Argyll & Bute

Tarbert Ferry Terminal to Whitehouse – Community Path

Continuing consultation on a path between Tarbert’s ferry terminal, on Loch Fyne, across the top of the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig ferry terminal/Whitehouse. Stage 2 consultation (Stage 1 was in 2024) with concept designs for the route alongside the A83. An in-person consultation event in Tarbert has passed. This path to the south-west seems to be separate from the north-east path project (Tarbet to Inverarnan).
Links: Tarbert to Whitehouse Community Path (Engagement Hub), large plan image (ZoomHub), Tarbert–Whitehouse survey, Feedback Map and ABC website page.
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September 2025 (17.00).

East Renfrewshire

Barrhead Road Active Corridor (Newton Mearns) 

Updated plans for the third phase of this route on Barrhead Road in Newton Mearns (phase 1 is still under construction on Aurs Road at Balgray Reservoir). This will be an important active travel link across the M77 motorway between Newton Mearns town centre and greenspace at the reservoir. “Barrhead Rd would include improved paths and crossings; priority for people walking, wheeling, and cycling at junctions; traffic calming measures; improved road crossings; and new signage.”
Drop-in event with the project team: Mearns Library on Wednesday 1 October from 3-7pm.
Links: Barrhead Rd Active Corridor page
Deadline: 26 October 2025.

Glasgow City

Avenues Plus Duke St/John Knox St

A ‘meet the contractor’ event for the Avenues Plus routes currently under construction on Duke St (and planned for John Knox St). Apparently, an “opportunity to view the plans, ask questions, and meet the contractor’s team from Rainton Construction”. Perhaps also to ask about potential links to the new Avenue on Ark Lane and Westercraigs (which could lead directly into the Drives if it had a contraflow bike lane)? Also, Bike for Good will have a Dr Bike (maintenance/servicing) session outside from 4.30 to 6.30pm.
Drop-in event at Dennistoun Library on Thursday 2 October 2025, 3.30 to 7.30pm.
In other Dennistoun news, a Traffic Regulation Order for parking controls is due out shortly.

Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove – Phase 4

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

Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhood – Phase 1

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

Townhead Greening and Connectivity event

Apologies that we missed this local event in Townhead in the run-up to our AGM. It was about the open spaces in the neighbourhood bordered by the new Avenues under construction on N Hanover St and Kyle St.

North Ayrshire

Maritime Mile, Irvine

This is a large development programme to improve Irvine’s harbour area. “Phase 2 will improve the layout and appearance of Harbour Street and Montgomery Street and connections between Irvine Railway Station and the Beach Park. Activity hubs and spaces will also be created providing new opportunities to enjoy the Harbourside area.” Most of the plans appear to be shared use paths.
Drop-in events:
Wed 8 October, 12 noon – 3pm: Rivergate Shopping Centre;
Wed 8 October, 5pm – 7pm: Fullarton Connexions.
Links: Maritime Mile page, proposals and survey.
Deadline: Sunday 12 October 2025.

North Lanarkshire

East Airdrie Link Road

Major changes for Stage 3 of EALR – a new access road added to the new hospital from Towers Rd. Pavements were previously dropped from the main EALR trunk road between Riggend and Newhouse. The new road, next to a school, and wider road safety measures gives an opportunity to push for better active travel provision to the hospital from both Airdrie and the village of Plains. NCN 75 passes through both places and next to Drumgelloch train station. It’s important NLC also retain existing plans for an active travel path/bridge between the hospital and station.
Links: EALR consultation page, EALR StoryMap.
Deadline: Sunday 26 October 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Coalburn path openings

No new consultations but a follow-up on previous Douglas Valley consultation and Active Travel studies of Clydesdale. Two new active travel paths recently opened around Coalburn, on NCN74 in rural South Lanarkshire, with a further path to follow between Coalburn and Douglas. Coalburn Community Action Group campaigned for the path project, which was managed by Community Action Lanarkshire.
Being close to wind farms and potential for tourism seem to have helped with funding, according to SLC’s South Lanarkshire View:
“Construction funding was provided by South Lanarkshire Scotland Renewable Energy Fund (REF) via OnPath Middlemuir Windfarm and Walking Scotland’s Ian Findlay Path Fund.… …The work is part of a larger initiative to enhance the recreational and tourism offer, which includes the development of a Douglas Valley focussed Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism scope, progressed by the Douglas Valley Advisory Group.”
Links: Coalburn to Poneil active travel path and Coalburn to Lesmahagow active travel path.

Argyll & Bute

Tarbert Ferry Terminal to Whitehouse – Community Path

Further consultation on a path between Tarbert’s ferry terminal, on Loch Fyne, across the top of the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig ferry terminal/Whitehouse. There are concept designs for the route between the two, alongside the A83. This is a Stage 2 consultation (Stage 1 was in 2024). There was an in-person consultation event in Tarbert that has passed. This path to the south-west seems to be separate from the project to create a path to the north-east (Tarbet to Inverarnan).
Links: Tarbert to Whitehouse Community Path (Engagement Hub), large plan image (ZoomHub), Tarbert–Whitehouse survey, Feedback Map and ABC website page.
Deadline: Tuesday 30 September 2025 (17.00).

