Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** SCVO charity awards, vote for Living Streets Pavement Parking Campaign online, closes 04 September
2. Glasgow City Council, Hermiston Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 08 September
3. Glasgow City Council, Muirhead Road (Baillieston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
4. Glasgow City Council, Newlands Park Area Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
5. South Lanarkshire Council, Hamilton, Abercorn Drive and Chestnut Crescent, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September
6. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Auchinleck Avenue, Robroyston, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 17 September
7. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Drive, Pollokshields, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 17 September
8. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Park Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 22 September
   **Additional Item: Glasgow City Council response on Traffic Calming**
9. Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, online survey, closes 30 September
10. UK Department of Transport, Review of the Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. South Lanarkshire Council, East Kilbride cycling routes
2. Glasgow City Council, Transport Strategy, City Centre Transformation Strategy and Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan consultation commences 21 September
3. North Lanarkshire Council, new roads to Ravenscraig

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. GoBike Digest Survey results
2. Glasgow City Council, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming, 1 year on
3. North Lanarkshire Council, New Road Plans on the Agenda!
4. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan Newsletter No 58
5. Glasgow City Council, Renewal of Planning Consent, Glasgow Harbour, initial response
6. Scottish Government, Response to Town Centre Action Plan Review submission
7. Glasgow City Council, Govan Partick Strategic Development Framework consultation update
8. Glasgow City Council, Draft River Strategic Development Framework consultation update

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** SCVO charity awards, vote for Living Streets Pavement Parking Campaign online, closes this Friday, 04 September

GoBike supported moves to ban pavement parking and, as we reported in Digest 65, Item 3.4, we are bitterly disappointed that the new legislation has not yet come into effect. Living Streets played a pivotal role in the campaign for the ban. Tricia is a personal member of Living Streets and here’s the email sent out to the organisation’s members on 17 August:

“Living Streets Scotland’s
pavement parking campaign has been nominated for the SCVO charity awards

Dear member,

Living Streets is thrilled to have been nominated for the SCVO charity awards for our work on pavement parking in Scotland.

The ban in October 2019 was the culmination of over a decade of campaigning by Living Streets Scotland and disability charities, and we could not have done it without your support – thank you!

The Scottish Charity Awards recognise the best of the voluntary sector in Scotland, and our nomination recognises the 10-year campaign led by Living Streets and the Responsible Parking Campaign. 

Now we need your votes!
Members of the public can have their say and vote for their favourite campaign. 

VOTE FOR LIVING STREETS

In the meantime, it is clear that speed cushions are not an effective measure:

• they either push bikes into the gutter or into the centre of the road rather than allowing riders to maintain a primary position on the road
• many current vehicles are so wide that, even as larger and larger speed cushions are used, they can straddle the cushions necessitating only a minimal reduction in speed, if any
• they do not prevent motor drivers using residential streets as rat runs
• they deteriorate, as shown on the feature photo for this Digest and again in Item 3.2 below
• we are not aware of any evidence that speed cushions reduce maximum speeds or make roads safer for people to cross them

The points above plus the prospect of a Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan for Glasgow form the basis of this letter that GoBike has just sent to Glasgow City Council in respect of the 6 schemes and the letter sent to South Lanarkshire Council featured in Item 1.5 below.

1.2 Glasgow City Council, Hermiston Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 08 September

This was included as Item 1.10 in Digest 67 and given that Hermiston Road is just 2 streets to the west of Greenfield Road, also proposed for the speed cushion treatment, see Item 1.8 in Digest 67, which, in turn runs parallel to the main road, Springboig Road, it seems sensible to address this area as a “liveable neighbourhood”, see Item 2.2 below. Both roads are being used as alternatives to Springboig Road and we suggest that a series of modal filters be installed to prevent motor traffic using the area as a short cut.

1.3 Glasgow City Council, Muirhead Road (Baillieston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

Muirhead Road featured as Item 1.11 in Digest 67 and this is not as obvious a rat run. However, if the road were closed to through motor traffic, apart from buses and emergency vehicles, at the railway station, then the road would be quieter. Motor traffic would still have the option of, north of the railway, access via Glasgow Road / Main Street to Glasgow and the motorway system and south of the railway, where there is a lot of residential development, access to Glasgow and the motorway system via Boghall Road. Significant amounts of public money have been spent on motorway construction in this area and motor traffic should be directed towards it.

1.4 Glasgow City Council, Newlands Park Area Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

The Newlands Park scheme was Item 1.12 in Digest 67 and is presumably proposed to stop vehicles speeding as they try to cut through from Merrylee Road to Kilmarnock Road. The roads being proposed for speed cushion treatment are Beverley Road, Calderwood Road, Carlaverock Road and Lubnaig Road. This is an affluent area so probably many of the motors will be large enough to glide over the cushions with little, if any, discomfort to the passengers. Reducing traffic overall with a series of modal filters would be a far more fitting solution.

1.5 South Lanarkshire Council, Hamilton, Abercorn Drive and Chestnut Crescent, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September

Digest 67 featured this proposal as Item 1.13 and here’s the link to the details. Last October in Digest 46 we publicised proposals for a modal filter on Silvertonhill Avenue, which we very much supported. However, it seems that the residents do not wish to lose their freedom for uncontrolled road use and the current proposals are for speed cushions and parking restrictions.
The survey is, apparently, limited to local residents, but if you do wish to comment just enter the street you live in and hope to proceed.

Here is the letter of concerned objection that GoBike has submitted today.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Auchinleck Avenue Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 17 September

This area of Robroyston is just to the north of the M80 and the shopping area, with carparks of course, which includes the Robroyston Asda. A vast amount of public money has been spent on the roads in this area, not just the M80, but all the connecting roads such as the new roundabout and all the roads to the south of the motorway, where many new houses are being built. There’s the new station too, but are there cycle lanes to it? Shared footways south of the motorway and nothing to the north of the motorway, which isn’t really the way to encourage active travel. It’s a bit scary on the bike round here.

Even with all the new roads, drivers still want a short cut and are cutting through this residential area. Surely the obvious answer is to get them to use these expensive roads by putting modal filters on these 2 roads?

