This Digest covers most points of the compass in Glasgow and neighbouring areas to the west, south and east.

Quite a few local and national petitions have been launched recently so this Digest has an update on those (instead of infrastructure).

Petitions Update

• GoBike – Keep our paths open for COP26 (Glasgow residents only)
• Cycling UK – Help fix our failing road traffic laws
• Living Streets – petition to bring forward the ban on pavement parking (and there’s a launch event for a new Glasgow branch of Living Streets)
• Progress for GoBike member Patricia’s petition on public toilets
• A potential future petition about making cycling infrastructure fit for purpose by the broadcaster/author Ned Boulting

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order (ends 20 Aug)
2. North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Entrance/Velo Park Project (until end of Aug)
3. East Renfrewshire Council – Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2
4. Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation (ends 2 Sep)
5. Rosemount Development Trust – Royston Road Masterplan (ends 3 Sep)
6. Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework (ends 3 Sep)
7. Renfrewshire Council – Improving Barshaw Park Junction, Paisley (ends 5 Sep)
8. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (ends 28 Sep)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – Active Travel Forum Network map
2. Urban Roots – Malls Mire partial opening (and newsletter July 2021)
3. Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road
4. Glasgow City Council – TRNSMT Festival and Access to NCN75
5. Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus contact changes (and newsletter August 2021)
6. Glasgow City Council – Garnethill Traffic Management and Parking Controls Order

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order

The Auldhouse area order appeared in the last Digest 92, Item 1.8. It applies to a triangle of land in the Southside, just off Kilmarnock Rd and Nether Auldhouse Rd. The TRO deals with parking restrictions and making some lanes access only for motor vehicles. See our GoBike response to the Auldhouse Area order. See the Auldhouse plan PDF or the above link for the rest of the documents (ends 20 Aug).

1.2: North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Entrance/Velo Park Project

As seen in the last Digest 92, Item 1.9, the new velo park would be at the edge of Bellshill (next to Motherwell Rd/A721) with mountain bike trails down into Strathclyde Country Park. The project lead is due to meet local community groups in the next week or so. A GoBike member should be at one of the meetings so we’ll hopefully have feedback next time.

If you cycle in the park or the wider area, see the Bellshill Entrance & Velo Park info page. The page says the process should lead to a Sport Scotland application this month so email the council before the end of August.

1.3: East Renfrewshire Council – Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2

As covered in Digest 91, Item 1.5, Ayr Rd through Newton Mearns has a phase 2 consultation. It’s about replacing the phase 1 cones with light segregation, removing some segregation and adding parking bays. For examples of the segregation, maps and more details, see the Ayr Road Phase 2 Commonplace page. No obvious deadline on this one.

1.4: Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation

As in Digest 90, Item 1.3 this consultation is about phase 2 of the Low Emission Zone in Glasgow city centre (between the M8, river and High St). Phase 1 applied to local buses but phase 2 will include all vehicles entering the zone area (unless exempt). However, enforcement is only due to start in June 2023.

The short survey asks you about issues like the LEZ area and the grace periods. See the Glasgow LEZ consultation page and LEZ online survey. Closes on 2 September 2021.

1.5: Rosemount Development Trust – Royston Road Masterplan

Projects about Royston Rd seem to be like buses – none for ages then two at once. The last Digest 92, Item 1.2, featured the Flourishing Molendinar project about the area at the eastern (hilly) end of Royston Rd. The western (flat) end of Royston Rd is the focus of this project by Rosemount Development Trust.

This section is a crucial link from the city centre/Sighthill (to the west) up towards Blackhill (to the east). Current plans only mention cycling in passing, which is a concern. If cycleways don’t connect right along Royston Rd it risks cutting off not only Blackhill but also active travel routes from places in North Lanarkshire like Stepps and Cumbernauld.

If you know the area at all, please put a word in for cycling. See the Royston regeneration survey and information boards (ends 3 Sep).

1.6: Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework

East of High St out to Carntyne and Tollcross is the ‘Inner East’ area, covered in the latest SDF (as in Digest 90, Item 1.4). The ‘Connected’ section 4C mentions cycling infrastructure projects but also public transport and roads, including the so-called East End Regeneration Route (EERR) dual carriageway.

See the Inner East consultation page for link to the SDF survey (ends 3 Sep).