East Dunbartonshire

LDP3 – Call for Ideas and Sites Consultation

Part of the Council’s continuing work to prepare its next Local Development Plan (LDP). The plan will guide what land in East Dunbartonshire is used for development. The call for ideas is about planning policy and spatial strategy. The call for sites is for general ideas or developers with plans about how to develop areas of land. The call for sites may be an opportunity to lobby for active travel routes.
Two drop-in information sessions (Kirkintilloch/Milngavie) have already passed.
Links: LDP3 web page, LDP3 call for ideas survey and LDP3 call for sites survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 September 2025.

East Renfrewshire

Parks & Green Spaces

ERC say: “We want to learn about your experience of visiting and using parks and greenspaces in East Renfrewshire. Which parks are your favourite? What do you like about them? What do you think could be better? The results of the survey will be used to inform the new Open Space Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.”
East Ren parks and green spaces with important active travel links include: Rouken Glen Park, Balgray Reservoir and Whitelee Wind Farm. There are also some ‘missing links’, like the wasteground and disused bridge between Williamwood train station and Eastwood Health & Care Centre.
Link: East Ren parks and green spaces consultation.
Deadline (extended): 12 September 2025.

Thornliebank Consultations

Feedback about completed projects in Thornliebank, including access improvements to Thornliebank Playing Fields.
Link: Thornliebank Consultations page and Thornliebank Projects Feedback survey.
Deadline: no obvious deadline.

Inverclyde

Proposed Installation of Road Humps – Kirn Drive, Gourock (ETRO)

Following previous consultation, Inverclyde Council propose traffic calming on Kirn Drive in Midton, Gourock. The road would be made one-way between Arran Rd in east and Divert Rd in west with humps added. Also, Staffa Street would be made one-way from Ivy Crescent to Kingsway east. An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) usually lasts 18 months to pilot a change.
Link: Kirn Dr, Gourock TRO page.
Deadline (extended): 1 September 2025.

North Ayrshire

Montgomerie Park, Irvine

North Ayrshire Council is planning the development of 188 new homes at Montgomerie Park, Irvine. Following previous consultations, the final plans for the site are available to view. A proposed road at the south of the new estate seems to include a cycle path but there are no details on width/surface.
Link: Montgomery Park page and final plans (PDF).
Deadline: Sunday 31 August 2025.

Renfrewshire

Outcomes of previous consultations

Renfewshire Council’s new website has an ‘Outcome available’ section with feedback from previous consultations. These include: Erskine Town Centre consultation and Johnston Civic Squares consultation.
Link: Renfrewshire Council consultations and ‘Outcome available’ page.

South Lanarkshire

Update on Hamilton Town Centre Masterplan

An update from South Lanarkshire Council is mostly about progress with property. Sadly, this includes demolishing the facade of the former Vogue Bingo hall on Keith St (apparently as it’s now unsafe). Other negative news includes the trial reintroduction of cars on Quarry St being made permanent. Quarry St used to be pedestrianised – see featured image at top of post from 2012 (with Vogue building in background). Car parking had crept up since the pandemic (leading to the trial). There should be disabled parking and it always had some access for loading, etc. However, officially opening the street to all cars removes safe space for walking, wheeling and cycling (even if it’s still one-way and not really a through road).

Also, work is starting to look at renewing the Duke St multi-storey car park – it’s due to be demolished (apart from the section under Wyler Tower!). However, the plan is to build a new multi-storey in the same place, on the wrong side of the road from the shops! It could potentially have been moved behind Quarry St, in the footprint of the current Regent Shopping Centre, if road access had been adjusted (see alternative plans, ignored by SLC). There is due to be an improved pedestrian/cycle path behind the Duke St car park, to Hamilton Central station, but it doesn’t seem like the rest of the town centre will be very cycle-friendly.

Local Action Fund

The Local Action Fund is £50,000 for each of the 20 council wards in South Lanarkshire. Several projects have already been awarded but there is funding remaining in some wards. There doesn’t seem to be a formal consultation or application process – constituents have to contact their councillors, who will decide where the remaining funds go.

For example, Rutherglen South, Ward 11, reportedly has £23,200 still to be spent by Councillors Robert Brown (who has attended GoBike hustings in the past), Margaret Cowie and Carol Nugent. Could some of the funding go towards improving local active travel routes?

East Renfrewshire

Parks & Green Spaces

ERC say: “We want to learn about your experience of visiting and using parks and greenspaces in East Renfrewshire. Which parks are your favourite? What do you like about them? What do you think could be better? The results of the survey will be used to inform the new Open Space Strategy and Local Development Plan 3.”
East Ren parks and green spaces with important active travel links include: Rouken Glen Park, Balgray Reservoir and Whitelee Wind Farm. There are also some ‘missing links’, like the wasteground and disused bridge between Williamwood train station and Eastwood Health & Care Centre.
Link: East Ren parks and green spaces consultation.
Deadline: 14 July 2025.