However, the City Council propose speed cushions and here’s the specific detail from their email of 20 August:

“Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 7 sets of 3 (differing width) speed cushions
• 9 sets of 2 (differing width) speed cushions
• The supply and installation of 32 bollards

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days. 
Please reply directly to LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk.“

The 6 plans attached are:
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals-Section-1-Btwn-roundabout-and-north-of-Cumnock-Rd
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals-Section-2-Btwn-north-of-Cumnock-Rd-and-east-of-Pathead-Gardens
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals-Section-3-Btwn-west-of-Glenbuck-Drive-and-north-of-Saughs-Avenue
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals-Section-4-Btwn-Saughs-Avenue-and-south-of-Auchinleck-Avenue
Auchinleck-Avenue-TC-Proposals-Section-5-Saughs-Avenue

The cushion spacing varies from a kerbside gap of 0.5 to 1.0m, making it tricky to maintain a primary position of about 1.0m from the kerb without going over the cushions. 2 modal filters, one on the north and one on the south part of the Auchinleck Avenue loop would be much less expensive and time consuming to install and might even encourage residents to cycle to Asda!

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 17 September

Maxwell Drive in Pollokshields, Glasgow, is a wide road and, if you look carefully at the photograph below, it’s just possible to see a cycle lane painted on the road – it’s under the parked cars, so no surprise there!

The email from the City Council, received on 20 August, contains this critical information:

“Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 2 sets of 3 x 2m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 4 x 2m wide cushions
• 4 sets of 3 x 1.9m wide cushions
• 1 set of 4 x 1.9m wide cushions
• The supply and installation of 22 bollards

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days.    
Please reply directly to LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk.”

The plans attached to the email are:
Maxwell-Drive-TC-proposals-Section-1-Btwn-St-Andrews-Drive-and-Maxwell-Grove
Maxwell-Drive-TC-proposals-Section-2-Between-Maxwell-Gardens-and-east-of-Woodrow-Road
Maxwell-Drive-TC-proposals-Section-3-Btwn-west-of-Woodrow-Rd-and-east-of-Woodrow-Pl
Maxwell-Drive-TC-Proposals-Section-4-Btwn-number-106-and-number-136
Maxwell-Drive-TC-proposals-Section-5-Btwn-number-152-and-Nithsdale-Rd

Reinstating the cycle lanes would be a start here and, at a decent width with any parking on the outside, the width of the road would be reduced such that traffic would move more slowly. With separated cycle lanes people walking or cycling would have some protection from the motor traffic thus making the area much safer.
Unfortunately, the plans fail to show that there have ever been cycle lanes here and the kerb to cushion dimensions vary between 0.6 and 1.0m width.

1.8 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Maxwell Park Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 22 September

This proposal covers Fotheringay Road from Darnley Road west to Springkell Avenue, Springkell Avenue from the railway south to Titwood Road and Dolphin Road from Fotheringay Road to Titwood Road.

The City Council’s email arrived on 25 August and here is the critical section of it:

“Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 5 sets of 3 x 2m wide, 75mm high, speed cushions on Dolphin Road,
• 6 sets of 3 x 2m wide, 75mm high, speed cushions on Fotheringay Road,
• 11 sets of 3x 2m wide, 75mm high, speed cushions on Springkell Avenue
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days.
Please reply directly to LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk“

Here are the relevant plans:
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Dolphin-Road
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Fotheringay-Road-section-1
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Fotheringay-Road-section-2
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Fotheringay-Road-section-3
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Fotheringay-Road-section-4
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Springkell-Avenue-section-1
RS.19.96-Maxwell-Park-proposals-Springkell-Avenue-section-2

From the plans it may be seen that the kerb to cushion gap varies from 0.7m to 1.0m, but this width, as may be seen from the view of Fotheringay Road above, is no use for cycling if you have to bump over setts. The alternatives are to either cycle 3m out from the kerb, or to cycle on the footway (tut, tut) to avoid the cushions.

GoBike member, John, who lives in the area and who has young children, would by far prefer to see traffic reduced by a series of modal filters and he refers to the speed cushions on nearby Terregles Avenue which are starting to break up. Some of you will know that Springkell Avenue was closed to motor traffic for quite some time when the railway bridge was reconstructed and Dolphin Road was stopped up for a year during the Shieldhall Tunnel works and John reports that the area was very pleasant at the time with only a modicum of motor traffic.

Additional Item: Glasgow City Council response on Traffic Calming

In Digest 67, in the general item 1.4 to 1.8, we published this letter in response to 5 traffic calming schemes. Today, 01 September, we have received this very disappointing response:

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

Dear Ms Fort,
Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

I can advise that this section within the Council is focused on reducing injury accidents throughout the city. The section has limited funding and resources available to implement traffic calming schemes and in order to make sure these resources are directed at the locations with the greatest potential for casualty reduction, a site risk assessment is undertaken for each request. This process assesses the location against criteria including the history of injury accidents, measured vehicle speeds and the presence of any local amenities such as being close to a nearby school or nursery.

I can further advise that in our experience, cushions with a width of 1800mm or less have little impact in reducing the speed of vehicles travelling over them. Previously, this has led to complaints by local road users following the installation of cushions as they consider them to be ineffective. It is therefore our intention to propose cushions of no less than 1900mm and no greater than 2000m for all future traffic calming schemes, depending on the available width of the carriageway.

I can also advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.” Whilst we would always aim for 1000mm, the gap between cushions and the kerb is likely to differ at each location depending on the available width of the carriageway.

Whilst I appreciate your concerns regarding our proposed traffic calming schemes and note your suggestions for each location, I can advise that your suggestions would involve the re-design of roads, introduction of traffic signals and the promotion of Traffic Regulation Orders as well as a host of other measures. The provision of such measures would involve considerable costs and resources, both of which are unavailable to this section, and I am unable to consider their introduction at this time.

I trust that this clarifies the current situation.

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods And Sustainability

This response is disappointing, not simply because it ignores some of our arguments, not simply because this department of Glasgow City Council does not have the funds to make thorough improvements to the city but also because the Scottish Government et al are still spending large amounts of public money, ie our money, on such private motor dominated schemes as the dualling of the A9 and the City Deal projects that North Lanarkshire is so keen on.

1.9 Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, online survey, closes 30 September

No doubt you have seen increased use of public space during lockdown, not just with more people cycling but exercise classes being held in public parks and, if we are very lucky, or perhaps with good planning and management, we can get this to continue.

In Digest 66, Item 1.4 we gave details of this survey and in Digest 67, Item 1.3, was the GoBike letter in response to the questions posed on the website, which had to be submitted by 21 August. Also on the website is a link to a short, easy-to-do survey, where you may support your views for people-friendly urban centres. Do please respond to it (I have already done so, on a personal basis, and going back to the site tells me so, but the survey is easy to find on the opening page of the website).