1.7: Renfrewshire Council – Improving Barshaw Park Junction, Paisley

In 2017, Sustrans identified this crossroads as a dangerous junction. It’s at the entrance to Barshaw Park in Paisley where Arkleston Rd and Hawkhead Rd meet Glasgow Rd (A761, which becomes Paisley Rd West in Glasgow). Arkleston Rd runs south from the M8 and is used for car parking next to Barshaw Park. The park itself includes a BMX track and a mini street layout for children learning to cycle.

This month, Renfrewshire Council announced they had won Places for Everyone funding for the junction.

The consultation has three options:

1. Glasgow Rd protected lanes (none on Arkleston Rd or Hawkhead Rd) plus ‘early start’ cycle traffic lights (Option 1 PDF)
2. All roads have protected lanes with ‘early start’ cycle traffic lights (Option 2 PDF)
3. A protected junction with protected lanes on all roads and bikes get their own signal phase (Option 3 PDF)

Experience from Edinburgh with ‘early start’ bike traffic lights is that not everyone wants/can get to the front of a traffic queue to make use of them. The last option seems best but it creates a bus stop in-shot with shared path alongside it (where Glasgow Rd would be narrowed from two lanes to one). The plans mention relocating the bus stop as another option (but it is next to the main park entrance). Any further protected cycle lanes on roads would be added in a later phase.

Nearly every comment about the plans on Facebook seems to be hostile to all three options (on posts by Renfrewshire Live, The Mill magazine or Friends of Barshaw Park). The most common point (apart from rants about cycling) was the lack of a right-turn filter/light from Arkleston Rd onto Glasgow Rd. If you know the area at all, see the Barshaw Park junction community survey to rate the options (ends 5 September).

1.8: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion

This has featured since Digest 86, Item 1.2, with its ‘Ideas Map‘ for the area. It’s an opportunity to focus on active travel (walking, cycling and wheeling). 

Online discussion events restart from 21 August (Bearsden & Milngavie). See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. Closing date – 28 Sep 2021.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council – Active Travel Forum network map

We last heard from GCC’s Active Travel Forum when it restarted in March (the ATF has stopped and started a few times in its history). The most recent meeting, in June, included a new proposal for a city network, which has now been published online. We’ve seen vague outlines before, like the City Ways map in the last Cycling Strategy. The new map isn’t that easy to follow (compared to similar network maps for South Lanarkshire Council). However, this new Glasgow network map does seem to be more systematic than any previous ones.

The presentation about the network map talks about the method behind producing it, including an algorithm for key destinations and roads >10m wide. Slides also mention soft segregation and filters as part of the network. So, it wouldn’t necessarily all be segregated but might go in quicker. The recent announcement about the Liveable Neighbourhoods project (and its Toolkit) may play a part in that.

Slide 10 talks about the density of the network, sets a timescale and another disclaimer:

“CITY Network Map

• Proposed city network to be in place by 2030
• Represents the required density of routes for a functional City Network
• Not all of these streets identified here will form the City Network as delivered but form the start of the planning and prioritisation process
• Delivered City Network must be of equivalent density and coherence by 2030 to enable easy everyday active journeys “

So, the current routes on the map may not be the final ones (and there’s no key).

Main route corridors (striped lines, clockwise from north):

• Springburn Road (A803)
• Alexandra Parade/Cumbernauld Road/Edinburgh Road (A8)
• Cumbernauld Road (A80)
• London Road (A74)
• Eglinton Street/Pollokshaws Road/Kilmarnock Road (A77)
• Paisley Road West (A761)
• Victoria Park Drive South/Dumbarton Road (A814)
• Great Western Road (A82)
• Maryhill Road (A81)

All of the above are (at least) four lane A-roads but it’s not clear if these are intended as the main cycle routes. However, London Rd already has a section of permanent cycleway at either end with more phases planned. London Rd also has sections of soft segregation (with large gaps), as do parts of Cumbernauld Rd and Gt Western Rd. The empty area in the city centre would presumably connect to Avenues project routes. Most of the striped routes reach the city boundary, apart from London Rd and Edinburgh Rd.

The pink routes on the map include permanent infrastructure like the recently completed Garscube Rd cycleway and the very much ongoing South City Way.

The following slide shows ‘iterations’ and distance/coverage (and has a key!).

Iteration/Distance map

The map seems to show a fairly widespread first iteration/version of the network. It would be followed by additions to fill in gaps between these routes for later versions. The colours show pretty good coverage for most areas of the city compared to now (from ‘iteration 6’, presumably in 2030). Most of the pink areas (>800m distance) are not residential – they include the Seven Lochs and Pollok Park.