Glasgow City

North Laurieston Masterplan – Stage 1

This seems to be in early stages so not many details about plans yet. Laurieston area on south bank of Clyde sits between city centre and Gorbals. South Portland Street’s Avenues Plus project (linking from suspension bridge) has been paused for this masterplan.
Drop-in event: Tuesday, 24 June, between 2-8pm (with a presentation at 6.30pm) in the Savings Bank, 57 Bridge St, Glasgow G5 9JB.
Links: North Laurieston event tweet and North Laurieston microsite.
Deadline: no obvious deadline.

City Network feedback – South & Inner North areas

Report on consultation process and next steps. GCC say: “Around 60% of the comments were positive, 24% negative, and the rest neutral. Positive comments generally supported active travel infrastructure; negative comments questioned the use of funds or raised unrelated issues… Engagement was stronger in the South”. The second stage of consultation added a few short routes in each area based on earlier suggestions.

Consultation events included the Saracen Street Active Travel Project with a choice of two routes – one on Saracen St and an alternative route on Sunnylaw St behind it. This downgrading of routes off of main roads onto back street ‘Quietways’, with little or no traffic calming, has happened in both areas. However, it has had more effect on the South area, along with routes being “paused”. While there is still a skeleton network, it’s been eroded from the initial ambitions. Most recently seen in Kilmarnock Rd planned bike lanes being moved due to opposition. The good news is nine routes will be taken forward (four Inner North and five South).

National funding changes mean “current City Network and Liveable Neighbourhood programmes will be reviewed and consolidated to maximise delivery opportunities.” We’ve yet to see what happens with the other Phase 1 area, Greater Govan, after a recent meeting held by shop keepers opposed to cycle lanes. However, it puts a big question mark over the 2030/31 timescale.
Links: Plans for 11km of City Network routes and City Network Inner North & South report (PDF).

Liveable Neighbourhoods update (Tranche 3, Stage 2)

There are in-depth reports for four areas. GCC say: “The initiatives which have been shaped by community input are detailed in reports for the Cardonald to Mosspark, Knightswood to Anniesland, Lambhill to Milton and Ruchazie to Easterhouse areas…”
But… “Due to recent changes in national funding structures, efforts are now underway to enhance collaboration across our services, investigate new delivery methods for the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, and identify additional funding sources that can support the development of prospective projects to construction.”
Links: Potential Neighbourhood projects and LN Programme Tranche 3 report (PDF).

North Ayrshire

Local Development Plan 3 – Call for Ideas

NAC say: “Individuals, community bodies, organisations, landowners and developers are invited to submit their ideas for what should be included in LDP3. This may include ideas for the development of land or buildings; ideas relating to policies to be included in LDP3 and applied to the assessment of future planning applications, or any other aspect of the new local development plan.”
Links: NAC LDP3 info page and LDP3 survey.
Deadline: Monday 30 June 2025.

North Lanarkshire

East Airdrie Link Road – Stage 3

Formerly ‘Airdrie bypass’, now due to link to new hospital site. No cycle lanes and pavement seems to have been removed since earlier plans. Latest stage is “…part of the Pre-Application Notice (25/00593/PAN), which was submitted on 28 May 2025 and is the first stage in the process of applying for planning permission.”

Drop-in events:

• Airdrie Library – Tuesday 17 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm
• Chapelhall Library – Thursday 19 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm
• Cumbernauld Library – Tuesday 24 June 2025, 2pm to 7pm

Links: EALR stage 3 consultation – feedback in person or via email: EALR@northlan.gov.uk.
Deadline: Sunday 10 August 2025.

Renfrewshire

Johnstone Civic Squares

“Following completion of the Johnstone Town Centre Vision in spring 2024, Page\Park Architects were appointed by Renfrewshire Council to develop enhancements for the two Civic Squares in the town – Houstoun Square and Ludovic Square – as well as the Houstoun Court precinct which provides a key link between the squares.”
Links: Johnstone Squares consultation and display boards (PDF).
Deadline:  22 June 2025.

This issue includes a regional strategy, a few TROs, openings, development plans, Lanarkshire parks and Renfrewshire villages.

There’s another event about Elderslie TODAY 2–7pm in Erskine Sport Centre.

There have been some responses about the future of the Digest. They’ve been split between ones who like the current Digest and those in favour of a more general newsletter.

I’m still open to receiving more responses. Please send your thoughts about the Digest to: consultations@gobike.org.

Featured Consultation

SPT Draft Regional Active Travel Strategy

Organisation: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Subject: A chance to have your say about a proposed network of walking/cycling routes for towns and villages across the Strathclyde region. The gist is main ‘spoke’/corridor routes towards Glasgow, a few radial routes and a triangle of links in Ayrshire. These are shown in the loosely labelled Connecting Places map and other numbered AT network maps (which can be hard to follow). SPT seem to prioritise cross-boundary routes, with varying results. For example, the existing route from Uddingston to Viewpark (SPT number it as 50_10) – a 1km upgrade where NCN 74 & 75 meet on North/South Lanarkshire boundary – is a ‘top’ priority. Meanwhile, a niche cross-region route from Lanark to Livingstone (CRR_12 – South Lanarkshire/West Lothian) is ‘high’ priority at 32km! However, a 5km route from East Kilbride to Hamilton, South Lanarkshire (37_10) – currently 60mph roads with no safe cycle route between Scotland’s 6th and 8th largest settlements – is only ‘medium’ priority!? The quality of cycle track described is an improvement on some of the plans SPT have funded in the past (most notably the redesign of Pollok Roundabout). However, the strategy has no timescales or budgets and SPT lost all their capital funding last year. Despite that setback, they are influential in the regional Glasgow Bus Partnership and on ‘bus vs cycle’ routes (via Glasgow’s Spatial Delivery Framework).
Featured: Consultation Extra (20-10-23).
Website links: Regional Active Travel Strategy webpage, Regional AT Strategy storymap (including interactive Priority map), draft Regional ATS document (PDF) and Regional ATS online survey.
Deadline: 1 September 2024.