1.10 UK Department of Transport, Review of the Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

We are working away on our response to this consultation and hope to be able to publish it later this month.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 South Lanarkshire Council, East Kilbride cycling routes

GoBike member, Derek, attended the South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meeting on 24 August and reports that segregated cycle lanes are to be consulted on for East Kilbride. There are no details as yet, but as soon as we hear we will let you know.

2.2 Glasgow City Council, Transport Strategy, City Centre Transformation Strategy and Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan consultation commences 21 September

On Bikes, based in the north-east of Glasgow, recently held an event at which a Sustrans officer, currently embedded with Glasgow City Council, told the audience that consultation on the City Council’s Transport Strategy, City Centre Transformation Strategy and Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan would commence on 21 September and will last for 6 weeks. GoBike will be looking out for these and will report back in the Digest.

All 3 are about “prioritising people over traffic” but what is the Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan? It was reported on in this document from the City Council’s City Administration Committee and the pertinent information is on page 4 in sections 3.8 and 3.9. Here they are:

“3.8 The Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan (LNP) for Glasgow aims to reduce the city’s dependency on cars and make walking, cycling and public transport the first choice. It is essential that our residents benefit from safer, quieter streets that facilitate play, walking and cycling. Through a place-based approach, the LNP will help to limit the city’s contribution to climate change and develop an inclusive network of accessible and revitalised neighbourhoods designed for the benefit of all, with integrated green infrastructure and enhanced public spaces.

3.9 This will be achieved through a variety of physical interventions and behavioural change measures including filtered permeability, traffic reduction around schools, improvements for walking and cycling, secure bike storage and management of residential parking. Through collaborative and purposeful engagement, the LNP will transform streets and neighbourhoods into more pleasant, safe and attractive environments with noise and air pollution being tackled through measures that encourage active travel, helping to reduce
inactivity and ultimately improve public health. Progress towards making sure our neighbourhoods are more protective, comfortable, and enjoyable for people spending time there will be measured through inclusive mechanisms such as the Place Standard Too“

It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? The cynic might ask whether the rush to get all the speed cushions in is to clear a shed load of them before the enlightened thinking comes into play. The 2 Strategies are detailed in the same document.

2.3 North Lanarkshire Council, new roads to Ravenscraig

See item 3.3 below for consultation details.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 GoBike Digest Survey results

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent Digest survey. Overall people appreciate the Digest, and recognise its value. Not surprisingly people expressed particular interest in consultations in their own area, and would welcome template responses to help them respond more quickly to consultations. Some respondents find the Digest rather lengthy, but again recognise this might be due to the number of consultations.
Many apologies – this Digest is particularly long, so thank you for reading this far!

Please do get in touch with us via consultations@gobike.org, if you were one of the respondents who said they’d possibly be interested in helping to produce the Digest or respond to the consultations (which most of you did – which is great!)

Tricia, the current author of the Digest, is standing down from this role in November, and we are looking for several GoBike members to collectively keep the Digest going. Whether you responded to the survey or not please get in touch via consultations@gobike.org if you are interested in being involved – and for all those interested we will arrange a zoom call to outline the different roles/pieces of work involved in creating the Digest – we look forward to hearing from you. (The survey was completely anonymous, so we don’t know who you are!)

If you are looking for a quick way to respond to consultations, GoBike responds on behalf of its members (and we hope we are getting it right!) So GoBike’s letters are your letters and you may either simply email the contact address and say that you agree with and support the GoBike letter of (date) or attach a copy of the letter to your response.

3.2 Glasgow City Council, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming, 1 year on

In Digest 42, issued 03 September 2019, Item 1.7, we reported on proposals for traffic calming on Helensburgh Drive, Jordanhill Drive, Ryvra Road and Seggielea Road, the leafy area to the west of the High School of Glasgow and north of Jordanhill School. The view above, of Helensburgh Drive clearly shows the setts in the gutter (the new cycling zone for people not willing to cycle over cushions, in the middle of the road or on the footway). Here’s the letter that GoBike submitted to express our concerns and to suggest modal filters on 02 September last year, ie in the speed cushion 2019 season (August and September being the season)!

GoBike member Caroline, who lives in the area, has been in touch to say that speed cushions were indeed placed on these roads at the beginning of this year and they are already breaking up.

She went on to comment “Considering all of the SUVs in the area a majority of drivers simply sail over them without having to curb their speed at all. Also what are they using as surface dressing, weetabix? It’s eroded already.  Unsure why they didn’t use modal filters to curb rat runners & slow down the local racers.” 

Roll on Liveable Neighbourhoods!

3.3 North Lanarkshire Council, New Road Plans on the Agenda!

An email notice on 18 August tells us:

“Ravenscraig road plans on the agenda 

Plans for new roads and improvements to open up access to the Ravenscraig regeneration site will be considered by councillors this month.

Our Enterprise and Growth Committee will hear an update on the design and construction of the £127.2 million Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project.

The project provides new and improved transport infrastructure to connect Ravenscraig north to the M8 and south to Motherwell and the M74.

The four elements of the project are:

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

It is part of the council’s Glasgow City Region City Deal programme to connect the main motorway networks.

The cost of the council’s Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project is £127.2 million, including £71.2m for the connection to Motherwell and the M74 and £56m for dualling the existing A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8 at Newhouse.

The cost of the project are supported by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, providing £61.9 million, with £65.3 million being provided from the council over six years, from 2020 to 2026.

The first construction works will be creating the west coast main line crossing which is anticipated to take place in 2022, with construction of the new road to Ravenscraig and roundabout starting in 2023. Dualling of the A723 is planned to begin in 2023/24 and the work on Airbles Road in 2024/25.”

GoBike has not been made aware of any public consultation on these plans but GoBike member, Derek, has sent further information with a link to this page on the North Lanarkshire Council website and GoBike has now asked to be notified when detailed consultations go live.
It’s likely that the junction at the foot of Airbles Road, where it meets Hamilton Road will be popular with motor users as tailbacks are common at this pinch point. There is to be a large roundabout on Windmillhill Street just outside the Civic Centre and the Airbles Road Centre (community hospital), which won’t make walking or cycling to either of the places any easier.
All these new roads could have segregated cycle tracks, if the will was there, but we aren’t holding our breath.

