cathedral St and North Hanover St. The campus project would link between those to the universities and college. Firstly, the Western Route includes steep Montrose St, as it goes past Strathclyde Uni’s ‘Heart of the Campus’ (Rottenrow Gardens). There’s another hill past City of Glasgow College towards Buchanan Bus Station. Secondly, the Eastern Route would connect to Rottenrow East and link to Avenues Plus routes on George St and John Knox St. Thirdly, the Northern Route goes from Cathedral St east of the college towards the new Sighthill Bridge. The survey asks about different options for streets on the routes. Stakeholder workshops will take place after Easter.
First featured: Digest 74, Item 2.1.
Website links: Public Engagement Web Hub.
Deadline: 8 May 2022.

1.2: Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: From Yorkhill, Kelvinhaugh, Stobcross, Sandyford, Finnieston to Anderston.
Subject: The latest Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation covers the area between the River Clyde, River Kelvin, Kelvingrove Park and M8. Popular active travel infrastructure in the area includes NCN7/75 and the West City Way. Also, the (almost finished?) lanes funded by City Deal on Bunhouse Rd and Old Dumbarton Rd. Further segregated cyclepaths are due for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village. These include Minerva St and Haugh Rd (where Bike for Good have their West hub). However, there are still plenty of gaps, as shown when the riverbank was shut during COP26. A new bridge across the Clyde at the Riverside Museum is due to start construction. Meanwhile, the SEC’s redevelopment may close off the red ‘smartie tube’ bridge at Exhibition Centre station. The M8 motorway remains a barrier to destinations like the Mitchell Library and Anderston station.
First featured: Digest 107, Item 1.11.
Website links: Yorkhill to Anderston LN (Commonplace).
Deadline: June 2022.

1.3: Ardrossan Harbour Consultation

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Ardrossan Harbour and ferry terminal redevelopment “…will improve the facilities and operations at Ardrossan to meet the additional capacity provided by the MV Glen Sannox.” The much-delayed ferry is due to enter service later in 2022. Part of the proposals are about active travel routes into the site. The consultation interface is 3D but the plans are squashed into slides from a presentation. There seem to be walking and cycling lanes into both the west side (Harbour Rd) and east side (behind the Housing Association building). The presentation also mentions cycle parking, which may be at the south-west corner of the terminal. However, the plans are very hard to read. The cycle lanes should link into the Ardrossan Connections project in the town. Despite some reaction against the project in the local paper and a petition, it has held consultation events in March/April.
First featured: Digest 109, Item 1.5.
Website links: Ardrossan Harbour Consultation page and Ardrossan Harbour survey.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.4: Drumchapel Local Development Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The latest framework consultation, following previous strategic ones for Glasgow North, ‘Inner East’, etc. Drumchapel is known as one of the ‘big four’ post-war council housing estates (along with Castlemilk, Easterhouse and Pollok). The Drumchapel Cycle Hub is based near the sports centre but there’s very little cycling infrastructure around the area. The map has made it past 25 comments.
First featured: Digest 102, Item 1.12.
Website links: Drumchapel Commonplace map, Drumchapel survey link and background.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.5: Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Council: Inverclyde.
Subject: A Spaces for People temporary route between Greenock town centre and a coastal park. A recent council vote was 9:2 in favour of keeping the lanes for another six months, with a further review in September. Photos in the consultation survey show a mixture of on-road ‘soft’ segregation and painted lanes on footways and across side roads. While some of the junction and bus stop treatments may not be ideal, there seem to be decent protected sections too.
Website links: Greenock Town Centre to Battery Park – Community Engagement and Inverclyde Now article on council vote.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Foregate Square/James Shaw Lane, Kilmarnock (Temporary Pedestrian and Cycle Zone) TRO

Council: East Ayrshire (via Ayrshire Roads Alliance).
Subject: A TRO from a few months ago, which extends the previous Spaces for People scheme (which your author missed – apologies). James Shaw Lane has a taxi rank and car parking beside a multi-storey car park. It leads to Foregate Square at the Burns Mall Shopping Centre and the bus station (with links to pedestrianised King St). The Order bans general car traffic but allows Blue Badge holders, taxis and some loading. The council SfP page shows the painted treatment and signage at the tarmac end of James Shaw Ln. However, Google StreetView images (see above) suggest there’s an issue with enforcement. The multi-storey car park is due to be closed and demolished later this year. The new Order came into force on 24 February 2022.
Website links: Foregate Sq/James Shaw Ln TRO and Foregate Sq/James Shaw Ln plan.