All of this has to be taken with a big pinch of salt (especially the bits outside the GCC boundary at Renfrew and Thornliebank!). It also remains to be seen how it fits in with other council plans and priorities. For example, cycle routes seem to avoid the High St, despite the fact it’s not an Avenue but has its own High St Area Strategy project (as well as being part of the ‘Learning Quarter’ district plan and Inner East SDF). Elsewhere, there are bus priority lanes in the works for Paisley Rd West – will they trump cycle lanes?

The presentation also mentions themes and objectives for the forthcoming Active Travel Strategy (slide 17 onwards). Slide 21 has more detail on ‘Proposed Theme 1: Infrastructure & Networks’. Only time will tell how both the strategy and network map are put into practice. However, the map seems like a step towards a more comprehensive network. The proposals should go to committee later in the year.

3.2: Urban Roots – Malls Mire

Malls Mire gets a bit higher up the running order this time as the west and central areas of the new community woodland are due to open in mid-August. These will add much needed greenspace and a network of traffic-free paths in the Toryglen/Polmadie area. When the eastern end of the woodland opens, it will provide extra east-west links between the Southside of Glasgow and Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.

Woodland paths aren’t a complete solution to the connection issues in the city network map but they’re certainly welcome. In future, Malls Mire may link to enhanced routes in South Lanarkshire Council’s Cambuslang/Rutherglen active travel network, like NCN756 towards Shawfield and Glasgow Green.

See the Malls Mire July 2021 newsletter for more information about the latest developments. Well done to Gemma and the rest of the team for all the progress so far.

3.3: Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road

First covered in Digest 86, Item 1.1, this novel junction layout caused a bit of head scratching due to its minimalist drawing. Options for the crossing had already been in a consultation for Connecting Woodside. However, there was another more detailed drawing for the new junction layout (PDF).

GoBike sent a letter of objection and received the following reply:

“In response to your comments regarding the desire line to travel north from Hopehill Road to Maryhill Road. I would advise that the design for the above junction does not prohibit cyclists wishing to travel, on the carriageway, from Hopehill Road northbound onto Maryhill Road. Cyclists wishing to travel on the carriageway are both encouraged and supported through the inclusion of Advanced Stop Lines (ASL) at all arms of the junction, to support their journey along either Maryhill Road or Hopehill Road.

Please note, whilst it is the objective of the proposed to improve the conditions for cycling on North Woodside Road and, encourage the uptake of cycling in the local area by introducing additional infrastructure that is suitable for use by all ages and abilities. It is not our objective to dissuade or restrict confident cyclists from using Maryhill Road to continue their journey and as such, we have incorporated dropped kerbs within the design of the junction to make this possible.

As you have stated, should cyclists ‘routinely ignore’ the TRO restricting their movements whilst on the proposed cycle crossing, this would be a matter for Police Scotland. As we advised previously, once approved, a TRO is a legal order and is enforceable by law. If you do however have concerns regarding the speed of vehicles travelling on Maryhill Road, or any of the surrounding roads, I would be happy to bring this to the attention of our Road Safety Team to investigate further.”

It remains to be seen how intuitive, or not, this new junction turns out to be. Also, whether Police Scotland take any more interest in anyone ignoring the rules than they do with cars parked in bike lanes. Further phases of Connecting Woodside or results of the city network plan may have a bearing on the junction in future.

3.4: Glasgow City Council – TRNSMT Festival and Access to NCN75

The busy NCN path in Glasgow Green was recently kept open during the Euro 2020 Fanzone in the park. GoBike member Bob wrote to GCC about keeping access to the path in Glasgow Green while it holds the TRNSMT music festival (pronounced ‘Transmit’, kids). The last edition of the festival, in 2019, had closed the route with very poor signage of the diversion. This led to a previous petition about keeping NCN75 open.

The council’s (edited) reply:

“…closure and diversion of the NCR 75 will only take place on the ‘Live Concert’ dates of this event. That will be Thursday 9 September – Sunday 12 September (4 days in total) and that all other dates during the build and break for the event, the NCR 75 will in the main be remain open.

…I would also like to advise that more permanent signage is in place around the diversion routes which when required can be opened to ensure users have a clearly marked route to follow in both directions. These signs will be supplemented with additional free standing signage at some locations. I believe those measures are fair and reasonable for the short term diversion of the route which are in line with other diversionary arrangements.

Lastly I note your objections to any closures but I should can advise that those proposed are governed under the delegated powers granted to the City and managed by Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability and are not by their duration subject to consultation.”

