This Digest continues to promote the Commonplace maps, plus we have an interesting consultation on the Kingston Bridge and a copy of the GoBike submission for Pollok Park, where private cars are back parking irresponsibly.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Historic Environment Scotland, Kingston Bridge proposed to be a Listed Structure, closes 17 July
2. Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required
3. East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views
4. Glasgow City Council, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nil to report

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Pollok Park Planning Application, GoBike submission
2. Glasgow, Queen Street Railway Station, new bike stands
3. Glasgow, London Road, East City Way, painted lines appearing
4. Glasgow, George Square, Implementation of Experimental Traffic Regulation Order
5. Glasgow, Stockingfield Road Canal Junction, bridge construction commencing any time now

Section 1: Current Consultation, in date order for responses

Omitted from this Digest are 2 consultation from the Scottish Parliament on the effects of Covid-19, the Impact on Equalities & Human Rights and on Scotland’s businesses, workers and the economy. Both are open long-term and, if you have not responded and you wish to, please see Digest 63, items 1.6 and 1.7

1.1 **NEW** Historic Environment Scotland, Kingston Bridge proposed to be a Listed Structure, closes 17 July

A GoBike member, alerted us to the proposal to list this massive bridge carrying cars, buses, vans, lorries over the River Clyde in Glasgow. Details are on the Historic Environment Scotland website here.
There is no doubt that there are far too many motor vehicles and that the dangers they pose are under-rated in society. If you are concerned about the proposed listing of the bridge do please have a look at the HES website and put your views in.

1.2 Glasgow City Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, YOUR views are required

This search for your views was in our last 2 Digests and here’s the link for your views. Do please get them in.

1.3 East Renfrewshire Council, Spaces for People Commonplace Map, looking for YOUR views

We informed you of the East Renfrewshire Commonplace map in Digest 63, Item 1.4 and in Digest 62. Here’s the link to the map. If you live, work or cycle in East Renfrewshire please do post your concerns, if any, on the map.

1.4 Glasgow City Council, help shape the future of (Y)our City Centre Districts

This third Commonplace map arrived just in time for our last Digest, but here’s the link again, so please upload your comments.

This update arrived on 30 June:

And this message arrived on 04 July:

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing on the horizon this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Pollok Park Planning Application, GoBike submission

In Digest 63, Item 1.2 we listed some items of concern/interest in the proposals and, with thanks to opinions and some vigorous discussion from several GoBike members, this letter of qualified objection to the Planning Application was submitted on 30 June.

We are delighted that private motor cars are to be prevented, by gates, from driving through the park, as they can at present. We also very much support the emphasis on public transport and active travel. However, we are not delighted with all the proposals.

GoBike objects to the proposal to allow private cars into the existing main car park, ie the one nearest the Burrell Collection, even though a new car park is to be constructed at the Haggs Road gate. To aid traffic to the existing car park, it is proposed to dual the access road from Haggs Road, which is pictured here, above and below, by constructing another carriageway to the left of the trees. We have objected to this proposed construction and consider that, if the car park at the Burrell is restricted to buses, coaches, blue badge holders and deliveries, this existing road, perhaps with passing places for large vehicles, will suffice.

We understand that now cars are allowed back in the park, the uncontrolled parking has resumed. One of our concerns with the application was the lack of control of motor vehicles.

3.2 Glasgow, Queen Street Railway Station, new bike stands

Back in December 2014, GoBike responded to the consultation on the redevelopment of Queen Street Station, see this short blog from the time. We were keen to see more cycle facilities and, would you believe it – the photo above shows cycle racks where it was envisaged to have none!

3.3 Glasgow, London Road, East City Way, painted lines appearing

In October last year there was public consultation on the proposals, see Digest 19, Item 1.1 , for a bi-directional cycle lane along London Road to Mount Vernon and beyond for a distance of 7km. GoBike’s preference would be for a uni-directional lane on each side and that is now what is being painted on the carriageway. The painted lines currently (as of Saturday 04 July) go from Fielden Street in the west to Helenvale Street in the east.

We do not know whether the plans are for some form of segregation; we hope so and as the following 2 photos show, irresponsible car parking is incompatible with comfortable cycling.
Currently the lanes stop short of each traffic light junction with cycle traffic exiting the cycle lane into a left-turning lane. This is obviously unsatisfactory for people who are cycling straight on but we have not been party to any of the plans so will have to wait and see what transpires.
Our third concern is what will happen at the junction with the bi-directional lane just to the east of Bridgeton Cross – again, it’s wait and see.

Segregation will help prevent parking but we do hope something is currently proposed to manage it.

3.4 Glasgow, George Square, Implementation of Experimental Traffic Regulation Order

Back in March this year GoBike responded positively to an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order issued by Glasgow City Council to very much reduce motor traffic in George Square. Our response was featured in Digest 57, issued 31 March.

Accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, work has now been carried out in George Square to implement the Order.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order lasts for 18 months during which time its effects may be assessed and changes introduced with a permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

3.5 Glasgow, Stockingfield Road Canal Junction, bridge construction commencing anytime now

Almost 2 years ago, in Digest 17, Item 1.6, published 17 September 2018, we reported on public consultation events around the proposed construction of a bridge over the canal junction at Stockingfield.

GoBike member, Alasdair, has now informed us that there will be changes to the route for anyone cycling along the canal at Stockingfield, because work on the Stockingfield Bridge is to start this week. The towpath will be closed from the junction to Ruchill Church for some time. The steps down to Lochburn Road will remain open. We do not currently have any details of timescale.

Diversions are currently under active discussion but no specific route has yet been agreed, so if you are cycling, or walking, on the towpath in the area, do watch out for work starting. We will hopefully be able to report on the diversionary route in our next Digest in 2 weeks time.

