Just six of us set off on a rainy day – the official first day of spring, for a journey to the north -east of the city. Yet again, there was somewhere new for each of us.

We cycled into the city and up to Sighthill, before turning east to skirt Hogganfield Loch, some of our route along cycle lanes part full of mud and past flytipping sites. We skirted Lenzie and cycled through Merkland, before heading towards the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Here we met the most surprising structure on the ride:

Yes, we stopped at the south side and watched cars drive through before we ventured under the bridge, carefully keeping to the centre of the road to smile happily for this photo.

Then it was up to the canal for the ride back to Glasgow, with a lunch stop at the Stables Pub en route.
The ride officially finished at the Stockingfield Bridge over the canal, distance 23 miles with riders then making their way back home, most of us towards the city.

Here’s the route, should you wish to check it out: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3247559?units=km

Our next ride will be on Sunday, 05 April, heading west to Erskine, see here for details

This ride will see us head northeast from Glasgow, stopping briefly in Hogganfield Park, see photo above, and then over the council boundary into North Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire.

We will use some country lanes and the Strathkelvin Railway Path, then head to Merkland Nature Reserve. After that, we will join the Forth & Clyde Canal for the return to Glasgow, with potential for a stop at The Stables.
25 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, but some bits on main roads here and there, and one big hill. Some unsealed paths as well.

Meet 10am at the north end of Bell’s Bridge, next to Congress Road, Glasgow.

For more information on GoBike cycle rides, see here.

Glasgow City

Connecting Greater Govan – Route 1: Govan Road to Pollok Country Park

Glasgow City Council call this route Govan-Partick Bridge to Pollok Park but it starts to the east of Water Row on Govan Road (see featured image, at top of page). On Orkney St and Broomloan Rd it is fairly direct, via Ibrox and Bellahouston Park, down to Drumbreck Rd (2.7km). The route skirts past residential areas and shopping streets but still serves some major destinations in a car-dominated area (which includes Ibrox Primary School’s Bike Bus). Proposed new junctions at busy Paisley Road West and removing the Edmiston Dr roundabout would be a boost to active travel and road safety (see above – unclear if the ‘Route 1’ name is a football reference!). Online reaction was split and local businesses have been vocal critics of cycle lanes so it could do with a good response in the consultation. This route needs to stick if more are to follow (including Route 2 towards Queen Elizabeth University Hospital).

Consultation events:
Pop‑up event – Saturday 21 February (8:30am-11am) at Elder Park.
Drop‑in event – Tuesday 3 March (3:30pm-7pm) in the McLeod Hall, Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road.
Pop-up event – Wednesday 18th March (4pm-7pm) at Govan Subway Station.

Links: Route 1 article, Route 1 Storymap and Route 1 survey.
Deadline: 30 March 2026.

East City Way – Phase 5

The current East City Way has kerb-protected cycle lanes on London Road from Bridgeton train station, past Celtic Park/Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, as far as Canmore St. Phase 5 is the “proposed upgrade of the existing Spaces for People cycle lanes between Braidfauld Street and Canmore Street into fully segregated infrastructure”. This continues the 1-way lanes and includes a ‘cyclops’ junction (like the one at Clyde Gateway). The area around the flats, car wash and Celtic Supporters Club has issues with pavement parking (not least on match days). Some parking bays are included but not many bollards. East of Braidfauld St, the last section of ‘armadillos’/‘zebras’ will remain for now (to the Shell garage). This is another step towards completing the East City Way but further phases will be needed to close the gap, past the M74 junction, to the protected 2-way lanes at Mount Vernon (see StoryMap). 

Links: East City Way article, ECW StoryMap and ECW survey.
Deadline: 22 February 2026.

People First Zone (PFZ) – Phase 1

GCC have talked about a ‘People First Zone’ since the City Centre Transport Plan consultation in 2022. These plans for an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) are the first look at how it would work. The initial focus is Queen St, which has some of the highest footfall in the city centre. Plans show extended pavement space with planters on Queen St and towards the junction with Ingram St (similar to those at St Vincent Place). The t-junction would get a ‘raised crossing’ (level with pavement) to try to slow down motor traffic. Also, a bus gate from 7am–7pm (to let buses through but not cars). The council have used ETROs before for Spaces for People bike lanes – they usually last 18 months. Project timeline says works are due to start during January to March. The PFZ will be monitored from April between Queen St and Candleriggs in the Merchant City. It will be interesting to see how it develops along with the bus gate proposed for Argyle St in the next item.

Links: PFZ article, PFZ StoryMap, PFZ circulation plan and PFZ survey.
Deadline: 19 April 2026.