TRNSMT takes place from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 September 2021 but it sounds like NCN75 will close on Thursday 9 Sep, while they set up.

GoBike convenor Thomas posted a thread on Twitter with photos of the diversion route along Adelphi St to the St Andrews suspension bridge. It includes the Gorbals section of riverbank which collapsed in 2017 and remains fenced off. While passable, it’s not geared up for the level of pedestrian and cycle use NCN75 gets on an average weekend.

We’ll try to find out why NCN75 was open for the Fanzone but closed for TRNSMT.

3.5: Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus newsletter

The latest update from the Glasgow Uni campus August 2021 newsletter. It sounds like people in the West End are due to see more activity during August as the foundations of the new Business School are laid.

The contact for the project has changed to Fergus Shaw. Best wishes to the previous contact Kieran Ronnie, who helped us with an issue with the temporary traffic lights on University Ave.

3.6: Glasgow City Council – Garnethill Traffic Management and Parking Controls Order

In Digest 91, Item 1.3, we covered the parking controls for Garnethill. GoBike member Tim sent an objection to the plans. He had a response from the council on some of the points raised:

“I can advise that to accommodate the number of resident permits that are purchased for the Garnethill area we could not reduce the number of parking bays in the Garnethill area.

Please note that the reduction in permit price is being proposed to bring the Garnethill zone in line with all other restricted/controlled parking zones out with the City Centre(excluding Hillhead).”

Garnethill is one block from Sauchiehall St so most people would probably think of it as part of the city centre. It is close to main bus routes, train and underground stations but didn’t get any Bikehangar secure cycle parking. It’s also close to a large motorway junction at Charing Cross, which may have a bearing on the number of cars in the area.

The response also repeated previous statements about Police Scotland ruling out contraflow cycling on one-way streets.

In this Digest there are consultations for a few parts of the Southside and traffic orders for a few City Ways. Also, surveys and events on traffic and town hubs in North Lanarkshire.

If you’re in the city, see Andy’s three infrastructure routes around Glasgow to take in Spaces for People infrastructure. Part of the Southern route includes the SfP ‘pop-up’ bike lane on Dumbreck Road, which was recently removed “by mistake” but then reinstated.

Andy has also started to inform GoBike about closures and diversions; if you hear of any please do let us know.

Looking further ahead towards spring, and an election, Pedal on Parliament have news about their events in April.

This Digest includes links in the Contents page so you can jump straight to a topic if you want to.

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – St Andrews Drive (Sustainable Transport Route) Order – closes Sunday 7 March
2. North Lanarkshire Council – Town hub community engagement events – events from 8–18 March
3. Glasgow City Council – East City Way Phase 1 (London Drive to Daldowie Road) Order – closes Friday 12 March
4. Glasgow City Council – London Road/Hamilton Road (30mph Speed Limit) Order – closes Friday 12 March
5. Scottish Canals – Stockingfield public meeting – Thursday 18 March
6. Glasgow Harbour Ltd – Yorkhill Quay Phase 2 – closes Friday 19 March
7. North Lanarkshire Council – Consultations on traffic issues in Calderbank and Chapelhall – closes Sunday 21 March
8. Waverley Park Collective – Liveable Streets Waverley Park
9. Glasgow Urban Sports – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park survey

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Urban Roots – Malls Mire Newsletter February 2021
2. Sustrans – Glasgow Cycle Counters (revisited)

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – St Andrews Drive (Sustainable Transport Route) Order –Sunday 7 March

Digest 80 covered the St Andrews Drive TRO to extend the South West City Way. The order deals mainly with parking to clear the way for the route.

Further details about the route are still available on the original consultation website (from 2019/2020) including a ‘Storymap’ and links to PDFs of technical plans. The existing SWCW is 2-way (bi-directional), with both lanes on one side of the road. The extension will be too but using ‘cycle lane separators’ (a.k.a. zebras/orcas/armadillos) instead of kerbs.

A GoBike response to the SWCW extension plans was sent to Glasgow City Council in late January 2020. An updated GoBike response supports the order but notes that the other design issues haven’t been addressed.

There’s a consultation period for the TRO with a deadline of 7 March. Since it involves car parking, there are likely to be objections. Supportive emails may help to counter those. See the GCC website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro.

1.2: North Lanarkshire Council – Town hub community engagement events

More from North Lanarkshire Council for the second Digest in a row. This consultation isn’t strictly cycling-related but is relevant to the eight places in NLC’s Town Visions plans (Digest 80).