3.4 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan Newsletter No 58

Here’s the latest Newsletter from EDC, the second to be published in August, which we received on 21 August.

3.5 Glasgow City Council, Renewal of Planning Consent, Glasgow Harbour, initial response

We have received 2 responses to our submission opposing the renewal of the Planning Application (see Digest 67, Item 1.9), the first on 19 August and the second on 20 August:

“Dear Ms Fort,
I have passed GoBike’s representation to our admin team to be registered. Please note for future reference, representations can be submitted directly to planning.representations@drs.glasgow.gov.uk.
Kind regards,
For Duty Planner.“

“Thank you for the feedback Tricia. The link below takes you to the page that advises how to make representations on planning applications https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/makeacomment
Thanks
Planning Enquiries”

The first reply will be helpful for any future planning applications that we respond to.

3.6 Scottish Government, Response to Town Centre Action Plan Review submission

Here’s the acknowledgement for our letter of response received on 20 August:

“Good evening Tricia,
Many thanks for your written evidence to support the Town Centre Action Plan Review. It is very much appreciated the time and effort you have taken to assist us with your valuable insights to help formulate a robust set of actions.
After reviewing all of the evidence we receive we may be back in touch to explore particular avenues with you to gain further insights.
Thank you for your time.
Project Executive
Scotland’s Towns Partnership“

Please don’t forget to complete the survey, see Item 1.9 above.

3.7 Glasgow City Council, Govan Partick Strategic Development Framework consultation update

In Digest 33, issued 30 April 2019 we printed the first response to our submission on this Framework. On 28 August 2020 we received this update:

“Dear Ms Fort,

I am writing to update you with regard to the adoption of the Govan-Partick Strategic Development Framework (SDF), which you commented on during the consultation phase.  The Govan-Partick SDF was formally adopted as statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Glasgow City Development Plan (2017) on 31^st August 2020.  You can view the adopted Govan-Partick SDF here.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your input to the consultation process, which we gave careful consideration to as we worked towards the adopted Govan-Partick SDF.  In line with the Scottish Government guidance we produced a Table of Responses, which shows how every comment made was taken account of through the redrafting process.  You can view the full Table of Responses, including our response to your own comments, here.   For reference purposes you can view the consultative draft Govan-Partick SDF here. 

It has taken considerably longer than was anticipated at the time of the consultation to bring the SDF to formal adoption.  The first major delay was caused by the impact of revised climate change modelling for the River Clyde which emerged in early 2019.  This required the Council to review the proposals contained in the Govan-Partick SDF in light of the potential impacts of higher tide levels on the River Clyde.  However, whilst this caused delay, we believe that this has been time well spent developing an approach which will be resilient in relation to the impacts of climate change.  The other major delay to the process has been caused by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contribute to the shaping of the SDF.  If you do have any questions or comments with regard to the adopted SDF you can contact us via DevelopmentPlan@glasgow.gov.uk 

Best regards
Spatial Strategy Team
Development & Regeneration”

3.8 Glasgow City Council, Draft River Strategic Development Framework consultation update

Our submissions for this, and the above Strategic Development Framework, were both in Digest 27, Item 1.2 and here’s the update that we received on 28 August – could have been a busy day in the Spatial Strategy Team??

“Dear Ms Fort,

I am writing to update you with regard to the adoption of the River Clyde Strategic Development Framework (River Clyde SDF), which you commented on during the consultation phase.  The River Clyde SDF was formally adopted as statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Glasgow City Development Plan (2017) on 31^st August 2020.  You can view the adopted River Clyde SDF here.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your input to the consultation process, which we gave careful consideration to as we worked towards the adopted River Clyde SDF.  In line with the Scottish Government guidance we produced a Table of Responses, which shows how every comment made was taken account of through the redrafting process.  You can view the full Table of Responses, including our response to your own comments, here.   For reference purposes you can view the consultative draft River Clyde SDF here. 

It has taken considerably longer than was anticipated at the time of the consultation to bring the SDF to formal adoption.  The first major delay was caused by the impact of revised climate change modelling for the River Clyde which emerged in early 2019.  This required the Council to review the proposals contained in the River Clyde SDF in light of the potential impacts of higher tide levels on the River.  However, whilst this caused delay, we believe that this has been time well spent developing an approach which will be resilient in relation to the impacts of climate change.  The other major delay to the process has been caused by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contribute to the shaping of the SDF.  If you do have any questions or comments with regard to the adopted SDF you can contact us via DevelopmentPlan@glasgow.gov.uk 

Best regards
Spatial Strategy Team
Development & Regeneration“

3.9 Glasgow City Council and Sustrans, Stockingfield Bridge – waiting for an update

In Digest 64, Item 3.5, we gave you news that construction of the new bridge was about to start and that we hoped to get you details of a diversionary route before too long. Well, sorry, we still don’t have those details but here are 2 photographs confirming, first, that work has started and second, that a bridge over the canal will be much better than the current underbridge, particularly if we get as much rain as we did before last Friday morning, when these pictures were taken.

A bit of a damp note to end on, but things must surely get better!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** We ask what you think of the GoBike Digests, closes 18 August
2. **NEW** Share the Road – Support the Increases in Space for Safer Walking and Cycling, no closing date, but please don’t delay if you wish to sign the petition
3. **NEW** Glasgow. Mount Florida Community Council, Letherby Triangle project in Mount Florida, no closing date given
4. **NEW** Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, closes 21 August
5. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Gartocher Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
6. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Prospecthill Circus (Toryglen) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
7. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Ladyloan Avenue – Extension (Drumry) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
8. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Warriston Street (Carntyne) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August
9. **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Greenfield Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 27 August
10. **NEW** UK Department for Transport, Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. East Renfrewshire, Cycling UK Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event, 13th August 

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park, Introduction of Active Travel Management Plan including formation of parking, infrastructure and landscaping, acknowledgement of GoBike submission by Development & Regeneration Services
2. North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road, response to GoBike submission
3. North Lanarkshire Council, Active Travel Stakeholder Group online workshop 30 July

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

1.1 **NEW** We ask what you think of the GoBike Digests, closes 18 August

Yes, as mentioned in Digest 65, Item 2.1, we are being introspective and asking our members their views on these fortnightly Digests.
~ If you are already a current GoBike member and on Slack then the survey is there waiting for you in the Consultations channel
~ If you are already a current GoBike member but not on Slack, or don’t wish to be, then email consultations@gobike.org and the link to the survey will be sent out to you
~ Not yet a GoBike member but you wish to comment on the Digests? It’s easy and very cheap to join and by joining you are helping the campaign for improved cycle facilities.