Argyle St East (Traffic Regulation Order)

This TRO covers Argyle St east of Glasgow Central Station. It would link to the Argyle St west project (from Hielenman’s Umbrella) and on Trongate to High St and Gallowgate/London Rd. The current protected westbound cycle lane (from the Four Ways crossroads) would be made 2-way and extended past the St Enoch Centre. Then it would run along a new carriageway through the precinct past Argyle St station. The route crosses over to ‘with flow’ protected lanes on Trongate. After crossing to London Rd they go back to 2-way lanes again. These then cross to the other side of the road (at James Morrison Street). A bus gate at Queen St and a new bus (and taxi) lane will go direct to Glassford St/Stockwell St and cut out the current loop around Ingram St.

At Stage 1, GoBike raised concerns about pedestrian space, angle of lanes at bus stops and switching between uni-directional and bi-directional lanes. GCC said the type of lanes in each location are dictated by the shallow depth of utilities and rail tunnels under Argyle St. While we’re a bit sceptical about that, the same line does have shallow tunnels under London Rd. We supported the plans overall as, while far from perfect, they’ll be an important west-east link to stations and shops in a busy city centre area.

Links: GCC Proposed TRO page and email correspondence between GoBike and GCC.
Deadline: 25 February 2026.

Glasgow’s Climate Plan 2026–2030 Consultation

Glasgow’s Climate Plan has an overview of the actions needed to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030. It covers a lot of topics and is broken down into 18 benefits in 11 categories. Under Transport, action 4 says: “Deliver a comprehensive active travel network and reduce the need to use a car for short everyday journeys.” 

The target is still 2030 – the key thing is what “comprehensive” means. The Avenues project is making strides towards a network in the city centre and there have been other success stories, like the South City Way having more bikes than cars last summer. However, progress with the first three areas of the full City Network has been slow. With four years to go, and plans for cycle lanes in Possil scrapped or scaled back in Shawlands and Govan, there’s a question mark about what will be delivered by then. 

Links: Glasgow’s Climate Plan, quick guide and Climate Plan survey.
Deadline: 15 February 2026.

East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy

East Ayrshire has existing active travel routes including NCN73 (Irvine to Kilmarnock) and the Chris Hoy Way – a 20km shared use route connecting Hurlford to Galston. It also has some ambitious plans, including Kilmarnock Green Infinity Loop, amongst 41(!) potential routes. As well as campaigns and policies there is some detailed analysis of issues in different localities. It looks quite promising so we can only hope East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Roads Alliance have the political will to match (and avoid neighbouring South Ayrshire’s issues with NIMBYs).

Links: Ayrshire Roads Alliance page, Draft East Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy & EA ATS short survey (3 pages, multiple choice).
Deadline: 1 March 2026.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy Public Survey

Inverclyde put out a survey for a new Active Travel Strategy but it seems to have stopped taking responses.

Links: Inverclyde Active Travel Strategy article and Inverclyde ATS public survey.
Deadline: may have passed (consultation started 12 January).

North Lanarkshire

Muirhead to Coatbridge: Strategic Network Routes 1 and 7

Early consultation about route options between Muirhead and Coatbridge (Strategic Network Route 1). This is mainly on minor roads past Drumpellier Country Park and Gartcosh. Also, there’s a west-east route across Coatbridge town centre (SNR7) along the A89 and Main Street. In line with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy these are likely to be shared path/widened pavement routes. While they’re not done to the same level as routes in Glasgow or East Kilbride, NLC have at least got on with building some of them – see their Live & Constructed Active Travel Routes webpage (MS Sway). Coatbridge already has the National Cycle Network route 75 west-east on Bank St and the former canal/railway. The new route will pass shops and should be better lit. However, it’s a shame NLC aren’t adding north-south links first (such as to New College Lanarkshire or Monklands Hospital).

Links: Active Travel Live Projects page (SNR1/7), SNR1 and 7 StoryMap and SNR1 and 7 survey (four questions).
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Local Transport Strategy (LTS – Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Future)

North Lanarkshire Council also had a consultation about their Local Transport Strategy which ended before this update was published (apologies). See Shaping North Lanarkshire’s Transport Future for details. A response went in before deadline passed (on 8 February 2026).

Glasgow City

*ADDITION* Chinatown Masterplan

Potential plans for Glasgow Chinatown – the block between New City Rd, Garscube Rd and the M8. Development was to be linked to the Underline route, which has been delayed indefinitely by M8 viaduct works (and is missing from latest Avenues project map). Chinatown plans seem to include high rise towers, like the student flats at the other end of New City Rd just north of the M8.
Events:
Wed 10 December 2025, 3-7pm at Dundasvale Residents Hall, G4 0JS.
Mon 2 February 2026, 3-7pm at Garnethill Community Hall, 21 Rose Street, G3 6RE.
Links: Urban Realm article and Glasgow Times article (with event dates).