The works will remove the detour via this canal underbridge – a welcome improvement.

_________________________________________________

Quite a short digest for you this time, perhaps because we are into the holiday season – with nowhere to go but a slightly longer cycle ride?

Anna told us that the City Council are working on a Local Transport Strategy, a Neighbourhood Strategy and preparing a bid for part of the £10m Covid 19 fund currently available from the Scottish Government

They are focusing on 3 things:

• City Centre, creating social distancing space for businesses
• Arterial route cycle infrastructure, to allow people to cycle into the city
• Neighbourhoods work, including space on high streets for businesses.

The City Council will also be looking to extend the number of car-free zones around schools from the current 6.
Anna talked about filtered permeability for cycling, demand management and looking to the less affluent north and east of the city for improving cycle provision.

GoBike asked her 2 questions about the new cycle lane on Clyde Street and Broomielaw and she answered:
“Yes, the new cycle lane is just westbound – it could be done quickly and shows the Council’s determination to act. People travelling east may either use the road or stick to the riverside shared use path.
Yes, the cones will stay, “We will keep the cones there for as long as they are needed to keep people safe. ”

So that’s good news, a wee bit disappointing about there being no new cycle lane for eastbound cycle traffic on the Broomielaw and Clyde Street, but it does give us more space and cycling on the Fastlink bus lanes has been formalised.

GoBike has been calling for cycle lanes on arterial routes into the city and for cycling permeability in areas of one-way streets for a long time, with contraflow cycling and cycle filters, so delighted with that news.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Scottish Government, Climate Change Plan, Climate change and you, now CLOSED.
2. North Lanarkshire, Proposed New Road, Airdrie, closes Thursday 30 April

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Planning for Place – Webinar – 30th April 2020 – 4pm – Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19 (Community Council event)
2. Pedal on Parliament 2020, Space For Distancing
3. Glasgow, Louisa Jordan Hospital at the SEC: how do we get there safely?
4. What about other Shared Footways, eg James Street in Bridgeton?
5. A Segregated Cycle Route, London Road in Bridgeton, one of several in and around Glasgow and the west of Scotland, plus a mention of the Bearsway

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. The Scottish Parliament: Climate Change & You Update
2. Glasgow, Ibrox Stadium, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone
3. Glasgow, Celtic Park and Emirates Arena, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone
4. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.56
5. Glasgow, George Square Experimental Order
6. From University Avenue Glasgow to Princes Street Edinburgh

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

1.1 Scottish Government, Climate Change Plan, Climate change and you, now CLOSED.

We published information on this consultation in Digest 58 in good faith following information from our friends in Transform Scotland. Soon after publication, we got this email from them:

“I’m afraid to say that the Parliament’s ECCLR has now closed the consultation referred to in the article. (The 29 April date that we had used on our website was a placeholder, as the Committee had failed to advertise a closing date when they launched the consultation.)”

Poor performance there, then, from our government, but hope some of you managed to have a look. There is some feedback for those of us who did submit our views, see Item 3.1 below.

Item 1.2 North Lanarkshire, Proposed New Road, Airdrie, closes Thursday 30 April

In Digest 57, Item 1.3 we published details of this online consultation and in Digest 58, Item 1.2 we included GoBike’s letter of response, repeated here.

Here’s an email we received from North Lanarkshire Council on 23 April, encouraging feedback on the Link Road Options:

“We’re asking for your feedback on our plans for the East Airdrie Link Road, which is being developed as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

If you haven’t already given us your feedback, please take a few minutes to do so before 30 April. 

We will then consider all the comments received as we develop the plans for the link road. There will be another opportunity to give further feedback at the next stage of the project later this year.

Anyone who previously experienced difficulties returning the feedback form to the email address provided, can now send it to nlccitydeal@northlan.gov.uk.

Thank you.”

If you haven’t done so already, do please write in, by THURSDAY THIS WEEK to oppose the construction of this new road. In these times of limited travel, significant improvements in air quality and remarkable levels of cycling uptake, it is ridiculous that people working in local authorities and for our “city region” should be planning for more and more private road transport.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Planning for Place – Webinar – 30th April 2020 – 4pm – Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19 (Community Council event)

Not before time, you might say, but Glasgow City Council is publicising a webinar for Community Councils and community groups, “Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19”. There are quite a few GoBike members who are also members of their Community Council so we hope you will all respond to the email that was forwarded by Glasgow City Council yesterday, 27 April. GoBike will be looking in too.

Here’s the text:

“From: Scottish Community Councils
Sent: 24 April 2020 11:58
Subject: Planning for Place – Webinar – 30th April 2020 – 4pm – Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19 

Good morning everyone, 

Our colleagues at the Planning for Place programme have asked us to make you aware of an upcoming webinar on Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19.  Facilitated by Irene Beautyman, Place Lead at the Improvement Service, the webinar will be of particular value to council officers, elected members, community groups and all interested in pursuing the role of place as an enabler of healthier lives.  The online event is open to all those with an interest in facilitating active travel during the Covid-19 lockdown and in enabling safer conditions for walking and cycling.  Here is the link to sign up to the webinar (link removed by GoBike). I’d be grateful if you would consider sharing this information with interested colleagues and community councils in your area. 

Regards, “

If you do take part, please send any thoughts to the rest of us at GoBike!

****************************

Apart from that, GoBike is not aware of any specific consultations coming over the horizon, except for the Scottish Government information in Item 3.1, but we do hope that you are all able to get out on your bike to check current cycle lane provision, to note where it is sub-standard and where there is no provision at all. We need to make sure that, in future, we get good quality provision for all of us who are now cycling and all those people who will cycle if cycle lanes are there for them.