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

1.1: Calderglen & Chatelherault Country Parks masterplans

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Consultation about masterplans for Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride and Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton/Ferniegair. Calderglen (by A726 Strathaven Rd) could become part of segregated route already started on Churchill Ave and due to go via nearby SL College. Chatelherault contains part of current NCN74 (between Larkhall and Hamilton). Potential for cycle infrastructure at eastern entrance and possible links west to Barncluith.
Website links: SL View webpage with survey link.
Deadline: Officially passed [14 August 2024] but survey seemed to still be open.

1.2: North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 – Topic Paper Consultation (Batch 3)

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: Supplementary guidance topic papers for NL LDP2.
Featured: Digest 158, 1.6 (Batch 1 – we seem to have missed Batch 2, apologies).
Website links: NL LDP2 Topic Papers Consultation webpage and Topic Paper Consultation – Batch 3 survey.
Deadline: 29 August 2024.

1.3: Elderslie For Everyone (further workshop)

Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: Turns out there’s another event for Elderslie consultation.
Event: Thursday 22 August, 2pm – 7pm in Erskine Sport Centre, Kilpatrick Dr, Erskine PA8 7AF. An online survey is due to open. “If you live in Erskine, share your views and help determine future improvements to greenspaces within the town centre and riverfront…”
Website links: Erskine town centre consultation webpage, Elderslie for Everyone Commonplace website and Elderslie online survey (opens 22 Sept, after event).
Deadline: 6 September 2024 (5pm).

1.4: New parking laws (Renfrewshire)

Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: How Renfrewshire will implement the national pavement parking prohibitions. Apparently “enforcing these in Renfrewshire from November 2024.” However, 22 locations would be exempt – the consultation is about the exemption order. RC invite feedback but only by letter or email: ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Website links: Renfrewshire Council’s New parking laws webpage.
Deadline: 11 September 2024.

1.5: Renfrewshire Villages Safe Walking Initiative

Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: Despite the name, it seems to include cycling: “…transport consultants Stantec [will] carry out a study in Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Elderslie and Lochwinnoch. The study aims to create a safer environment in the villages for all road users by managing traffic speeds, to encourage people to walk, wheel, and cycle more often for local trips.”
Website links: Renfrewshire Villages Safe Walking Initiative storymap, Renfrewshire Council VSWI webpage, Bishopton survey, Bridge of Weir survey, Elderslie survey and Lochwinnoch survey.
Deadline: 22 September 2024.

1.6: Tell Us About Your Place (West Dunbartonshire)

Council: West Dunbartonshire.
Subject: A survey based on the Place Standard tool to ‘score’ areas of the county. 
Events – In Person drop-in (with presentation at 4.30pm):
– Alexandria Community Centre, 28 August 2024, 3pm – 7pm
– Dalmuir Community Centre, 11 September 2024, 3pm – 7pm.
Virtual Drop-in events: 28 August, 10am – 11:30am and 3 September, 6:30pm – 8pm.
Website links: Tell Us About Your Place webpage (including survey link).
Deadline: 30 September 2024.

1.7: South Lanarkshire – Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3)

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Plan to “set out how our places will look in the future”.
Website links: South Lanarkshire View article and LDP3 webpage (including survey link).
Deadline: 30 September 2024.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Govan – (Yorkhill) Partick bridge opening

Council: Glasgow.
Subject: The official opening of the bridge will be on Friday 6 September. This might be for invitees only but it’s meant to be open to the public on Saturday 7 Sept. Since it’s a swing bridge, that should mean the deck is closed so people can actually cross it. Either way, it will be a major new pedestrian/cycle link between Govan and the West End. It will allow people to cycle directly to/from the middle of Govan Road, avoiding Pacific Drive/Prince’s Quay. Also, the northern path from the bridge by the Riverside Museum goes to the (slightly hidden) underpass to Ferry Rd, where new protected cycleways lead towards Byres Road.

2.2: Irvine building openings

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Two openings in Irvine that could shape the next generation of active travellers. The former is Marress House, an office block converted into an early years centre. It’s next to the council HQ, by a dual carriageway, and opening a year late (but at least has some secure bike parking). The latter is Montgomerie Park Primary School, in a recent estate with decent existing (shared) paths (despite being close to A736 Long Drive). Just to show, sometimes things do follow good practice…

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Subject: A807 Auchenhowie Road – 30mph speed limit/Redetermination of pavement. Two TROs to prepare for the A807 Active Travel Corridor route between Milngavie and Torrance. One extends the 30mph zone towards Milngavie, the other makes the existing northern pavement into a shared path. It seems to be set back at side roads but we’ll try to find out more about priority and infra plans.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

Unfortunately, this Digest is even later than other recent issues as it’s become a struggle for your author to find time for them. This issue has less info than previous ones so it’s quicker to produce. The format of the Digest will have to change further to make it sustainable in future.