Improving Drumchapel Town Centre

Glasgow City Council say: “As part of the plans to improve Drumchapel town centre, we want your views on how best to change the roads layout of Kinfauns Drive from Hecla Ave down to Duntreath Ave, to make it easier to get around the area and make it more attractive.” The visuals show a revised raised platform on Kinfauns Dr with several sets of steps and a central ramp. Further south, the biggest change in the plans is removing the Drumchapel Roundabout. A (two-stage) crossing will be added on Duntreath Ave with an interesting junction at Aldi. There seems to be a wide verge on the western side of Duntreath Ave but sadly no segregated cycling route there or on Kinfauns Dr. There’s definitely cycling in the area as Drumchapel Cycle Hub are based just along from the junction on Drumry Road East.
Links: Drumchapel Town Centre survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025.

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

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

North Lanarkshire

Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South

Another month, another City Deal-funded consultation in North Lanarkshire. This time it’s Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South (RAIS), which includes the underbridge at the West Coast Mainline. It’s part of a wider Pan Lanarkshire dual carriageway between the M74 and M80. Previous plans were for a huge 100m wide roundabout in the middle of Motherwell. NLC say: “The overall footprint of the roundabout has been reduced significantly” – it’s now 80–90m wide. There are still up to five lanes on each arm. It’s also lost a direct crossing at the eastern end of Airbles Rd (now split into three stages at Manse Rd). There are some widened pavements but the route into Ravenscraig is broken up by slip roads (and the dual carriageway severs Orbiston St). Phase 2 is at the western end of Airbles Rd, adding an extra lane heading towards the junction at Strathclyde Park. Again, there are wider pavements. However, the distance between each phase is around 1.25km so there’s no continuous route. The consultation also covers suggested artwork based on the iconic cooling towers of the former Ravenscraig steelworks. A rusty version on a roundabout will not have the same impact but is at least a nod to history.
Links: Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure South webpage, RAIS Storymap and RAIS feedback survey (saying ‘Yes’ to changes gives you a text box with 1,000 character limit).
Deadline: Sunday 14 December 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Draft Transport Strategy Consultation 2025 – 2035

South Lanarkshire Council say: “This survey follows on from the first round of engagement undertaken in 2023 and subsequent work to develop South Lanarkshire’s next Local Transport Strategy (LTS), which will cover the period 2025 to 2035. This consultation will inform the finalisation of the Local Transport Strategy for adoption at the end of this year.”
SLC Local Transport Strategy on cycling: “…it is recognised that further investment is crucial to achieve the level of change required to meet climate targets, tackle poor health and address social exclusion. South Lanarkshire Council will further extend the active travel network during the lifetime of this LTS, including the provision of supporting infrastructure.” There’s very little further detail (and the LTS wasn’t mentioned at the last South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meeting).
Links: Draft Local Transport Strategy document, LTS consultation page and LTS survey.
Deadline: Tuesday 9 December 2025.

Merry Christmas and a Guid Hogmanay – see you in the New Year.

East Dunbartonshire

Westerhill Development Road
(Bishopbriggs Relief Road)

Feedback that this new road has been given planning permission. Back in 2024 (Digest 151), the route was chosen to extend the current Westerhill Road north past Low Moss prison. It would then join Kirkintilloch Rd (A803 – between Cadder/The Stables pub). EDC say it will include a “new active travel route for walking, wheeling and cycling.” In the ‘General arrangement’ layout, this seems to be a shared pavement continuing from the crossing at the northern end of the Wester Way (near the former Aviva office building). Unfortunately, since some parts (like Cole Rd) aren’t being upgraded, the AT route stops near Loretto playing fields. A dashed orange line indicates ‘Masterplan Future Active Travel route’. That may refer to the ‘Primary Active Travel route’ in a previous Planning Guidance document (see Digest 157). There’s no detail on why it’s not being built along with the road. Also, it’s not clear why a redundant section of Crosshill Rd will be used for “mosaic habitat” instead of cycling?
Links: East Dunbartonshire Council WDR article and Planning application TP/ED/25/0151.

Glasgow City

North Laurieston masterplan – Stage 2

A further consultation following the Stage 1 event (June update). The project website has summaries and survey results to feed into Stage 2. ‘Connected cycle routes’ was ranked third in their Movement strategy survey. The masterplan area on the south bank of the Clyde includes Carlton Place, South Portland St (Avenues project) and the South City Way on Gorbals St (past the Sheriff Court and Central Mosque).
Event: Wednesday 12 November, 2pm–8pm at the former Savings Bank, 67 Bridge St, Glasgow G5 9JB (presentation at 6.30pm).
Links: North Laurieston microsite (sideways scrolling).