Let’s look at the facilities we currently have and the options open to us:

2.2 Pedal on Parliament 2020, Space For Distancing

We hope that by now you are all aware of our sister organisation, Pedal on Parliament, and its 2020 campaign inspired by the current social distancing guidelines. They have written up a couple of round ups about the action that happened over the weekend here and here and we hope that the encouragement the campaign has provided to local councils will help get some space for distancing road reallocation in place for people out walking and cycling.

Do have a look at the website and support, where and how you can, the moves to increase the space available for active travel while are streets are so empty during lockdown. We need to have meaningful dialogue, followed by action, to keep us safe on our journeys.

2.3 Glasgow, Louisa Jordan Hospital at the SEC: how do we get there safely?

National Cycle Route 75 will be well known to many of you; it’s narrow from the Clyde Arc Bridge, past the Hilton Garden Inn on the shared footway and along by the river past the Crowne Plaza Hotel and on to the shared footway shown above that runs next to the heliport. Crucially, though, on the other side of the green-netted fence, is a 2-lane road, empty at the time GoBike member, Brenda, took this photograph.

So why is such a narrow space provided for active travel, for people walking and cycling for their “daily permitted exercise”, for people going to their work at the Louisa Jordan Hospital, now the main function of the Scottish Exhibition Centre, and for people going to their work at other locations?

Let’s look at Cycling by Design, the Scottish Government’s design handbook, which Glasgow City Council have confirmed they use. In Table 6.2, “Off-carriageway facility widths”, page 63, the Desirable Minimum for shared pedestrian and cycle use is 3.0m. How does this shared footway compare? While the distance fence to fence is over 3m, the distance between the lampposts and the green fence is only 2.6m. That is, even without social distancing requirements, this shared footway is SUB-STANDARD. So why wasn’t one lane of the adjacent road used for cycling with the footway reserved for walking? That, as they say, is a “good question”.

How else can active travellers reach, or bypass, the Louisa Jordan Hospital? The tube bridge from Exhibition Centre railway station is closed, so let’s look at the surrounding roads. The Expressway is an option, but not for the faint-hearted, so what about Finnieston Street?

Some GoBike members might remember that when the Finnieston Street gyratory system was brought in some years ago we were very concerned about the perils of negotiating the roundabout on a bike. The City Council’s proposed solution was to suggest that the footway on the right hand side of the photo be made available for cycling, as well as walking in both directions! Look at the width. It was SUB-STANDARD then and if is absolutely SUB-STANDARD if we are all to keep a 2m distance from other people (except people with whom we cohabit).

Currently, for people who are confident in traffic, and provided any motor vehicles in the vicinity are being driven according to all the rules, Finnieston Street is a possibility, but for all the people who may currently be seen learning to ride on one of the hired Next Bikes??

2.4 What about other Shared Footways, eg James Street in Bridgeton?

Last week your Digest editor cycled out to Bridgeton with her cohabiting husband, to look at local cycle lanes, starting with the shared footway on James Street.

So how does this facility meet the standard set out in Cycling by Design, table 6.2? The pedestrian only space is 2m so does it meet the Desirable Minimum of 2m? Well, it would, but only if the lampposts, which clearly reduce the available width for walking were removed! Thus it is SUB-STANDARD.

Let’s look at the cycle space, which again, is 2m. Looking at Table 6.2, the Desirable Minimum for “Two way cycles only” is 3m, so let’s look at the Absolute Minimum (2 minima – how does that work?) and 2m is acceptable – but hold on – the 2m must be “free from line markings” and the white line is within the cycling lane. The verdict must again be SUB-STANDARD.

Why was this facility provided in this way? To allow the all-day parking on the right hand side of the photo and the limited parking adjacent to the cycle lane? Who knows?

Let’s bring in social distancing and ask whether a clearance from other people of 2m be maintained? Only with great difficulty. We don’t know who the other people in the photo are but it’s a fair guess that they use this route regularly.

Is 2m clearance from other people sufficient to protect people in these times of Coronavirus? We are all told to keep this distance but this Belgian study might get you thinking, but hopefully not worrying too much. Just stay as clear from others as you can, give everyone a good, wide berth.

2.5 A Segregated Cycle Route, London Road in Bridgeton, one of several in and around Glasgow and the west of Scotland, and a mention of the Bearsway

George and I then cycled on, via Bridgeton Cross, to the segregated cycle lane on London Road, which was constructed in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, even though it reduces to a shared footway well before the Emirates Stadium. GoBike has been reliably informed that if the M74 had been open at the time, removing much of the motor traffic from London Road, 2 one-way cycle lanes would have been constructed instead of this two-way facility.

So what’s the problem? The route is 3m kerb to kerb and that meets the Desirable Minimum Width given in Table 5.4, page 54 of Cycling by Design and if 2 people cycling opposite directions, as above, kept to their respective kerbs, it would just, just, be possible to get 2m clearance between them.

However, this check was prompted by GoBike member and Glasgow resident, Derek, who sent us this email recently:

“Last Sunday, coming in through Milngavie I went onto the cycle lane then quickly left when I saw the mass of family groups approaching as there was no way we could pass at 1m let alone 2. On the road, I was then hooted at by motorists yelling ‘get on the cycle lane’.“

So what can we do? Just about all our cycle facilities are constructed to the design minima. Obviously the design standards and the construction to date were all done before the terms “coronavirus” and “social distancing” entered our vocabulary, but with all the reports of increased numbers of people cycling, it’s of paramount importance that we get the space we need to cater for healthy active travel. We must refuse any designs done to the old minimum standards in any future consultations.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 The Scottish Parliament: Climate Change & You Update

Here’s an email received from the Scottish Parliament after the Digest Editor submitted a personal response to the short-lived consultation on Climate Change and You, referred to in Item 1.1 above. Note that the survey mentioned about halfway down, which closes on 12 May, only applies to people who submitted a response prior to the closure. It’s simply asking respondents’ views of the survey method.
However, there will be further consultation, see the paragraph we have put in bold:

“Hello,

Thank you for sharing your views on Climate Change and Behaviour Change with the Scottish Parliament via our online discussion site called Your Priorities.