1.1: Ayrshire Central, Irvine – Final plans

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Final plans for this housing development on the site of former residencies at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine.
Featured: Digest 136, 1.3.
Website links: Ayrshire Central, Irvine Final Plans Consultation.
Deadline: 5 November 2023 (by email to developmentandstrategy@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or by phone).

1.2: Gallowhill, Paisley – proposed one-way system

Council: Renfrewshire.
Area: Gallowhill, Paisley (not to be confused with Garrowhill in the East End of Glasgow).
Subject: Proposed one-way system for a neighbourhood in north-east Paisley. A clockwise loop on Montgomery Road/Netherhill Cottages around Gallowhill Primary School – apparently, to help with bus links (McGills reinstating their 64 route).
Website links: Gallowhill one-way proposals.
Deadline: 10 November 2023 (via email: ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk, phone or in writing).

1.3: Regional Active Travel Strategy

Organisation: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Subject: SPT are a key funder for active travel, especially outside Glasgow. They say they want to hear “feedback on the key opportunities and problems associated with walking, wheeling and cycling across the west of Scotland.” So, it’s an important chance to ask for missing routes between/around towns and villages in the region.
Website links: Regional Active Travel Strategy webpage, ‘project purpose’ Storymap and ATS public survey.
Deadline: 12 November 2023.

1.4: City Centre Strategy

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: City Centre Strategy (CCS) 2024-2030 “brings together the “Big Moves” that will transform Glasgow’s city centre in the short to medium term.” Redevelopments include both Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre, major housing developments along the Clyde, further Avenues and recommendations from the District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs).
Website links:City Centre Strategy document (PDF, 7.6MB) and CCS survey.
Featured: Digest 128, 1.4 (DRFs).
Deadline: 3 December 2023.

1.5: My Neighbourhood, My City – Place Standard Survey

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

1.6: North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) UPDATED

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Updated plans for protected cycle lanes using width on Wallacewell Rd, Northgate Rd, Broomfield Rd, Balornock Rd and Red Road. Also, kerbs protection at junctions and some interesting crossings (including to a school).
Featured: Digest 15, 1.1.
Website links: NEATR Storymap.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (previous consultation took place in 2018 so this new process may just be for info).

1.7: East Kilbride town centre: A new vision

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Redevelopment demolishing Centre West for housing, with a new north-south street put next to it. Other demolitions would create space for a new town square and car parking by the Queensway trunk road.
Website links: EK consultation boards and EK questionnaire.
Deadline: No obvious deadline but events finished late September.

1.8: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

Company: New Practice (architecture practice the late Emma Burke Newman worked with).
Subject: Community engagement about junctions on Clyde St – Gorbals St at the Clutha Vaults pub, Albert Bridge (by the High Court) and George V bridge/Broomielaw (by the casino).
Featured: Digest 141, 1.7.
Website links: Waiting to Happen consultation page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline (but New Practice say they’ll review the submissions and present to councillors).

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

None this time.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

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

Forthcoming consultations

Community Conversation on Travel in Govanhill, Glasgow

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

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

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

2: Consultation Feedback

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

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

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

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

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

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

1.2: Ayrshire Central, Irvine – Final plans

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

1.3: Gallowhill, Paisley – proposed one-way system

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

1.4: North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) UPDATED

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

1.5: East Kilbride town centre: A new vision

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

1.6: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Govan-Partick bridge progress

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

2.2: Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – October 2023

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

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

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

3.2: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

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

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

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

As we move into summer holiday time (and Pride month) some new consultations are coming out. The biggest in this issue is the final section of Glasgow’s Avenues Plus project – Duke St and John Knox St. Also, another look at plans for Bishopbriggs town centre. Elsewhere it’s North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Loch Lomond.

Sadly May ended with news of a serious collision on Fielden St, Glasgow with a car driver reportedly hitting a cyclist. Tragically, John Morton died in hospital from his injuries on 4 June. GoBike would like to offer sincere condolences to John’s family and friends.

Fielden Street leads north from the corner at London Road police station in the East End. It’s a 4-lane road going uphill with a very poor surface in places. It’s one of the main routes between the M8 and M74 motorways and has issues with drivers speeding and changing lanes without warning. As with the death of Emma Burke Newman in January, the collision that led to John’s death was on a section of road without any protection but close to new cycling infrastructure (the East City Way under construction on London Road).

Earlier in May, the Glasgow Times published an article about road deaths in Glasgow in 2023 passing 2022’s total. Sadly, the number has already risen further. It emphasises the need for protected cycle lanes that are starting to cover more areas of Glasgow and elsewhere. However, there is still a very long way to go.