Improving Drumchapel Town Centre

Glasgow City Council say: “As part of the plans to improve Drumchapel town centre, we want your views on how best to change the roads layout of Kinfauns Drive from Hecla Ave down to Duntreath Ave, to make it easier to get around the area and make it more attractive.” The visuals show the curving raised platform has gone from the northern corner of Kinfauns Dr. Further south, the biggest change in the plans is removing the Drumchapel Roundabout. A (two-stage) crossing will be added on Duntreath Ave with an interesting junction at Aldi. There seems to be a wide verge on the western side of Duntreath Ave but sadly no segregated cycling route there or on Kinfauns Dr. There’s definitely cycling in the area as Drumchapel Cycle Hub are based just along from the junction on Drumry Road East.
Links: Drumchapel Town Centre survey.
Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025.

Thornwood Roundabout and NCN7 Project

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

North Lanarkshire

Bellshill to Mossend Active Travel
(Eurocentral Active Travel links project)

North Lanarkshire Council say: “The project is funded by NLC through the Glasgow City Region Deal which provides for infrastructure projects that connect people with employment opportunities. Three of the five routes are already at the detailed design stage, while the remaining two are at the concept design stage.” The latter runs through Bellshill town centre. The preferred route uses mostly back streets (John St and an awkward junction onto Dean St). Alternatives in the consultation include a route on Main St (which has a high school and very wide pavements in places). As it goes east, the route uses main roads through Mossend and Holytown towards EuroCentral (A755 corridor). North Lanarkshire favour widened pavements over on-road protected lanes so it’s likely this route will follow the pattern set in Motherwell (Muir St), Wishaw (Alexander St) and elsewhere.
Links: Eurocentral Active Travel Links StoryMap, Bellshill–Eurocentral survey
Deadline: 30 November 2025.

South Lanarkshire

Draft Transport Strategy Consultation 2025 – 2035

South Lanarkshire Council say: “This survey follows on from the first round of engagement undertaken in 2023 and subsequent work to develop South Lanarkshire’s next Local Transport Strategy (LTS), which will cover the period 2025 to 2035. This consultation will inform the finalisation of the Local Transport Strategy for adoption at the end of this year.”
SLC Local Transport Strategy on cycling: “…it is recognised that further investment is crucial to achieve the level of change required to meet climate targets, tackle poor health and address social exclusion. South Lanarkshire Council will further extend the active travel network during the lifetime of this LTS, including the provision of supporting infrastructure.” There’s very little further detail (similar to the recent South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meeting, which failed to mention this consultation!).
Links: Draft Local Transport Strategy document, LTS consultation page and LTS survey.
Deadline: 9 December 2025.

SPT

Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan

Radical redevelopment proposals for the bus station. The current building and neighbouring multi-storey car park would be demolished. Only the Gallery Apartments/Sainsbury’s building would be kept. The rest of the block would be used for the new bus station and housing/student flats. The curved layout seems to have fewer stances than the current bus station. The bridges from Cowcaddens Rd may deal with the level difference but could raise issues of anti-social behaviour (on the buses below). On three sides will be Avenues cycle lanes (Cowcaddens St/N Hanover St/W Nile St). No obvious details about bike parking in plans.
Links: Buchanan Bus Station Masterplan webpage and BBS online survey.
Deadline: “before 23 November”.

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.

Seven of us cycled east from the SEC along the Clyde today before turning north onto London Road and then towards Baillieston and Bargeddie.

After a break for lunch in Drumpellier Park, we started our return journey but stopped in Cranhill to admire the model lighthouses and winged figures around the water tower.

Yes, we had some rain early on but we soon dried out and could sit outside at the Park Cafe to eat our lunch.

Next month’s ride will be on Sunday 05 October, when we go to Goldenhill Park!

We will then go on-road through Mount Vernon and Broomhouse to Bargeddie and the Monkland Canal, then we will explore the park. After a café lunch, return will be through Easterhouse and Cranhill to Alexandra Park, to finish at George Square.

25 miles, mostly on paths and quieter roads, but some bits on main roads, and some unpaved paths at Drumpellier.

We will meet, as usual, on the north bank of the Clyde, at the SEC, just to the east of Bell’s Bridge at 10:00.

Lunch will be available to buy in the cafe at Drumpellier Park, or bring your own – there are benches and tables just outside the cafe.

For more information on GoBike rides, see here

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.

to Kirkintilloch, and then take the Strathkelvin Railway Path into North Lanarkshire.

Continuing on some country lanes, we will arrive at Palacerigg Country Park around lunchtime.

After lunch at the café, we will return to Glasgow via Cumbernauld, including the Snake Bridge, and Kirkintilloch.
45 miles, with the occasional steeper climb, and very little on main roads. Various sections of path on this route are not asphalted.

We meet at 10am the north end of Bell’s Bridge SEC Congress Road, Glasgow.

For more information on GoBike rides, see here