NLC have “ambition to replace every school not replaced or remodelled since 1996, our vision is to make these places for the whole community rather than only the school community. To do this, hubs will be places where education is delivered alongside other council and community services. Hubs will have a form and facilities based on the needs of the local community.”

Those needs should include access by active travel. Schools are also where Bikeability training (formerly Cycling Proficiency) takes place and some already have fleets of bicycles. NLC’s website has further background information on the town hubs.

An email from NLC said: “We are carrying out online engagement with our communities throughout March about potential locations for new town hubs in North Lanarkshire.”

• Kilsyth – Monday 8th March – 6:30pm
• Cumbernauld – Tuesday 9th March – 6:30pm
• Airdrie – Wednesday 10th March – 6:30pm
• Coatbridge – Thursday 11th March – 6:30pm
• Bellshill – Monday 15th March – 6:30pm
• Motherwell – Tuesday 16th March – 6:30pm
• Wishaw – Wednesday 17th March – 6:30pm
• Shotts – Thursday 18th March – 6:30pm

The link for each town goes to an Eventbrite sign-up page to register for the event.

1.3: Glasgow City Council – East City Way Phase 1 (London Drive to Daldowie Road) Order – Friday 12 March

The East City Way traffic order was covered in Digest 80. Phase 1 is currently under construction on London Rd and Hamilton Rd around Mount Vernon train station. The order prepares the ground for it hopefully being finished soon. A new GoBike response about ECW went to Glasgow City Council, referencing our points from our response at the draft stage. Mostly about the switch between 1-way and 2-way cycle lanes and the banned turn. The order will be on GCC’s Proposed TRO webpage for comment until Friday 12 March.

1.4: Glasgow City Council – London Road/Hamilton Road (30mph Speed Limit) Order – Friday 12 March

The London Road/Hamilton Road 30mph Speed Limit was also in Digest 80. It lowers the speed limit all the way along London Rd and Hamilton Rd between Dewar’s distillery and the Dog’s Trust. Again, we sent a new GoBike response supporting the change of speed limit and the order is up for comment until Friday 12 March.

1.5: Scottish Canals – Stockingfield public meeting – Thursday 18 March

Scottish Canals maintain and develop canals, towpaths and bridges, including the major works at the Stockingfield junction on the Forth & Clyde canal. This is the canal t-junction without a bridge, where you had to cross by going down through a narrow road tunnel on Lochburn Rd with no pavements or bike path. The plans for a large 3-span canal bridge were approved in March 2020 and works started in autumn. Parts of the towpath will be closed and won’t re-open until later in 2022. Further information about the project is on the Stockingfield page on the Scottish Canals website. If you have questions about issues, like diversions or the new bike-only signals on Lochburn Rd, Scottish Canals are having an online meeting about the project on Thursday 18 March.

1.6: Glasgow Harbour Ltd – Yorkhill Quay Phase 2 – closes Friday 19 March

This development first appeared on our radar in Digest 73, Item 1.1. It had a brief consultation which swiftly disappeared from the company’s website (as we noted in Digest 74, Item 1.3). That was to do with a pre-application about the masterplan for the site. Apparently, “a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) associated with the development was submitted to Glasgow City Council on 20th November 2020”. So, this consultation about the eastern side of the site is part of the 12-week pre-application period before plans go in.

The developer’s Yorkhill Quay website has new visualisations (which look very plastic) and reworked PDF plans. It’s not clear from the plans what will happen to the current path behind the site, between the Riverside Museum and the distillery. Nor how wide the new riverfront path will be (but it seems to have street furniture and trees splitting it up).

The Next Steps and Feedback page has a webform you can use to send comments. Or you can email: yorkhillquay@iceniprojects.com by Friday 19 March.

1.7: North Lanarkshire Council – Consultations on traffic issues in Calderbank and Chapelhall – Sunday 21 March

Back in North Lanarkshire, the council is consulting about traffic in the villages of Calderbank and Chapelhall, between Airdrie and the M8. Their email says:

“In response to road safety concerns raised by local residents, the council undertook a series of detailed surveys to assess traffic conditions through both villages. Information from these surveys will be included in the reports.

The public consultation, which will run until 21 March, will give both communities the opportunity to provide feedback on a range of potential road safety improvements.

The reports and online consultation are available from 24 February on our website at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/traffic-studies.”

The Chapelhall Traffic Study, in the ‘Potential Improvements’ section, suggests speed tables and mini-roundabouts. The Calderbank Traffic Study proposes mini-roundabouts too but also includes a new crossing on Main St. Each study has a survey link at the end. If you know the areas you have until Sunday 21 March to respond.