1.2 **NEW** Share the Road – Support the Increases in Space for Safer Walking and Cycling, no closing date, but please don’t delay if you wish to sign the petition

GoBike member, Iona, sent this link: https://www.bikeisbest.com/petition and we hope you will all sign!

Here’s the info from the website:

“SHARE THE ROAD – SUPPORT THE INCREASES IN SPACE FOR SAFER WALKING AND CYCLING

During the Covid-19 crisis, across the UK there has been a rapid roll out of measures to make walking and cycling feel safer, as public transport capacity was reduced and all but essential journeys were curtailed. Space for walking and cycling has been taken directly from motor vehicles, rebalancing our roads to benefit people, not traffic.

This approach is proving hugely popular – a recent YouGov survey by #BikeIsBest showed that 77% of Brits are in support of road space reallocation to enable safer cycling and walking. We want to cycle more – during lockdown, some areas of England have seen cycling increase by 200%.

Governments have issued funding and guidance for local authorities across the UK. Despite this, some local authorities are ripping out temporary measures after just a few days because of a few emails and petitions from motoring pressure groups and grumpy residents. The silent majority who would like nicer and healthier places to safely cycle are not being heard.

Our research shows that there are 6.5 people in favour of measures to enable cycling and walking for every 1 person against. But these voices aren’t being heard.

Only 6% of us want to return to pre-pandemic times, says another YouGov poll. There is a rare opportunity to change our streets for the better; for health, for air quality, for the economy and for the community. To not just go back to traffic-dominated communities swathed in smog. But this opportunity for change is in jeopardy and urgent action is required. We need to show local political leaders there is widespread support for these measures.

By signing, you’re saying: “I support infrastructure that will help everyone cycle and walk more.”

Show your local politicians you support projects that will help everyone cycle and walk more. Please sign and share this petition today to make your voice heard.

This petition is open to all UK residents. This petition is being run by the #BikeIsBest campaign on behalf of 50 cycling organisations. We will use the accumulative totals of the petition to present the support to local and national government and other key stakeholders. Your email address will not be shared with third parties or these organisations directly. You can choose to receive campaign email updates but this is optional as an opt in.”

We can all hear people saying “Oh, the bike boom won’t last, wait until the rain, the dark mornings etc”. The bike boom will last if we can get good infrastructure, so please sign and let’s keep what we’ve got and campaign for more through GoBike.

1.3 **NEW** Glasgow. Mount Florida Community Council, Letherby Triangle project in Mount Florida, no closing date given

GoBike member, Calum, alerted us to this survey:

Here’s the wording from the website:

“Mount Florida Community Council has been consulting with the local community for a
number of years on how to improve the Letherby Triangle – the area at the junction of
Cathcart Road and Carmunnock Road beside Mount Florida Primary School. Last year we
received funding from Sustrans to allow us to develop it to the stage where we can submit a planning application. The proposal aims to:

• Create an attractive civic space for the local community to meet and hold events
• Enhance the image of Mount Florida as a vibrant and welcoming community
• Reduce traffic speeds in the area
• Make it easier to walk, cycle and scoot

Now we need your input on how the final design might look. Please complete the
survey“.

The survey is being run by Mount Florida Community Council – please do respond if you live in the area and/or know the area well.

1.4 **NEW** Scottish Government, Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group, closes 21 August

We were alerted to this consultation by GoBike member Tia:

Call for Evidence: revitalising Scotland’s town centres in the wake of COVID-19
The Town Centre Action Plan Expert Review Group is looking for views & ideas to develop thinking about Scotland’s vision for town centres.

The majority of us live in towns and cities, so this will be of interest to most of us. Please do look at the website and put in your views as to how you wish your urban areas to be, either with the changes we have already made or how they should be developed.

Here are the questions we are asked to consider:

1. What are the challenges and opportunities facing town centres in Scotland and how should these be addressed?
2. What are the barriers to developing town centres suitable for their communities and how can these be removed?
3. To what extent has the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) delivered against its stated ambitions? In what areas has delivery been successful? In what areas is there room for progress and/or barriers to overcome?
4. To what extent are the stated objectives and policy challenges TCAP seeks to address relevant for the new challenges for our towns?
5. If TCAP were to be revised, what additional or replacement areas and objectives would you recommend should be included and how should these be addressed?
6. Can you provide details and contacts of any examples of excellent practice in town centres which you believe have wider potential?
7. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This list makes it relatively simple to organise your thoughts! GoBike will be developing a response that we aim to publish in our next Digest.

Items 1.5 – 1.9, Traffic Calming in Glasgow

The following 5 items are all similar. They are all roads in the outskirts of the city where drivers are exceeding the speed limit and where the local community have requested, via their Community Council and/or City Councillors, that something be done. GoBike understands that only 1 solution is offered by the City Council and that is speed cushions.

GoBike fully understands the concern about fast and dangerous driving but we consider that there are several options available to reduce speed and even remove through traffic and that each location should be considered for a bespoke solution.

The emails that accompanied the consultation documentation are in a standard format; we only publish it in full for the first of the 5.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Gartocher Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

Here’s the email on this one, the first of 4 received on 29 July:

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

Dear Sir / Madam,

The Glasgow City Council, (Gartocher Road), Traffic Calming Scheme

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.

Please note that these proposals will also be released to the public by displaying on-street notices within the affected area.

Background to the proposed Scheme
The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Road affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Gartocher Road

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

• 2 sets of 3×1.8m wide cushions
• 1 set of 3x2m wide cushions
• 3 sets of 2x2m wide cushions

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 28 days.   

 Please reply directly to LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, please also e-mail LESTraffic@glasgow.gov.uk

Should the Council proceed with these proposals, I will write to you again and confirm this.

Kevin Hamilton
Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The plans referred to in the email are: Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3.

From these plans it may be seen that the gap at the gutter between the cushion and the kerb ranges from 0.5m up to 1.0m with the majority being 0.6m. Thus anyone trying to avoid the cushion has to cycle either out in the middle of the road or in the narrow gap at the edge along with all the grit etc.

As you can see from the map and the photograph the overall roadway narrows to go under the bridge carrying the railway line from Glasgow Queen Street Low Level out to Airdrie and via Bathgate to Edinburgh. But look, the road itself, on which the high motor speeds are occurring, maintains its width, while one footway disappears and there is no cycleway at all.