We were delighted to receive your input on the behaviours we need to change now to help work towards a Net-Zero Scotland and your suggestions on what the Scottish Government should do to achieve this.   

A total of 393 participants took part and contributed 139 ideas, over 500 comments and nearly 9,000 ratings to help prioritise the ideas for behaviour change in the areas of travel, heating our buildings, generating electricity, food, and waste.

The Scottish Parliament is committed to involving people in its work and we would really appreciate if you could take 2 minutes to complete a short anonymous evaluation survey about your experience using our online engagement tool, Your Priorities.

You can complete this short survey via the following link: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ceu/a6789f89

Your feedback will help us improve how we engage with the public in the future. The survey will close on Tuesday 12^th May 2020.

In light of the COVID-19 emergency, the Scottish Government recently wrote to the Scottish Parliament to advise that the intended publication date for the Climate Change Plan update (30 April 2020) was no longer a practical option for a number of reasons, including the need to focus resources on the immediate response to the emergency.

The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee is liaising with the Scottish Government and will be considering how best to take forward scrutiny of the Climate Change Plan update. Your views are being collated and analysed and your engagement will help Scottish Parliamentary Committees scrutinise the updated Climate Change Plan. The Committees will provide an update on their scrutiny plans once further information on Scottish Government plans is available.

We will be in touch when the updated plan is published and provide information about how you can get further involved to support the work of the Scottish Parliament holding the government to account on this vital issue.

For more information on some of our Climate Change work please visit: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/102792.aspx

Thank you again for your participation and we look forward to receiving your feedback.“

As soon as we hear, we will let you know.

3.2 Glasgow, Ibrox Stadium, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone

As we have previously reported proposals were issued in 2018 to limit parking around Ibrox. These proposals have been fiercely (and expensively) opposed by the Club and its supporters. Here’s the latest email we received on 17 April, which refers to the “pre-hearing meeting held on 11 March and here’s the attachment, the note of the Pre-Hearing Meeting, that came with it.

They are both quite long documents so only perhaps of limited interest. Let’s hope that the City Council does take action soon to make our streets available for cycling.

3.3 Glasgow, Celtic Park and Emirates Arena, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone

On the very same day, 17 April, we received almost identical documents relating to event day parking in the east of the city. Again, the proposals to control parking are opposed by the vested interests of football. Here’s the email and the note of the Pre-Hearing Meeting held on 10 March for your edification – if you are interested.

One disappointing thing to note is that for Celtic Park and the Emirates Arena there is no mention of the local City Councillors or the local Community Council having any involvement. Community Councils, as we have seen elsewhere in the city, can be a powerful force, as also can City Councillors. Two Councillors and a Community Council have taken an interest in events at Ibrox.

3.4 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.56

Here’s the latest newsletter, April 2020, which we received on 15 April. There’s a short update on the Proposed Local Development Plan 2 on page 2.

3.5 Glasgow, George Square Experimental Order

Back in Digest 56, dated 17 March, Item 1.4, we gave the details for the proposed reduction of motor traffic in George Square in Glasgow and on 24 March we submitted this response. While we support the proposals we did suggest that the Square, or the majority of it, remain traffic-free later than the 7pm cutoff proposed. This email, received on 14 April, but just missing the deadline for Digest 58, denies this improvement (which we had also suggested at the Stage One consultation).

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (GEORGE SQUARE), EXPERIMENTAL ORDER 202_

Thank you for your correspondence dated 24^th March to the above Order on behalf of Go Bike.

As explained in my previous email the operational time of the bus priority measures is to provide consistency with the bus gates recently implemented in the city for the benefit and clarity of all users.

Your support will be recorded and reported in the official report to inform the Order. I will advise you of the outcome when the Order is completed but this process may be longer than expected due to the Coronavirus impact.“

Any of you currently visiting George Square will be able to enjoy the relative calm; let’s hope the changes are implemented soon, before the motor traffic returns to its previous level.

3.6 From University Avenue Glasgow to Princes Street Edinburgh

Last seen in February 2019 protecting the painted cycle lane on University Avenue, Autumn was photographed recently by her dad near their Edinburgh city centre home, cycling on the footway on Princes Street:

She’s still got the stabilisers but it’s hard to believe it’s a city centre: no taxis, no trams, no busses in sight. But now look what’s happened to University Avenue; GoBike member, Euan, recently submitted this photo:

A four-year old could cycle on the footway, so Autumn will be fine, with or without the stabilisers, but what about all the students, the shoppers, the workers and the visitors to the area? Where are they going to cycle on what was one of the first cycle routes in Glasgow, the Colleges Cycle Route, from the city centre out through the west end to the residential areas of Hyndland, Broomhill and Jordanhill?

It’s hard, but we will need to redouble our efforts in future campaigns and consultations to get active travel recognised. Otherwise it will be back to normal with cars everywhere and the air full of diesel and petrol fumes.

Do please support the Pedal on Parliament campaign to get short-term improvements. There are reports everywhere of increased numbers of people cycling and they need their space. Let’s hope there’s a positive outcome from the Community Councils event on Thursday (see Item 2.1)

More news in 2 weeks.