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans
2. North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3
3. Bishopbriggs Civic Space
4. North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey
5. Duke Street & John Knox Street Avenues Plus project
6. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan
7. Devon Street Urban Park

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City Network Delivery Plan – Approved
2. Accessible and Inclusive Design Forum

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

1. East Dunbartonshire TROs
2. Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

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

1.1: Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Two sites are being redeveloped – part of Ayrshire Central Hospital’s grounds and Montgomerie Park in Irvine, either side of the A78. Both housing plans include accessible homes and walking/cycling links. Montgomerie Park seems to include a cycle path alongside the site, which links to an existing off-road path, but there isn’t much detail on width or design. Each development had an in-person consultation event in June.
Featured: Digest 120, 1.6.
Website links: Ayrshire Central Hospital revised draft plans and Montgomerie Park consultation revised draft plans.
Deadline: 16 June 2023.

1.2: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

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

1.3: Bishopbriggs Civic Space

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: Latest stage of consultation, now looking to finalise designs for phase 1 works. The ‘civic space’ is on Kirkintilloch Rd (A803) at the cross next to St Matthews Church and the Triangle shopping centre. The main focus is removing a mini-roundabout, service road and car parking to create a larger public space. Masterplan B is the preferred option EDC want to fine-tune. Visualisations for that option include a very short 2-way protected cycleway (~130m) on the western side of the A803. However, the wider masterplan shows a bi-directional cycleway continuing south of Bishopbriggs Cross (at Kenmure Ave/Springfield Rd). It’s not clear how to get in or out of the lane going southbound. It seems you may have to go on the carriageway in between the junctions so it probably wouldn’t work for an ‘unaccompanied 12-year-old’, as cited in guidance like Cycling by Design or LTN 1/20.
Website links: Bishopbriggs Civic Space storymap.
Deadline: June 30 2023.

1.4: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

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

1.5: Duke Street & John Knox Street Avenues Plus project

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Long-awaited plans to add a cycleway and other improvements on Duke St and John Knox St, east of the city centre. The Avenues Plus project was awarded Sustrans funding in July 2019. The Duke St Avenue is about 1km long between George St and Bellgrove St. It doesn’t include the busy area where pedestrian Cameron Eaglesham was recently killed by a lorry driver. However, the Tennent’s Wellpark brewery and Drygate mean both streets have HGVs and buses. John Knox St goes north from Duke St uphill to a busy junction with Castle St at Cathedral Square. The original 2019 visual showed 1-way lanes on Duke St at the High St junction. Instead, the latest consultation images have a choice between 2-way lanes either on the northern or southern side of the road. Public events take place today (15 June) along Duke St then at Dennistoun Library from 2pm – 6.30pm.
Website links: GCC Consultation page and consultant’s site (due to go live from 15 June).
Deadline: 13 July 2023.

1.6: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

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

1.7: Devon Street Urban Park

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network Delivery Plan – Approved

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The plan about how the City Network will be delivered has now been approved by the council. See maps and further info in previous issues and via links, below.
Featured: Phases 0 and 1 (Digest 134, 2.1), Phases 2 and 3 (135, 2.1) and Phases 4 and 5 (136, 2.1).
Website links: City Network roll-out approved and City Network – Delivery Plan report.

2.2: Accessible and Inclusive Design Forum

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Successor to the previous Active Travel Forum, the AIDF is a very different partnership meeting. It looks at accessibility issues with new infrastructure – especially issues for visually impaired people and with input from Glasgow Disability Alliance. GoBike and Freewheel North were the only cycling-related groups represented (plus a Sustrans rep) out of about 20 people.
There was quite a lot of venting at the council about previous and ongoing issues with engagement, infrastructure and approach to the group and how it was reported. Later, there were some constructive points about bus stop bypasses. However, most visually impaired members wanted them scrapped and there was some negativity about cycling. Also, there was bad news about Argyle St West lanes, which weave around rain gardens and loading bays. With rail tunnels as little as 20cm under the road surface, there’s only enough depth for rain gardens further out. It’s not clear if the West plans need so many, as SEPA’s Flood Maps suggest more flood risk around Central Station and Argyle St East. However, the council officer wouldn’t engage about changing or moving rain gardens (due to ‘funding linked to environmental performance’).
The AIDF isn’t an easy assignment for GoBike. It’s due to move to a new format, meeting every three months, so it’s one we’ll need to get to grips with.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Areas: Kirkintilloch.
Subject: A TRO about raised road tables on Union St, Kirkie – deadline: 14 July 2023.
A series of TROs about Canniesburn Toll were sent to GoBike just before this Digest was published but aren’t on EDC’s website yet. They say these will be published in local press next week so we’ll pick them up in the next Digest.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: Parking TRO for Springhill Parkway/Springcroft Road, Baillieston (near Easterhouse train station) – ends 16 June.
Various school streets are being made permanent. Also, the Raeberry St/Mount St TROs (part of Connecting Woodside) have been made.
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

The heat is on in June with tight deadlines and tight spaces in South Lanarkshire and Argyll & Bute. Also, updates from North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire.

As the Argyle Street West TRO closes, an Avenues Plus consultation is due to open in the East End.

It’s also an important time for GoBike with our AGM on Saturday 3 June (World Bicycle Day!), our monthly ride on Sunday 4 June and then the Accessible and Inclusive Design Forum on the Monday.