1.8: Waverley Park Collective – Liveable Streets Waverley Park

Waverley Park is an area of Shawlands in the Southside of Glasgow (where the streets are named after characters in Walter Scott novels). The Waverley Park Collective are a grassroots group of residents who’ve previously organised community events for children as well as things like cycling training. They’ve recently won funding to plan changes to local streets and set up the Liveable Streets Waverley Park consultation. If you know the area, you can add a pin to the map. No obvious closing date for this one (seems to be open-ended).

1.9: Glasgow Urban Sports – GUSM74 Urban Sports Sculpture Park

This item is about a different kind of cycling to your average GoBike ride! The Glasgow Urban Sports group want to bring land under the M74 extension into productive use as a park for ‘urban sports’ – BMX, skateboarding, inline skating, parkour, etc. The area is between the back of West St Subway station and Eglinton St (a few blocks from Batley’s cash & carry warehouse). The idea for the project originally came up around 2014 (as a legacy of the Commonwealth Games).

Recently, GUS have come up with a new survey to try and demonstrate support for the project. It’s mainly aimed at skaters, or their families, to find out how often they/their relatives might use the park, etc. If you’re not likely to be down there yourself grinding any rails then feel free to share it with friends or family who might. No obvious closing date.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Urban Roots – Malls Mire Newsletter February 2021

Malls Mire was first covered (under its current name) in Digest 74, Item 3.4. The latest February issue of the Malls Mire newsletter reached us this week. It has a few updates about progress and related projects like Polmadie Plots Community Garden.

3.2: Sustrans – Glasgow Cycle Counters (revisited)

In Digest 79, Item 3.3 we bade farewell to the public cycle counter near Saltmarket in Glasgow Green as it was switched off. We were assured that “two replacement cycle counters were installed in the following locations: NCN75 at St. Andrew’s Suspension Bridge and NCN75 at Cuningar Loop Footbridge”. Turns out the new counters aren’t like-for-like replacements…

The new counter feeds back figures to Sustrans/the council only. While that is fair enough for collecting data, it’s not so good for campaigning. The public counter used to prove how many people cycled past, which could be useful to point out to doubters of cycling/active travel. It would be a shame if Sustrans had moved away from public counters altogether. When will we see the Saltmarket counter’s LED like again…?

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Current Consultations, in date order for response

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do please fill in this short response form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

·        No waiting at any time.

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

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

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

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

1.7 East Dunbartonshire Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November

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

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

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

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Byres Road: delay in issuing TROs

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

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

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

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

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 53

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

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

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

On 10 October this reply came in:

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

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

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

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

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

There are 4 factors of interest in this reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, TODAY, Tuesday 06 August, 1pm or 2:30pm, with on-line comments closing on 18 August.
2. Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August
3. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
4. **NEW** Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consuitations

1. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Pollok Country Park – Project Update
2. WalkCycleVote/RNIB workshops
3. Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road)(Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 201
4. THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, Consultation on future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing
5. Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July
6. Battlefield Proposals (Streets for All) update
7. The Glasgow City Council (Broomfield Road) Traffic calming scheme 20__
8. The Glasgow City Council (Sunnybank Street) Traffic Calming Scheme 20__
9. Proposals for Upgrading of Elmbank Street, Pitt Street and Holland Street
10. World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green
11. International interest to build first opening bridge over the River Clyde
12. Yokecoco win funding for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for action or responses

1.1 Glasgow, ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, TODAY, Tuesday 06 August, 1pm or 2:30pm, with on-line comments closing 18 August.

We gave all the information for these 2 events, which take place TODAY, in Digest 39, Item 2.2.
If you wish to attend either of the sessions then you should book; here’s the link.
In a further email, dated 23 August, there was this information:

1.2 Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August

The details for this latest extension of the South City Way were given in Digest 38, Item 1.5 and we are looking forward to there being a continuous cycle route from Queen’s Park to the Merchant City.
We are concerned, though, at the lack of clarity in the TRO documents about the junction between Bridgegate and King Street. Our letter of response is here.

1.3 Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

This consultation period is quite long; the full details were in Digest 37, Item 1.7 and our response is being prepared. It will be published before the closing date.
If you have perused the document and have any views, please do send them in to consultations@gobike.org

1.4 **NEW** Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Published just a few days ago on 31 July, here’s the latest big consultation from the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland. This is one we all need to consider and submit our views.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August.