The feature photograph for this Digest and the similar photo in Section 2 were both taken at 06:55 on Friday 27 March on a daily exercise ride. You will perhaps recognise the location, on Paisley Road West, heading west away from the Kingston Bridge, but not the level of traffic. On a normal Friday morning, even at such an early hour, there would be far more than one bus and a couple of bikes on this major arterial route into Glasgow – a route deemed too busy to have segregated cycle lanes!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, George Square, Motor Traffic Restrictions, Experimental TRO, closes 03 April
2. Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals) Parking Controls, closes 13 April
3. North Lanarkshire **NEW** Proposed New Road, Airdrie, online consultation, closes 30 April

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing that we are aware of, but do look where cycle lanes should exist!

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, North Kelvin and North Woodside, Traffic Management and Parking Controls, GoBike submission
2. Glasgow, South Car Club Order 2020, approved
3. East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Materials & Finish Query, GoBike response
4. Glasgow, Blythswood District Regeneration Framework, GoBike submission
5. Glasgow, Craighall Road and Port Dundas, new cycle lane under construction

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, George Square, Motor Traffic Restrictions, Experimental TRO, closes 03 April

Not as many people out on the grass today, but the consultation to cut motor traffic and hence pollution is open until Friday, so please do put a short response in – a quick note just saying that you support the GoBike response will do.

We featured this consultation first in Digest 56, Item 1.4 and here’s the letter we submitted in general support of the proposals on 24 March. The letter refers to Stage One consultation, to which we responded with this letter on 28 February. This is quite definitely a move in the right direction and we hope that everyone who supports active travel and a pleasanter city will support it.

1.2 Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals) Parking Controls, closes 13 April

We published the details of this initial consultation in Digest 56, Item 1.5 and we encourage everyone who lives, works, shops or otherwise visits this area to look at the proposals online. Unfortunately, because of Covid 19 restrictions, the Gorbals Library, shown on the left on the photo above, is now closed, but all the documents are available online and in Digest 56.

It’s important that we respond positively to this consultation at this very early stage. Responses now will influence the forthcoming Traffic Regulation Order so views on restricting parking and allowing contraflow cycling are critical. GoBike is delighted that contraflow cycling is included, in the east of the area, and if there is anyone out there who has any qualms on cycling to face oncoming traffic do please read our recent blog on the topic.

1.3 North Lanarkshire **NEW** Proposed New Road, Airdrie, online consultation, closes 30 April

In Digest 56, Item 2.1, two weeks ago, we informed you of drop-in consultation events to explain the reason and the options for this proposed new road. At that time there was no mention of online information and feedback option, but further to the cancellation of the consultation events, we received this news on 27 March

“East Airdrie Link Road project

Unfortunately we had to cancel the East Airdrie Link Road public events scheduled earlier this month due to the Covid-19 crisis.

You can still find out about the East Airdrie Link Road options on our web site, and your opportunity to give us your feedback using an online form has been extended to 30 April 2020.

You will also have a further opportunity to see our developing plans and give us your feedback later this year.“

If you live, work or cycle in North Lanarkshire do please have a look at the proposals and respond.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

We have no news of any consultations coming over the horizon, apart from the promise of more details from North Lanarkshire, see Item 1.3 above, but we are hearing lots of reports that the horizon may now be seen quite clearly given the reduction in pollution from motor vehicles.

So do please use what chances you have to look at what is out there, or what isn’t out there, in the way of cycling provision so that when we are over this pandemic we can all respond critically to consultations and campaign vigorously to get our space to travel. This photo shows that the normally busy Paisley Road West in Glasgow has plenty of room for cycle lanes – if motor traffic is controlled.

Do note, though, that North Lanarkshire Council have sent out details of changes to council services, including this note:

“Country Parks 

Vehicle access and car parking is closed at Palacerigg, Drumpellier and Strathclyde Country parks.”

However, one has to wonder how effective that is, given this photo that appeared over the weekend and was featured in the Herald on 30 March.

So while there is less motor traffic generally and main roads are a pleasure to cycle on do take care near parked and parking vehicles and watch out for the rogue speed merchant testing out how far down the accelerator pedal will go.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, North Kelvin and North Woodside, Traffic Management and Parking Controls, GoBike submission

We first featured this consultation as Item 1.5 in Digest 55 and we have now submitted this response on 24 March. This proposal is, overall, a big improvement for the area but we are disappointed that there is not more contraflow cycling, that reverse-out angled , or perpendicular to the kerb, motor parking is allowed and that more bike parking is not included. We made the same points in our response at Stage One and we will keep making these points for future consultations. Active travel must be recognised.

3.2 Glasgow, South Car Club Order 2020, approved

On 10 February GoBike submitted this detailed response to proposals for Car Club parking and charging points on the South Side of the city and we reported that in Digest 54, Item 3.8. Also in that Digest we reported on prompt feedback from the City Council supporting their stance and finally, on 17 March we received this email:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir\Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SOUTH SIDE CAR CLUB) ORDER 2020

I am writing to notify you that the above named Traffic Regulation Order was made on 16^th March 2020 to introduce car club and electric parking on Albert Avenue, Allison Street, Kenmure Street, Paisley Road West and Torrisdale Street.

An advert will be placed in the Evening Times on Wednesday 18^th March 2020 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made. The advert advises that any person who wishes to question the validity of the Order or of any provision contained in it on the grounds that it is not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, or on the grounds that any requirement of the Act, or of any instrument made under it, has not been complied with in relation to the Order may, within six weeks from 16^th March 2020, apply to the Court of Sessions for this purpose.

All those who objected to or supported the proposals will now be written to and advised of the decision.

Please find attached a copy of the plans for your information.