Forthcoming events

Glasgow Avenues Plus – Duke Street & John Knox Street, Community Drop-in Event:
Thursday 15 June 2023 at Dennistoun Library, 2pm–6.30pm (and on-street along route).
An online questionnaire will go live on 15 June (on Ironside Farrar’s consultation website).
See further information in this Dennistoun Community Council article. 

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

1. East Kilbride Town Centre Active Travel Network – Phase 1.4
2. Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route
3. Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans
4. Argyle St West (Traffic Regulation Order)
5. North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3
6. North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey
7. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan
8. Devon Street Urban Park

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 4 & 5)
2. Muir Street, Motherwell – Transport facilities open

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

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

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

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

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

1.2: Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route

Council: Argyll & Bute.
Area: Coast north from Dunoon ferry terminal to Hunter’s Quay ferry terminal.
Subject: A rare appearance by A&BC with an active travel route to link two ports. Consultants Stantec say: “The proposed active travel route was subject to engagement work in 2018-2019 and is now being revisited due to a change in national cycle design standards. Draft concept designs will be produced for the entire route.  Due to the limited street space on the section of route between James Street and Hunters Quay Ferry Terminal, three potential options are presented for further consideration prior to developing designs.” The impact of new standards is shown in option 2 for Hunter’s Quay – potentially repositioning a sea wall!
Website links: Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel consultation.
Deadline: 6 June 2023.

1.3: Irvine housing developments – Revised draft plans

Council: North Ayrshire.
Subject: Two sites are being redeveloped – part of Ayrshire Central Hospital’s grounds and Montgomerie Park in Irvine, either side of the A78. Both housing plans include accessible homes and walking/cycling links. Montgomerie Park seems to include a cycle path alongside the site, which links to an existing off-road path, but there isn’t much detail on width or design. Each development is due to have an in-person consultation event:
Ayrshire Central Hospital – 6 June 2023, 4pm–6pm at Castlepark Community Centre.
Montgomerie Park – 13 June 2023, 4pm–6pm at Lanfine Community Centre.
Featured: Digest 120, 1.6.
Website links: Ayrshire Central Hospital revised draft plans and Montgomerie Park consultation revised draft plans.
Deadline: 16 June 2023.

1.4: Argyle St West (Traffic Regulation Order)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The public (Stage 2) TRO is out for this Avenues project. GoBike wrote to the council about the plans at Stage 1 (consultees only). GCC’s reply went into some technical details. The project was on hold during the pandemic so designs date from before the update of Cycling by Design (2021). Existing roadspace becomes one-way cycle lane weaved around car parking bays. We’ve previously heard that the shallow Argyle St rail tunnel dictates where ‘rain gardens’ can go. Apparently, that’s why the plans have planting nearer buildings and the cycle lane at the kerb. However, the zigzag bike lanes will be seen as Glasgow’s answer to the notorious lanes on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. Western Argyle St may not be as busy but large developments west of the M8 will soon increase footfall. The order also covers the ‘Hielenman’s umbrella’ and one-ways on Albion St/Shuttle St (Merchant City).
Featured: Digest 101, 2.2.
Website links: GCC Proposed TROs, Argyle St West TRO documents.
Deadline: 19 June 2023 (typo in original date, it was 9th – apologies).

1.5: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

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

1.6: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

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

1.7: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

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

1.8: Devon Street Urban Park

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 4 & 5)

Subject: An important report from the council about how the City Network will be delivered. The main headline is the phasing and distances planned. Phases 0–3 were covered in previous Digests. No exact timescales were given except that whole network is intended to be complete within ten years (or 2030 in some reports).
Phase 4 – Drumchapel–Anniesland (6km), Robroyston (6km), Ruchazie (11km), King’s Park–Carmunnock (14km).
Phase 5 – Anniesland–Partick (6km), Kelvindale (8km), Tollcross–Garrowhill (13km), Nitshill (7km).
The spread of distances in these phases goes from 14km in King’s Park–Carmunnock down to 6km for Anniesland or Robroyston.
The report also says: “While a phasing plan has been developed for the City Network, this has to be regarded as indicative. It is critically important that delivery is flexible and reactive to take advantage of any development and funding opportunities which may emerge. As such, phasing proposals will be regularly reviewed.”
Featured: Digest 134, 2.1, Digest 135, 2.1.
Website links: City Network – Delivery Plan report.

2.2: Muir Street, Motherwell – Transport facilities open

Subject: North Lanarkshire Council sent the following:
“Work on the new transport hub at Muir Street in Motherwell is now complete.
The expanded bus stop next to Motherwell Rail Station is open, with a refurbished shelter and space for four buses. Real time information signs will be installed soon. 
A new access road and path runs between Hamilton Road and the station, with a rank for eight taxis, parking for blue badge holders, and drop off spaces has opened. The feeder taxi rank on High Road is also still available. Cycle parking is available in front of the station. Scotrail’s improvement work at Motherwell train station will be complete by the end of June. The transport hub project is being funded jointly by Transport Scotland, SPT, North Lanarkshire Council, through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and ScotRail.”
It’s good to see the new facilities finally finished (original date was summer 2022).
Featured: Digest 92, 3.1.
Website links: North Lanarkshire Council, Muir Street page.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Areas: Bishopbriggs.
Subject: A TRO about parking named ‘Thrums & Ochil’ (for Linnhe Ave, Ochil Rd and Thrums Ave, Bishopbriggs). Made on 24 April to take effect on 12 June 2023.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: See Argyle St West, above. There’s also a parking TRO for Springhill Parkway (and Springcroft Road), Baillieston – near Easterhouse train station.
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Areas: Towns and villages throughout the county.
Subject: Part-time 20 miles per hour speed restrictions – many around schools. Various Roads (Central region) covers Airdrie, Bellshill, Calderbank, Caldercruix, Coatbridge, Plains and Tannochside (page says Uddingston). Deadline: 14 June.
Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