2.2: Active & Sustainable Travel Strategy and Action Plan (ASTSAP), West Dunbartonshire

Council: West Dunbartonshire.
Subject: A new Active & Sustainable Travel Strategy consultation sadly finished in March. Unfortunately, GoBike don’t hear much from West Dunbartonshire Council (unlike East Dunbartonshire, where we’re Stage 1 consultees). The strategy’s website does mention networks of active travel routes but doesn’t mention standards like the revised Cycling by Design. As the graphic shows, there’s an emphasis on electric vehicles over active travel. However, it does at least mention an e-bike charging network. There is some good active travel infrastructure in West Dumbartonshire, like the Bowline. But, as in most council areas, they lack protected everyday routes outside the National Cycle Network. This includes tourist destinations like the car-centric Loch Lomond Shores. WDC share some transport and environmental functions with East Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde councils. Inverclyde recently posted a Shared Services update on behalf of the local authorities.
Website link: Active & Sustainable Travel Strategy and Action Plan site, Results of Strategy Consultation (Phase 1 PDF), ASTSAP Appendix A (Emissions PDF), ASTSAP Appendix B (Sustainable Travel. PDF).

2.3: Churchill Ave route (& Cornwall St), East Kilbride

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: This consultation came up between Digests (with a deadline the day before the next one!). The route starts on Cornwall St and should solve some of the issues going east at the taxi rank. The segregated 2-way cycletracks go north on Churchill Avenue towards West Mains Rd and Aldi. The rest of the route goes south-east, where it links with an existing path towards South Lanarkshire College. An alternative route under the roundabout avoids the double road crossing but the new route doesn’t connect directly to it. Perhaps due to concerns about underpasses, from college students/staff at the consultation workshop. While the above route uses verges, it would change some kerblines and require roadworks. W Mains Rd’s Places for Everyone project drew criticism for that so there may be more flak to come. W Mains Rd is due further work to build a protected junction at Torrance Rd.
First featured: Digest 102, Item 1.4.
Website link: Churchill Ave proposal 1 (PDF), Churchill Ave proposal 2 (PDF), Churchill Ave proposal 3 (PDF) and EK town centre network phasing.

2.4: NCN74 Bothwell/Uddingston

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Also in South Lanarkshire, GoBike member Denny passed on a response from the council about re-routing NCN74 between the Raith Interchange and Uddingston. SLC said: “the proposed rerouting and improvement designs will shortly be going out to Public Consultation.” Also: “construction has started on an off-road section between North British Road and Bellshill Road. This path will now incorporate a 3m wide cycle lane accompanied by a 2m wide pedestrian pavement. It is anticipated that this work will be completed by 15 April 2022, weather depending.” This section was already a popular off-road path so the extra width should help avoid conflicts between people.

2.5: East Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2 formally adopted

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: East Ren’s new Local Development Plan finally made it over the finishing line. Following consultation, going to the Scottish Government Reporter, then Scottish Ministers (as we last heard in Digest 102, 2.5). ERC emailed: “As of 31st March 2022, the East Renfrewshire Local Development Plan 2 is now formally adopted.”
First featured: Digest 47, Item 1.5 (response: Digest 49, 1.3).
Website link: East Renfrewshire LDP2 page.

The Digest will take a break and return in May.

Around the north of the city, plans for Maryhill Road’s squinty crossing are dwarfed by proposals for Canniesburn Toll roundabout in East Dumbartonshire.

In the city centre, another Bank Holiday building fire means the road is fenced off on High St at the junction of George St/Duke St.

The Scottish Parliament election has passed but it’s still a bit quiet on the consultations front. However, there are plenty of temporary and permanent projects going on so we have another Infrastructure Update. Most of them are in the city but East Kilbride is also getting in on the Spaces for People action.

Infrastructure Update

• Benalder St, Glasgow is having a cycleway installed over the River Kelvin after works on nearby Bunhouse Rd and Old Dumbarton Rd (for Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Cycling Village).
• Cambridge St, Glasgow – Spaces for People cycle lanes are up and running (including bike traffic lights at Renfrew St).
• East City Way phase 1 at London Rd/Mount Vernon may be nearly there – see 3.1, below.
• East Kilbride has Spaces for People lanes installed between EK train station and shopping centre (via Brouster Hill) including double decker planters on Cornwall St.
• Garscube Rd segregated lanes, for the Connecting Woodside project, have almost reached new bike traffic lights at Firhill St (installed but not put into service yet).
• George Square gets planter boxes and outdoor seating (mostly for The Counting House).
• Royston Rd, Glasgow – work started on Spaces for People lanes.

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order 2021, (ends 18 June)
2. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion
3. East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll Signalisation Study
4. North Lanarkshire Council – Town Hubs location surveys
5. Glasgow Urban Sports – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park survey

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Glasgow City Council – Pollok pop-up lanes consultation (Spaces for People)

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – East City Way Phase 1 (London Dr to Daldowie Rd) Order 2021
2. Glasgow City Council – London Road and Hamilton Road (30mph Speed Limit) Order 2021
3. Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus, May newsletter
4. Urban Roots – Malls Mire, April Newsletter

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order 2021

This traffic order has a long title for a short stretch of junction. It creates a diagonal cycle crossing on Maryhill Rd between the two filtered sections of N Woodside Rd. This is part of the wider Connecting Woodside project (which is installing other squinty crossings on Garscube Rd).