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Yours faithfully“

The final plans are here: Allison Street, Paisley Road West, Torrisdale, Kenmure and Albert Drive.

So there we have it: on-street charging points, even where cycle lanes are, in our view, required.

East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Materials & Finish Query, GoBike response

Back in Digest 41, Item 3.3 there was a report back from an information session held on 13 August 2019 about the proposed upgrade and realignment of Aurs Road. GoBike member, Bob, was one of the people who attended.

On 19 March we received this email from the consultant working for East Renfrewshire Council:

“Dear Stakeholder,

You may recall that in August 2019, Stantec (formerly Peter Brett Associates) undertook a consultation event with you and/ or a representative, in respect of the Aurs Road Upgrade Realignment Project on behalf of East Renfrewshire Council.

The project has progressed somewhat over the past few months and we are keen to obtain your views on the materials being proposed for the cycle path, before the design work progresses any further.

• The cycle path element of the route will be surfaced in black ashphalt with red chips, in keeping with current preferences for equivalent schemes being delivered elsewhere. An indication of this is provided below (right);
• The boardwalk element of the route will be surfaced in Kellen paving, akin to that shown in the image on the left below, albeit colour combinations and orientation/ pattern are being considered in further detail;  and
• Please note that at entry and exit points to the areas of the route where the cycle and walk route run parallel to each other, longitudinal tactiles will be provided for cyclists and transverse tactiles will be provided for walkers, to demarque entry/ exit into areas where there is no physical or at grade separation of the routes.

We would welcome your thoughts on the proposed materials for the cycle path and if you have any further thoughts or considerations. We are unable to share more detailed plans at the present time, but trust the below is ample to inform a view. If you need to discuss any aspect of the proposed materials, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below: we’d be more than happy to discuss further.”

GoBike replied on 24 March with this letter. There is reference in the letter to a presentation that Bob gave to the GoBike AGM last November. This was primarily about the South City Way but included the surfacing to be used. Many of you attended the AGM but in case you didn’t or need a refresher, here’s a copy of the presentation.

It’s good to be asked our views on such matters! Would that all councils did the same.

3.4 Glasgow, Blythswood District Regeneration Framework, GoBike submission

Apologies, this one escaped our notice and hasn’t been featured in our Digests before now, but our expert on long documents, Brenda, has been working on a response for some time. Here it is, sent in on 26 March, the day before consultation closed. Do please read it; she makes great play of how quiet and pleasant our streets currently are. We need every attempt to be made to reclaim our streets from the ubiquitous motor vehicle.

We haven’t given you a nudge to look at the consultation document and it has now disappeared from the City Council’s website, so here it is, should you care to take a look. It’s split into 5, so that we could get it all on here, with lots of photographs for you to view the area:

Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4 and Section 5.

3.5 Glasgow, Craighall Road and Port Dundas, new cycle lane under construction

Round about 1 year ago and reported in Digest 32, Item 1.1 was news of parking changes at Speirs Wharf to allow construction of a new cycle lane. Here’s the text of the letter of response we sent in on 15 April 2019:

“Thank you for your email of 22 March and the opportunity to comment on the proposals for parking restrictions at Speirs Wharf to allow improvements for people walking and cycling.

GoBike supports this proposal.

We would also be very keen to see the plans for the cycle lane that is proposed for this location and hope that may be arranged.“

Did we get to see the plans? No, we didn’t, but committee member, Brenda, cycled up to Speirs Wharf the other day and chanced upon the construction shown on the photos above and below:

The cycle lanes, between the footway and the roadway, will run along past the new water sports centre at Port Dundas.

This demonstrates how limited consultation is. GoBike and community representatives were involved in discussions for the extension of the South City Way through Battlefield and whether there should be two 1-way cycle lanes or one 2-way lane. Yet in this, the new route featured in the GoBike ride of 02 February, on Keppochhill Road, see Digest 53, Item 3.3, the South West City Way extension along St Andrew’s Drive and others, there is no discussion and one 2-way route is constructed.

Yes, we are pleased to see new cycle lanes, but where is the overall plan? How does this cycle route on North Canal Bank Street link to any other cycle infrastructure? At the east end there is the massive enclosure of whatever is being done in Sighthill and at the west end is the (normally) busy, and narrow Craighall Road, the arterial route from Milngavie via Balmore Road, down to the M8, Cowcaddens and Townhead. If you find the overall plan for the city, do tell us!

_________________________________________________

We have no idea what will arrive over the next 2 weeks, but we will keep you updated with whatever we get.
Do stay safe and do keep healthy. Try and get out on your bike if you can.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** GoBike, Glasgow Eco Trust and On Bikes, Walking & Cycling in Glasgow: Give us your views, open
2. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, commonplace map for comments, closes 09 March
3. East Dunbartonshire, Dalkeith Avenue, Wellington Road and Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, No Waiting and No Loading at any time, closes 16 March
4. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Townhead, Kirkintilloch, No Waiting at any time restrictions, closes 16 March
5. **NEW** Glasgow, North Kelvin and North Woodside, Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 27 March
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Low Emission Zone Phase 2, online consultation, closes 29 March
7. Scottish Government — Fourth National Planning Framework, closes 31 March
8. **NEW** Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals) Parking Controls, closes 13 April

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Scottish Government — Fourth National Planning Framework, drop-in session and workshop, Glasgow, 17 March

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council Cycling Village consultation event held on 19 February, brief notes
2. ScotRail, future of Cycle Forum uncertain, with completion of contract by Kathryn MacKay, Cycling Officer
3. North Lanarkshire, Local Development Plan update
4. Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming, City Council’s response to our proposals
5. Glasgow, Belmont, confirmation of Traffic Management Order
6. Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming, City Council’s response to our proposals
7. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, Garscube Road, work started on 2-way segregated cycle lane
8. Glasgow University, March newsletter from Multiplex
9. North Toryglen Greenspace & Active Travel Project update
10. South Lanarkshire, new cycle lanes!
11. Glasgow, Active Travel Forum
12. Sheriffhall success – what next? Update from Scottish Greens

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** Walking & Cycling in Glasgow: Give us your views, open

Yes, GoBike is consulting. Along with Glasgow Eco Trust and On Bikes we are working together to collate information across Glasgow to help improve walking and cycling to create Streets for All, see here for more information and the commonplace map.