An alternative proposal is to use one road lane as a footway plus cycleway for the narrowed length under the bridge. The other lane would be controlled by traffic lights for a one-way motor traffic system. Such a solution would slow the motor traffic down and would deter drivers from using Gartocher Road as a rat run.
A further, easier-to-do alternative is to simply close the road to through traffic but only allow pedestrians, bikes and emergency vehicles through the railway bridge.

It’s time we moved away from the standard one size fits all solution of speed cushions.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Prospecthill Circus (Toryglen) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

This area has only just been redeveloped with a mix of houses and flats, so why is the road such that motor cars are allowed to drive too fast?

Here are the relevant sections of the email from the City Council:

“Road affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by this proposal is:-

• Prospecthill Circus

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 1 set of 3×1.7m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 2x2m wide cushions
• 3 sets of 3×1.8m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 3×1.9m wide cushions“

Here’s the plan that is referred to: TC proposals

Sadly, there appears to be a discrepancy between the email and the drawing. The email lists 8 sets of cushions and the drawing shows 12.

A further point of concern is the positioning of the cushions. For 10 of the 12 sets the gap between cushion and kerb is only 0.5m with 1 at 0.65 and 1 at 1.0m. GoBike has been told that the recommended gap is 1.2m, so it looks as if the City Council have found a new guidance document?

We first mentioned the involvement of Urban Roots in Digest 31, Item 6 and there are further mentions in subsequent Digests of the local consultation they carried out for this area, right on the edge of Glasgow, bordering on South Lanarkshire.
Urban Roots were hoping to have their proposal for a cycle lane to be constructed right round the circus included in the development of the area.

All the houses have a run-in for a car, so why are all these developments designed for car use and not for active travel and the use of public transport? This really is a damning indictment of the current planning systems that have led to many such schemes in Glasgow and around Scotland, where the car is seen as king. In Crossbank Crescent, in the same development, a much better way of slowing traffic has been found, see below:

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Ladyloan Avenue – Extension (Drumry) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

This proposal is an extension to a scheme that we first featured in Digest 37, Item 1.3 in June last year. which was for the eastern section of Ladyloan Avenue; this proposal is for the western end. Last year GoBike submitted an objection suggesting that active travel in this less affluent area of the city should be encouraged by the construction of cycle lanes. We also asked why there was no proposal for car-free areas round the schools in this area. However, the installation of speed cushions won, and now there is a proposal for even more. Here’s the pertinent section of the City Council’s email of 29 July:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by this proposal is:-

• Ladyloan Avenue

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 2 sets of 2×1.8m wide cushions
• 2 sets of 2×1.9m wide cushions“

Here is the plan referred to: Ladyloan Avenue full proposals

Unfortunately, there again appear to be errors on the plan. There is a total of 5 sets of cushions, not 4, and the cushion to kerb spacing varies on the drawing from 1.0m down to 0.6m (there is a dimension of 0.55m shown but a check on the arithmetic shows this should be a more generous 0.65m!) Still not sufficient to keep bikes out of the detritus at the edge of the road, though.

Plenty of room for cycle lanes on this view!

1.8 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Warriston Street (Carntyne) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 26 August

Here’s a nice, long street, just right for getting up a bit of speed in the motor, irrespective of any of the residents trying to cross the road, or cycle along! Obviously something has to be done, but why speed cushions?

Here’s the relevant section of the City Council email:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Warriston Street

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

• 15 sets of 3×1.9m wide speed cushions
• The supply and installation of 30 bollards.“

Here are the 5 plans that were attached:
Section-1-btwn-Cumbernauld-Rd-and-number-68
Section-2-btwn-number-102-and-number-156
Section-3-btwn-number-186-and-number-250
Section-4-btwn-Gartcraig-Road-and-number-324
Section-5-btwn-number-342-and-Ruchazie-Road

The gaps at the side are mostly 1.0m, with 5 sets at 0.9 and 1 at 0.8, but they should be better.

One look at the map shows that, with the judicious use of filters and bus gates, if required, this whole area could be made impermeable to through motor traffic, while still maintaining access for cycles, buses, emergency vehicles and refuse lorries. Instead the City Council propose a dodgems run.

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow City Council, Greenfield Road (Shettleston) Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 27 August

This, the fifth, arrived a day later, on 30 July and here’s the critical section of the City Council email:

“Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The road affected by these proposals is:-

• Greenfield Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

• 6 sets of 3×1.8m wide speed cushions
• 1 set of 3×1.9m wide speed cushions
• 1 set 2x2m wide speed cushions
• The installation of 16 bollards

And here are the plans that were attached to the email:
Section-1-btwn-number-1-and-11
Section-2-Btwn-number-19-and-41
Section-3-btwn-number-43-and-61
Section-4-btwn-number-63-and-Tynecastle-Street

The gaps between the gutter and the nearest cushion are generally 0.5m, with one set being 0.6 and another being an astonishing 1.2m, ie the standard we were told the City Council worked to!

Greenfield Road runs parallel to Springboig Road, so could readily be closed to through motor traffic, making the area pleasanter for the local residents, thus dispensing with the need for speed cushions.

Items 1.5 – 1.9, Traffic Calming in Glasgow

The 5 roads covered above are similar in that they are relatively straight, which can lead drivers to exceed the speed limit, but there are solutions other than speed cushions. Also, of course, drivers who do endanger life by excessive speed should be penalised. GoBike will be developing responses over the next 2 weeks and should be able to publish them in the next Digest.

1.10 **NEW** UK Department for Transport, Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, closes 27 October 2020

The Highway Code, which applies to all road users across the UK, is about to be updated for the first time since 2007.

The UK Government website tells us there is:

“Consultation seeking views on proposed changes to The Highway Code to improve safety for vulnerable road users, particularly the groups of:

• cyclists
• pedestrians
• horse riders

The main alterations to the code being proposed are:

• introducing a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others
• clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road,
• providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority to cyclists at junctions when travelling straight ahead
• establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders“

Here’s the link to the Government website. GoBike is now starting its review and we hope to have this ready in good time for you to use as the basis of your submission. We are aware that other active travel organisations, such as Cycling UK and Living Streets, are developing their responses, so we will be using all the information open to us to make sure we don’t miss any crucial aspects of this consultation.