We published the details of this event in our last Digest, No 39, Item 2.3 and it will be held at Pollokshaws Library from 12 noon – 8pm. Do get along there if you can.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Pollok Country Park – Project Update

Before you go to the Consultation Event on the 22nd, do read this briefing note produced by Glasgow Life, outlining progress to date.

3.2 WalkCycleVote/RNIB workshops

Sally and Suzanne from Walk/Cycle/Vote have been working this year with people from the RNIB and have held workshops around the country, in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh. Brenda, Iain and Tricia from GoBike attended the Glasgow event and discussed pertinent issues with people from RNIB. Walk/Cycle/Vote hope to follow up these recent sessions with a larger event in October, focusing on a combined response to the National Transport Strategy consultation has just been launched, see Item 1.4 above.
Here are the agreed outcomes of the Glasgow workshop:

• We’re still missing some users from this discussion who’ll have valuable input.
• Our cities would be safer for everyone if there were fewer private cars.
• We need to reduce car dominance of our streets if we are all to get the space we need.
• Kerbs are important with appropriate modifications for wheelchairs.
• Cycling infrastructure needs to be designed in a way that’s inclusive for everybody and doesn’t create barriers.
• Street clutter is a hazard.
• Cycle paths should be clearly distinguishable from pavement and roads by appropriate means.
• We want a clear delineation between cyclists and pedestrians.
• Side turnings should be squared off to make drivers slow down.
• Control boxes (on signal-controlled crossings) could vibrate as an alternative to the rotating cone which can be broken easily or simply not included on the box.
• We acknowledge that different groups of people will have different priorities based on their different needs. We should not allow people to divide and rule us.

So a good start was made in understanding and recognising that we have different needs but we all have a right to use our streets.

3.3 Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road)(Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls) Order 201

On 23 July we received this acknowledgement to our submission to the consultation on the proposals preparing for the construction of a 2-way cycle route on Garscube Road:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (GARSCUBE ROAD) (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROL) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.
Yours sincerely
Steve Gray
Assistant Group Manager (Sustainable Transport)
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

3.4 THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, Consultation on future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing

On 23 July we received this brief acknowledgement of our submission on this consultation:

“Thank you for your consultation response, which will be considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee in due course.
Kind regards“

3.5 Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July

These events, which were detailed in Digest 38, Item 2.5 with further information on opposition to the proposals in Digest 39, Item 2.1, were held to gauge public views prior to the Traffic Regulation Order being finalised and issued.
City Council staff at one of the Dennistoun events reported that views were mixed, but there was certainly interest from members of the public.
Again, though, parking controls mean, to the City Council, changing streets from 2-way to 1-way to allow for the introduction of diagonal parking and ensure adequate clearance to the parked cars. Exemption for cycles is apparently generally vetoed by Police Scotland and the City Council continue to provide storage space for private vehicles on our streets rather than providing sufficient space for people to walk and cycle.
One would hope that by the introduction of parking permits demand for parking would reduce?

We look forward to the publication of the TRO with some interest.

3.6 Battlefield Proposals (Streets for All) update

Sustrans issued this update on 25 July and, once you are past all the pictures, there’s a wee survey for you to complete by 16 August – and there’s a prize draw!

3.7 The Glasgow City Council (Broomfield Road) Traffic calming scheme 20__

On 29 July we received this response to our submission on the proposal for traffic calming on Broomfield Road:

“Thank you for your undernoted email regarding the traffic calming proposals on Broomfield Road.

I can 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 1200 mm, with 1000 mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.”

Due to the width of the carriageway on Broomfield Road and the minimum width of the speed cushions being increased to facilitate buses, a 1m gap from either side of the kerbline was determined. A larger gap between the speed cushion and the kerb may encourage drivers to park partly in the gap and partly on the cushion, causing an obstruction for cyclists.

Regarding your request for a cycle lane to be introduced at this location, I can advise that the funding we have received for this location is from a traffic calming budget, therefore the introduction of cycle lanes at this location is not something that we would consider at this time.

Finally, it is anticipated the introduction of speed cushions will reduce vehicular speeds, which in turn lead to better road safety conditions for all road users including, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (name and contact details removed by GoBike)

Michael Brady
Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

So there we have it: the budgets, and not just the staff, are in silos within the City Council. Why on earth don’t they think holistically and consider the best overall solution?