If you like what GoBike is doing, with our very limited funds – our only funding comes from our members, unlike most other groups who get public funding – then do please join us. Our minimum annual membership fee is £5 and you can join online here. The more members we have, the stronger our voice.

1.2 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, commonplace map for comments, closes 09 March

This featured as Item 1.3 in our previous Digest, Digest 54 and here’s the link you need to the most recent update and the commonplace map. Do get your comments in soon!

1.3 East Dunbartonshire, Dalkeith Avenue, Wellington Road and Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, No Waiting and No Loading at any time, closes 16 March

This proposal, to remove on-street parking from a short section of Westerhill Road just off Kirkintilloch Road in Bishopbriggs and the junction areas with Dalkeith Avenue and Wellington Road, arrived by email on 11 February from East Dunbartonshire Council and the details were given in Item 1.4 of Digest 54. GoBike normally supports the removal of on-street parking, since it generally interferes with clear routes for cycling – unless we are told of good reasons otherwise. So do please let us know if there are reasons for not supporting this!

1.4 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Townhead, Kirkintilloch, No Waiting at any time restrictions, closes 16 March

This proposal, which came in on 18 February, just too late for Digest 54, is to remove parking in the section of Townhead where the van is. The wasteland now has flats built on it.
Here’s the email we received from East Dunbartonshire Council:

“Dear Sir/Madam,

PROPOSED: THE EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL (TOWNHEAD, KIRKINTILLOCH) (NO WAITING AT ANY TIME RESTRICTIONS) ORDER

The Council is promoting a Traffic Regulation Order which would introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on a section of Townhead, Kirkintilloch. Enclosed is a copy of the draft Order, plan and Statement of Reasons, together with a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Kirkintilloch Herald which is published on 19 February 2020
Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 16 March 2020. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ.
(See attached file: 200218 Townhead proposed Order & documentations.pdf)

Yours faithfully
Fiona Stirling, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ“

GoBike will be supporting this proposal.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, North Kelvin and North Woodside, Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 27 March

Last November, GoBike responded to the Stage One consultation for this proposal and we highlighted 3 concerns:

• Removal of 2-way cycling. Streets are proposed to be 1-way with no exemption for cycling. Contraflow cycling is the default on 1-way streets in Cycling by Design and there is no evidence of it being unsafe.
• The lack of cycle parking. We suggested cycle shelters for residents and cycle stands for visitors to the area.
• Angled or perpendicular to the kerb parking. If this type of parking is to be allowed then common sense and guidance suggests that drivers reverse in to their parking place. Thus they will drive forward when leaving, rather than reversing into oncoming traffic.

Have our concerns been included in the public consultation?

Here’s the email that we received on 28 February:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN AND NORTH WOODSIDE), (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PARKING CONTROLS), ORDER 202_

Further to my consultation email of 31 October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with the statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy for the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/saferparking.

Please note the following modifications have been made since the consultation phase:

• The inclusion of 8 more electric vehicle recharging bays; 1 on Fergus Drive, 4 on Hopehill Road, 1 on Hotspur Street, 1 on Raeberry Street and 1 on Shakespeare Street to promote more sustainable vehicles.
• Removal of 6 No. shared use parking spaces on Hopehill Road to accommodate a project to re-design the junction of Hopehill Road with Maryhill Road.
• The inclusion of the following roads which were missed from the previous list of affected roads due to an administrative error; Belmont Street, Clouston Lane, Kelvinside Grove, Lothian Lane, Malloch Street, Un-named Road (north of the west section of Henderson Street) and Yarrow Gardens Lane.

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to NorthKelvinAndNorthWoodside@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 27 March 2020.

Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to in the email are here: press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map A (see below – the link here is to the correct, updated version of this drawing), relevant map B, relevant map C, statement of reasons, detailed report and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

A promising extract from the documentation that local resident and GoBike member, Alasdair, has noticed is:
“Cycling permeability:
To assist with cycling throughout the area, a ‘no entry except pedal cycles’ restriction is proposed at the junction of Jardine Street with Garriochmill Road. In addition to this, the physical features on Clouston Street, Doune Gardens, Dunard Street, Hathaway Street, Hopehill Road, Hotspur Street, Kelvin Drive, North Woodside Road, Striven Gardens and Wilton Street to prevent vehicular access will also be assessed and upgraded where necessary to better facilitate cyclist permeability.”

We think this means that measures will be taken to prevent car parking where there are already filters across streets!

A query on the drawings was raised by phone with the Assistant Group Manager, Traffic and Road Safety in the afternoon of 03 March and 2 hours later this reply was received:

“Further to your telephone conversation with AB, Assistant Group Manager, Traffic and Road Safety, he has advised of a discrepancy regarding the “No entry except cycles” signage in the drawing 001 for the proposed North Kelvin and North Woodside parking control scheme. This has now been rectified and the online drawings available have been updated to show this.