The disconcerting aspect of this is not just that there is no legal, only a moral, obligation on any of us to read the Highway Code, but that motor drivers do not require any update after passing their driving test. Most of us who do a driving test will do it in their late teens or twenties, with no further test ever being required.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consulations

2.1 East Renfrewshire, Cycling UK Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event, 13th August 

GoBike member, Iona, brought this to our notice and here’s the detail:

Cycling UK would like to invite you to our Virtual Cycling, Walking and Wheeling in East Renfrewshire Networking Event. 
The event will run from 4pm – 6pm on Thursday 13th August on Microsoft Teams

The Covid Crisis brought increased levels of Cycling, Walking and Wheeling with unprecedented numbers of people getting out of their cars and on to the streets, paths and parks for both travel and exercise. As we emerge from lockdown we now have the opportunity to capitalise on this momentum and make more active travel and leisure part of the new normal.  Many more people now want to cycle for leisure, health and everyday travel. We have the opportunity to shape practical measures which will help us to sustain this more active culture.
The global pandemic has shown us that where there is a political will and a sense of urgency things can change quickly. Pop up infrastructure and Spaces for People are just the start of what can be done to get more people cycling, walking and wheeling more often in East Renfrewshire.

This event is for anyone with an interest in walking and cycling in East Renfrewshire We hope to bring together representatives from Cycling UK, East Renfrewshire Council, local grassroots cycling and walking groups, community cycling organisations, Cycling UK affiliated and Member groups and local residents. Our aim is to discuss cycling and walking provision in the area and look towards improving infrastructure and opportunities. 
There are also opportunities for organisations to present at the event so if you would like the chance to showcase your work in the area just let me know.
Please feel free to share with your friends and networks, as well as any walking and/or paths groups who might be interested in shared initiatives. 
I look forward to seeing you there!
If you are unable to make it to the event but would like to take part in future events and discussions then please feel free to drop me a line
Many thanks and best regards
Eileen“

Eileen may be contacted by email at: bigbikerevivalscotland@cyclinguk.org

Here’s the link to join the meeting.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow City Council, Pollok Park, Introduction of Active Travel Management Plan including formation of parking, infrastructure and landscaping, acknowledgement of GoBike submission by Development & Regeneration Services

In Digest 64, Item 3.1, we published our response to the planning application for changes to the traffic system in Pollok Park. On 24 July we received this letter of acknowledgement. We’ll keep you updated with any further news.

3.2 North Lanarkshire Council, City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road, response to GoBike submission

In Digest 59, Item 1.2 we published this letter of opposition to the building of a new road to the east of the town of Airdrie. On 27 July we received this long email explaining why the Council find it necessary to proceed with the road.

“City Deal Proposed East Airdrie Link Road (Ref TF/D57
Attn: Tricia Fort

Thank you for your letter of 14 April 2020 in response to the public consultation exercise on the proposed East Airdrie Link Road.

We note your opposition to the scheme, primarily on the basis that there requires to be a change of emphasis away from provision of new road capacity and more towards public transport and active travel.  You also note that recent government policies aim to reduce pollution, reduce the use of the private motor vehicle, improve public health and effect a modal transfer.

These aims are acknowledged in the recently published National Transport Strategy which, although at the bottom of the investment hierarchy, still supports road building, particularly in support of inclusive economic growth.

Please be assured that the Council is supportive of these shifts in policy and these are recognised in the aims and objectives of the East Airdrie Link Road project.

As stated in the over-arching project objective, the project seeks to contributing to a co-ordinated and strategic approach to upgrade transport infrastructure and promote economic regeneration through the Pan-Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor project. 

Firstly, the objective explicitly acknowledges the aim to support economic regeneration in the area and, specifically, any proposals are assessed against how well they “support development opportunities for existing businesses and assist in unlocking stalled development sites”.  This aligns with the overall aim of the Glasgow City Deal to support economic growth and job creation; in fact, the achievement of this objective is critical in securing City Deal funding.

The project is also envisioned as a key plank in supporting the Council’s wider aim of encouraging modal shift through the greater use of public transport and active travel.  Again, these aims are explicitly acknowledged in options appraisal through assessment against the following project objectives:

Public Transport – Facilitate improvements to public transport infrastructure and reliability,
encouraging modal shift

Active Travel – Provide active travel infrastructure linking to existing networks, encouraging modal shift

The expansion of public transport and active travel provision in and along the existing A73 is limited by the prevailing physical constraints and traffic congestion and it is anticipated that the relief provided by the new link road will allow increased road space to be assigned to buses and active travel.  Providing travel choices is key to encouraging modal shift and efficient, fast public transport services are central to encouraging people to not use private cars. 

Another of the objectives is to improve air quality pollution within the Chapelhall AQMA and the project will achieve this for residents and those walking, cycling and wheeling.  Indeed, there is also an opportunity for the project to reduce noise pollution for a number of residents and remove freight movements through these densely populated areas.

Any option taken forward will be designed to include active travel routes connecting to existing paths and networks and thereby contributing to the overall active travel network in the region.  There is an opportunity through the environmental assessment work to provide a range of enhancements in terms of landscaping, ecology and flooding and to create pleasant segregated routes alongside the new road. 

We also note your comment about rail, however, the initial options appraisal concluded that rail options made only limited contribution to project objectives.  Nevertheless, the study (Strategy 8) did acknowledge there were opportunities to potentially improve connectivity links at Coatbridge these will be considered further out with the scope of the East Airdrie Link Road project.

In summary, it is our view that the proposed project is aligned with many of the objectives outlined in your letter. As we move in to Stage 2 of the current study, we will be seeking to ensure the optimum performance against the overall project objectives and to explore opportunities for maximising benefits of the new scheme towards modal shift.  To that end, have invited  welcome constructive engagement with GoBike on how your organisation considers these goals might be achieved.

We have set up stakeholder consultation groups, including on active travel, and acknowledge that your colleague Derek York has agreed to participate in the Active Travel Group.

We hope the above addresses some of your concerns and that you will be able to contribute further as the project develops through Stage 2.

In the meantime, if I can be of any further assistance, please contact the undersigned.
Regards

Yvonne Baker
Senior Project Manager (Enterprise Projects)
Enterprise & Communities
North Lanarkshire Council“

While this is not the result we had dreamed of, it is probably what we expected, but GoBike has been listened to. The inclusion of GoBike member, Derek, in North Lanarkshire’s Active Travel Stakeholder Consultation Group is very welcome.