3.8 The Glasgow City Council (Sunnybank Street) Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

Correspondence continues on Sunnybank Street. You may remember that in Digest 38, Item 3.7 we published an exchange of emails where Glasgow City Council had confused the GoBike response on Sunnybank Street with that of either Ladyloan Avenue or Broomfield Road?

A further reply was received on 29 July:

“Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted email regarding the traffic calming proposals for Sunnybank Street.

I can 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.”

The gap between cushions and the kerb may differ at each location depending on factors such as the width of the carriageway, the width, length and design of the cushions, any potential build outs or the location being a bus route.

I trust the above information is of assistance, however, should you require any further information please contact (contact details removed by GoBike).

Michael Brady
Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

When in a hole, it’s best not to dig any deeper! The distance between the speed cushion and the kerb is shown as 1.2m for Sunnybank Street, but only 1.0m for Broomloan Road above.

3.9 Proposals for Upgrading of Elmbank Street, Pitt Street and Holland Street

A consultation event was held on 24 July, of which we became aware at very short notice, but we now have some details. We have requested ongoing notification but here is what Holland Street might look like in the future!

There is more information on the consultant’s website.

We aim to keep you informed of progress.

3.10 World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green

The World Pipe Band Championships take place on Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July and Glasgow Life have informed local residents, including your Digest author, of closures to roads around the Green and restrictions on access to the Green itself.

Unfortunately, the information provided was inadequate when it came to cycling and thus the following email was sent:

“Sent: 26 July 2019 14:02
To: GL Culture
Cc: GoBike! Convenor
Subject: World Pipe Band Championships, use of the National Cycle Route through Glasgow Green

Hello,
As a local resident I have today received the neighbour notification for the forthcoming World Pipe Band Championships to be held on Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July.

Your letter, ref WPBC2019/HC informs me of motor vehicle restrictions but does not mention the National Cycle Network Route (NCN) that passes through the Green. You do, of course, refer to the riverside “path”, which is where the NCN runs but you do not give any alternate route for people who are cycling to work, to their place of study, on business or for leisure. This is one of the busiest cycle routes in Glasgow, used by people of all ages and all cycling abilities and it is critical, not just for this event, but for all events on the Green, that clear alternatives are posted well in advance.

Thus, could you, by return, send me the alternative route that you propose for the NCN so that I may make all our GoBike members and supporters aware of the change in their journey well in advance of the 2 days? It is not good enough for people to arrive at a point where their route is blocked and to be told by a steward that they must retrace their route and take a diversion.

I hope that by doing this, we will be able to reduce the frustration felt by people cycling through the Green and thus reduce the number of complaints that are received by yourselves; complaints that may be avoided by good planning.

It is disappointing that world class events on the Green are marred by lack of attention to detail. I look forward to your prompt response.

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

A response was received a few days later, and here it is for you to judge its content!

Dear Tricia,

Thank you for your email.

As per every event at Glasgow Green – both ran by Glasgow Life and private companies – diversion routes will be in place and well signed in advance.

On the Friday it is a minor diversion within the park.

On the Saturday there is a diversion (example cycling from West to East) from Saltmarket (at Albert Bridge), across the bridge and left on to Ballater Street. Continue straight onto King’s Bridge and right back onto the current Cycle Network 75.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get back in touch.

Kind regards,
WPBC Team “

Needless to say, a further message has been sent to Glasgow LIfe, but if you are trying to cycle in or near Glasgow Green on 16 and 17 July, perhaps even trying to get to the “Worlds”, we can only apologise for not being able to get you clear information.

3.11 International interest to build first opening bridge over the River Clyde

We received this email from City Deal Renfrewshire on 31 July, giving us progress news on the proposed new bridge over the Clyde:

3.12 Yokecoco win funding for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village

Saving the best until last; here’s the excellent news that Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council, working in collaboration with Sustrans, have gained funding to progress their plans for transforming the area, see: https://www.facebook.com/yokecoco/ for all the details.
This is a wonderful achievement by the Community Council and local residents.

We first published details of the Traffic Regulation Order last year in Digest 12 and news of the initial public consultation events were given in Digest 9, Item 1.7 back in May last year, so people have been busy on this for a long time and the success is well deserved.

Your next Digest will be out with you in 2 weeks – who knows what news there will be?

The race will be taking place on the paths network within the green. Measures will be put in place to ensure minimal disruption along the cycle route.

To assist the organisers ask that cyclist keep to the river side of the path along NCN75. At any cross points stewards will keep delays to a minimum.

You can find more information about the race on the Shettelston Harriers website.

If you near by, pop along and provide support to those taking part.