The accompanying report says it includes “the installation of a signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing at the junction of Maryhill Road, North Woodside Road and Hopehill Road”. It also restricts people cycling on the crossing from turning onto Maryhill Rd midway across. Presumably, in an effort to protect pedestrians who may be crossing alongside bikes.

The eastern side will have a 2-way cycle carriageway (according to the very small annotation, above). The order also prohibits motor vehicles from using the new cycle carriageway (the current road has been used for car parking).

There are the usual documents: TRO plan, TRO report, TRO press notice and (short) TRO statement of reasons. The deadline for responses is Friday, 18 June 2021.

1.2: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (11 May – 28 Sept)

This item came up just before publication and we’ll no doubt have more to say about it. However, for now, we’ll just highlight the online events starting on 18 May (for the Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie, Haughhead and Clachan of Campsie areas). There are about a dozen online events in the next few months for different areas (using MS Teams). Paper forms are also available from local libraries.

See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. EDC have set up an online map to gather suggestions, with links to highlight paths, etc. in the area. This consultation will feed into a new Active Travel Strategy later in the year.

1.3: East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll Signalisation Study

Canniesburn Toll is a main junction between Bearsden and Glasgow, which links Switchback Rd and Drymen Rd to the A81 (Maryhill Rd/Milgavie Rd). East Dunbartonshire Council is going to add traffic lights and pedestrian crossings around the roundabout itself. At the same time EDC are proposing to add a cycle lane (using space gained by removing pavement around the centre of roundabout).

There are two options being put forward for the bike lane – one on the carriageway and one on the footway. While it’s good that EDC is looking at cycling infrastructure again (after ignoring Spaces for People), there are some obvious issues with both options.

Option 1, on the carriageway, seems to give priority for people cycling round the edge of the roundabout. However, there’s an obvious risk of a ‘left hook’ collision, when cycling ahead from cars turning left across your path.

Option 2, on the footway, should be safer but slower with multiple waits at traffic lights to cross each arm of the roundabout.

It’s not clear if either option is trying to recreate a Dutch roundabout, which tend to be smaller, single-lane roundabouts with a cycle lane in a separate ring outside it (leaving a gap for cars to stop on each arm). There may not be enough space all the way around the roundabout to add bike lanes further out. However, there is a huge area in the middle of it.

The Canniesburn Toll consultation website has background info and a link to the survey, which takes general feedback and for each option. It’s apparently had a few technical issues which the consultants (Stantec) say are being resolved. If you have any issues with it you could try emailing canniesburntoll@stantec.com. There’s no obvious closing date for this one. However, a ‘Technical Note‘ by EDC for their councillors says detailed design will start in June 2021.

1.4: North Lanarkshire Council – Town Hubs location surveys

As covered in Digest 85, Item 1.2. The Hubs are about creating community facilities through school refurbishments (or other redevelopment). While not strictly about cycling, the new hubs should be accessible by bike/active travel. The areas involved are: Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Motherwell, ‘Northern Corridor’ (Chryston), Shotts and Wishaw.

Each area is covered in one of the videos on the consultation webpage. You can watch them on the page or by clicking the red link to open them in a new tab/window. There are also videos at the foot of the page explaining the thinking behind the project. Each area has a link to a survey to give your views. There’s no obvious closing date for this one.

1.5: GUS – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park survey

First covered in Digest 81, Item 1.9, the GUSM74 skate park would transform an area under the motorway near West St underground station. The GUSM74 survey is still open for BMX riders, skaters, or their families, to have their say.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1: Glasgow City Council – Pollok pop-up lanes consultation (Spaces for People)

The city council added pop-up cycle lanes in Pollok on Braidcraft Rd and Brockburn Rd (as mentioned in the Spaces for People Update in Digest 84). As in other areas, the new lanes used ‘soft segregation’ (black & white ‘zebras’). They generated a lot of discussion on social media, especially Facebook. A Facebook post by Cllr David McDonald talked about a future GCC consultation. It was apparently due to start on 7 May but there doesn’t seem to be any further information so far.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council – East City Way Phase 1 (London Dr to Daldowie Rd) Order 2021

This was covered in Digest 80, Item 1.5 with further responses in Digest 82, 3.1. GCC have emailed to confirm it’s going ahead as proposed. Hopefully, this and the image in the Infrastructure Update, mean the first phase is just about complete.

3.2: Glasgow City Council – London Road and Hamilton Road (30mph Speed Limit) Order 2021

This order has gone hand-in-hand with the above since Digest 80, Item 1.6. It’s also been approved. Both orders were made on 30th April 2021 with adverts in the Evening Times on 6th May 2021.

3.3: Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus, May newsletter

Quick off the mark this month are Multiplex with their May newsletter about the Glasgow Uni campus redevelopment.

3.4: Urban Roots – Malls Mire, April Newsletter

First covered in Digest 74, Item 3.4, we’re a wee bit late with the April newsletter. Apparently some paths may be rerouted to allow work to take place. On the plus side, the bike pump track is looking good!