3.3 North Lanarkshire Council, Active Travel Stakeholder Group online workshop 30 July

Quick on the heels of that email was the first meeting of the Active Travel Group last Thursday, held online and attended by Derek, on behalf of GoBike. The focus of discussion was the East Airdrie Link Road, a new A-road planned by North Lanarkshire Council funded by City Deal.
The screenshot above shows the possible route alignments; the final decision is yet to be made. The northern section is quite barren, 600ft above sea level and over peat bog. The southern section is nearer settlements, including Airdrie, Chapelhall, Plains and Calderbank. Mike Batley of the Central Scotland Green Network suggested the southern section could follow the western route for active travel-only (with road separate to east). It wasn’t clear if this will be taken on board. The next meeting will be in August but no word on next steps.
The proposed shared path would be wider than sections on A73 near Carluke. It’s nothing to write home about but obviously better than the section between Newhouse and Cleland/Bellside, which has no pavement at all. Other stakeholders were underwhelmed – Sustrans, SPT, Central Scotland Green Network, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (https://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/guide-to-the-partnership/the-partners).

Derek’s also given us some background to the proposals:

The road was initially proposed as a bypass over ten years ago to get HGVs off the current A73 through Airdrie. The Sustrans rep at the meeting asked whether NLC had considered not building road in light of the climate emergency. North Lanarkshire’s response was that the new road was about “redistribution” of traffic, not adding. Active travel infrastructure was added later in process (reminiscent of Stewartfield Way in South Lanarkshire). The proposed line of the road passes two potential sites for a new Monklands hospital (Glenmavis and Wester Moffat). The presentation mentioned economic development but not cycle commuting (aims come from old NLC cycling strategy). Aecom (the design consultants) and North Lanarkshire Council claim they want a modal shift to cycling – hence their proposal for a shared use path on one side (3m+buffer). They are proposing roundabout junctions with uncontrolled crossings (road is single lane 60mph). Est. 9k motor vehicle flows – 10k+ would require grade separated junctions – traffic modelling is to be confirmed.
The proposed shared path would be wider than sections on A73 near Carluke. It’s nothing to write home about but obviously better than the section between Newhouse and Cleland/Bellside, which has no pavement at all. Other stakeholders were underwhelmed – Sustrans, SPT, Central Scotland Green Network, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (https://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/guide-to-the-partnership/the-partners).

A decision about a new Monklands hospital site still hasn’t been taken. If it’s at one of the sites on the above corridor then that might change things. FYI see: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/consult-engage/monklands-engagement/

That’s it for now, a welcome return of consultations and plenty to get our teeth into.

Contents:

Section 1:  Current Consultations

1. Glasgow North East Travel Routes, closes tomorrow, 22 August
2. UK Government, Department of Transport, Future of Mobility Call for Evidence, closes 10 September
3. **NEW** Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September
4. **NEW** George Square, Glasgow, closure to traffic, closes 24 September
5. A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations – we’ve drawn a blank on this again.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Buchanan Wharf Development Glasgow
2. Living Streets Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

Section 1: Current Consultations – in date order for response

1.1  Glasgow North East Travel Routes, closes TOMORROW, 22 August

Do please reply to this consultation.  We gave details in Digest 15 two weeks ago but since then we have had the benefit of the consultation event held on 08 August.  The plans are not perfect, but they are ambitious, proposing a continuous route from Balornock to the city centre.  The existing cycle lanes are to be upgraded with segregation from motor traffic.  There are points still to be resolved, such as the crossing of Springburn Road, which we point out in our letter of response, GoBike NE Active Travel Routes comments 190818 but overall we are in favour of the proposals.  The consultation is here and the short survey is at the end.  It’s easy to do so please fill it out.

1.2  UK Government, Department of Transport, Future of Mobility Call for Evidence, closes 10 September

We listed this in Digest 15 and although it’s quite a long survey it does seem to use non-car terminology, so please respond if you can.  The link to the survey information is here and the actual survey is here.

1.3 **NEW** Newdyke Road, Kirkintilloch, EDC, Proposed Flat Top Speed Tables, closes 21 September

East Dunbartonshire Council proposes to install 2 flat top speed tables on Newdyke Road at the junctions with Newdyke Avenue and Ivanhoe Drive in the residential area of Hillhead in Kirkintilloch.  The speed limit is currently 30mph, although 15% of vehicles exceed this and Hillhead Primary School is between Newdyke Avenue and Ivanhoe Drive.  Full details are in this letter they sent us – yes, by post: Newdyke Rd EDC speed tables and this seems to be a sensible proposal to support.  If you have a connection to the area please do respond.

1.4 **NEW** George Square, Glasgow, permanent closure of the square, closes 24 September

Glasgow City Council proposes to permanently close George Square to traffic, further to the short-term closure for the European Championships earlier this month.  The proposals are somewhat vague, with the word on the street being that the north side of the square will remain open to buses and taxis, and with no mention of cycles.  It’s a very short questionnaire but there is room for comments, so please add some to support active travel.  Please do respond so that we can get a reduction in pollution from motor traffic in the city centre.  The survey is here.

1.5 A Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland, closes 25 September

A reminder about this survey, which we detailed in Digest 15 .  A deposit return scheme will encourage people to return their bottles – or to collect bottles to return – reducing the chance of us cycling over broken glass.  Friends of the Earth Scotland have analysed the proposals and have produced a handy guide to completing the survey (wish I’d seen it before I filled it in!) which contains a link to the survey, here.  You can choose their 5 minute or 15 minute option to completing the survey – please do respond.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1  Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow, redevelopment

We published the details for this proposed redevelopment on the south bank of the Clyde in Digest 14 .  Soon after the consultation closed 2 weeks ago we heard back from the Consultant Engineer dealing with the scheme.  We are invited to a meeting, date yet to be confirmed, with the Consultant and Sustrans, which is good news.  Even better, though, is the verbal confirmation that the South West City Way is in no danger from the proposals – but we’ll be checking this out.

3.2   Living Streets call for a ban on Pavement Parking, closes 28 September

We included this in Digest 15 and we do hope that you have supported Living Streets to ensure there is no ambiguity in the forthcoming legislation.  The link to the appropriate section of their website is here.

That’s a few surveys for you to respond to, and we’ll be back in two weeks with some reminders and perhaps some new information for you.  Take care when out on your bike.