Plans for Argyle St West have re-appeared as a Traffic Order, looking very similar to the last time we shook our heads at them. Most other consultations are continued from the last issue in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and the National Park. Plus, there’s more on the phases of the City Network Delivery Plan.

Also, there are new events on the horizon for Govan Graving Docks…

Forthcoming events

Govan Graving Docks – Co-design Consultations (active travel route/riverside park):
Thursday 25 May 2023.
14:30–16:30 – The Riverside Hall, 29–31 Clydebrae St, Govan, Glasgow G51 2AJ.
17:30–19:30 – The Pearce Institute, 840–860 Govan Rd, Govan, Glasgow G51 3UU.
A second consultation is planned for August. More details should follow at Govan Graving Docks website.

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

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

2: Consultation Feedback

1. City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 2 and 3)

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

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

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

1.1: Clydesdale Active Travel studies

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

1.2: Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove

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

1.3: Improving Southholm Roundabout (Erskine)

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

1.4: North Woodside Road Consultation

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

1.5: East Renfrewshire Third Local Development Plan

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

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

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

1.7: Argyle St West (Traffic Regulation Order)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The public (Stage 2) TRO is out for this Avenues project. GoBike wrote to the council about the plans at Stage 1 (consultees only). GCC’s reply went into some technical details. The project was on hold during the pandemic so designs date from before the update of Cycling by Design (2021). Existing roadspace becomes one-way cycle lane weaved around car parking bays. We’ve previously heard that the shallow Argyle St rail tunnel dictates where ‘rain gardens’ can go. Apparently, that’s why the plans have planting nearer buildings and the cycle lane at the kerb. However, the zigzag bike lanes will be seen as Glasgow’s answer to the notorious lanes on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. Western Argyle St may not be as busy but large developments west of the M8 will soon increase footfall. The order also covers the ‘Hielenman’s umbrella’ and one-ways on Albion St/Shuttle St (Merchant City).
Featured: Digest 101, 2.2.
Website links: GCC Proposed TROs, Argyle St West TRO documents.
Deadline: 19 June 2023.

1.8: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

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

1.9: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

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

1.10: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

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

1.11: Devon Street Urban Park

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network – Delivery Plan (Phases 2 & 3)

Subject: An important report from the council about how the City Network will be delivered. The main headline is the phasing and distances planned. Phases 0 and 1 were covered in the previous Digest. No exact timescales were given except that whole network is intended to be complete within ten years (or 2030 in some reports).
Phase 2 – Yoker–Whiteinch (24km), Dennistoun–Carntyne (20km) and Greater Gorbals–Dalmarnock (19km).
Phase 3 – Anderston–Woodlands (22km), North Maryhill–Barmulloch (11km), North Cardonald–Pollok (13km) and Pollokshaws–Mansewood (9km).
Seeing Phase 3 alongside previous phases shows the area around the city centre would be covered. Also, that the distances drop off dramatically in “Mid Priority Clusters” from 22km in Anderston–Woodlands to 9km in Pollokshaws–Mansewood.
Phases 4 and 5 will be in the next Digest.
Featured: Digest 134, 2.1.
Website links: City Network – Delivery Plan report.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

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

3.2: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: See Argyle St West, above.
Website links: Glasgow City Proposed TROs and Glasgow City Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Areas: Towns and villages throughout the county.
Subject: Part-time 20 miles per hour speed restrictions – many around schools. Various Roads (Central region) covers Airdrie, Bellshill, Calderbank, Caldercruix, Coatbridge, Plains and Tannochside (page says Uddingston). Deadline: 14 June.
Also, NLC have a consultation about parking in Cumbernauld village focussed on locals (asks for name/postcode – ends 22 May).
Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

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

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

Forthcoming events

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

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

1: Current Consultations

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

2: Consultation Feedback

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

3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

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

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

1.1: Westerhill Regeneration Area Framework Masterplan

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

1.2: Clydesdale Active Travel studies

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

1.3: Connecting Yorkhill and Kelvingrove

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

1.4: Improving Southholm Roundabout (Erskine)

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

1.5: North Woodside Road Consultation

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

1.6: East Renfrewshire Third Local Development Plan

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

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

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

1.8: North Ayrshire Local Development Plan 3

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

1.9: North Lanarkshire Council – Green and open space survey

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

1.10: Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan

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

1.11: Devon Street Urban Park

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: City Network – Delivery Plan (Phase 1)

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

2.2: Causeyside Street Regeneration – dropped

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

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

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

2.4: Glasgow Uni Campus newsletter – April 2023

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

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

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

3.2: Glasgow City Traffic Calming

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

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

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