I note your request for the location of proposed “Prohibition of driving, except pedal cycles” restrictions and can disclose that they are at the following locations (all areas where there is a physical barrier preventing vehicles from driving on the carriageway):-

Avenuepark Street

Clouston Street

Doune Quadrant

Hathaway Street

Kelvin Drive

Striven Gardens

The prohibition of driving except cycles on Shakespeare Street (northwards) and Maryhill Road onto Trossachs Street will remain in place.

Pedal cycles will also be permitted to travel in both directions through the Bus Gate on Hotspur Street and through the Fire Path on the north carriageway of Wilton Street.

As previously discussed there are no plans at this time to include contraflow cycling within the one way streets in this area. “

So there we are, better than it could be but it is still disconcerting that the City Council is ignoring the evidence on contraflow cycling.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Low Emission Zone Phase 2, online consultation, closes 29 March

Here’s the email that we received on 25 February:

“Good Afternoon

Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2018 to reduce air pollution from road traffic and to protect public health.

Our LEZ affects local service buses only at present, however its second phase, which is expected to be enforced from 31 December 2022, will apply to all vehicles driving into the city centre zone, including private cars.

LEZ Public Consultation

To inform how Glasgow City Council should implement the second phase of our LEZ, we are seeking views through consultation on key local aspects; including its boundary, enforcement dates and temporary exemptions – as well as how it might affect your future transport choices. The online consultation is open until 29 March 2020 and can be accessed at this link.

LEZ Stakeholder Workshop

To complement the online consultation, we are holding a Stakeholder Workshop on Tuesday 10 March 2020 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and we would be delighted if you would attend.

Taking part in this Consultation Workshop will give you the chance to discuss and share your opinions on Glasgow’s LEZ.  There will also be the opportunity to hear from council air quality officers as well as Transport Scotland and Cllr Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction.

Registration is required to attend the Consultation Workshop as spaces are limited. Should you or a colleague be able to attend, please reserve your place (link removed by GoBike)

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Many thanks.

Sustainable Glasgow
Neighbourhoods & Sustainability
Glasgow City Council“

One of GoBike’s committee members will be attending and we will have feedback in Digest 56 in 2 weeks, but do remember to complete the survey on the council website. It’s an easy one to do, but concerning that they propose exemptions! There’s always a get-out for the bad guy! So please do the survey and let’s get the air in Glasgow cleaner.

1.7 Scottish Government — Fourth National Planning Framework, closes 31 March

We mentioned the drop-in sessions and workshops for this consultation back in Digest 53, Item 2.1. There’s a drop-in session and workshop in Glasgow on 17 March, see this link for details of this and other events round Scotland.

The same link gives details of just how important this consultation is and GoBike member Sebastian says ” The NPF4 will be a hugely important Government plan for Scotland up to 2050 – it decides national investment, development and infrastructure plans for the future. They have said they will use is to take forward the transport projects needed for the future (from STPR2) – so a big opportunity to re-state what infrastructure we think is needed for cycling and active travel. NPF3 in 2014 included the National Cycling and Walking Network so NPF4 must do much more.“

We were also told about this by our friends in Transform Scotland; see this link to their website.

Do we have a volunteer to write GoBike’s response?

1.8 **NEW** Glasgow, Hutchesontown (New Gorbals) Parking Controls, closes 13 April

GoBike committee member, Thomas alerted us to this consultation, which we need to study. There are moves to prevent commuter parking, but a quick glance at the drawings shows a key for “proposed one / two way operation except pedal cycles”, which looks promising.

If you live or work in this area, or cycle through, do please have a look on the City Council’s website and let us know, at consultations@gobike.org the good and any bad points. We’ll have more information for you in Digest 56 or 57.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Scottish Government — Fourth National Planning Framework, drop-in session and workshop, Glasgow, 17 March

See Item 1.7 above and this link for details of the drop-in session and workshop to be held at the Women’s Library in Bridgeton on 17 March.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council Cycling Village consultation event held on 19 February, brief notes

Brief notes from GoBike committee member, Brenda, who attended the event on 19 February (advertised in Item 1.2 in Digest 54)

• Centred on Argyle Street from PC World to a bit past the Kelvinhaugh Street junction.
• Current plans appear to include:
• Traffic lights at Argyle Street /Kelvinhaugh Street /Derby Street junction
• Derby Street and Kelvingrove Street to be one-way (opposite directions) between (at least) Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street
• Bi-directional cycleways in Kelvinhaugh Street and Derby Street (and presumably Kelvingrove Street )
• Possibility of removing parking from the south side of Argyle Street and having charging points for electric mobility scooters / wheelchairs / e-bikes

Overall, it does look as if things have moved on quite a bit since some time ago when we were shown plans of cycle lanes behind Kelvinhall but it does look as if improvements for people walking and cycling are at a fairly developed stage of planning.

The Community Council in this area is particularly active in its attempts to improve life for its residents. It’s a shame we don’t have active Community Councils right across the city.

3.2 ScotRail, future of Cycle Forum uncertain, with completion of contract by Kathryn MacKay, Cycling Officer

GoBike has attended the ScotRail Cycle Forum over the years but here is some perturbing news, with this email that we received on 18 February:

“Dear Cycle Forum Member.

I write to advise you that Kathryn’s contract as Cycling Manager with ScotRail will come to an end at the end of this month.

In the short term, I would ask that all enquiries regarding cycling activities be directed towards my colleague (name and contact details removed by GoBike).

In the longer term, a review of our resource allocation is taking place in respect of priorities for the remaining two years of the franchise, and the key objectives of the recently published National Transport Strategy 2.

During her time with ScotRail, Kathryn has made a significant contribution to the development of our cycling programme and has overseen a number of successful pieces of work. It has been a pleasure working with her and I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best for the future.

I will be sending out a note to the wider stakeholders group later today but wanted you to know first.

Regards

James
James Ledgerwood
Head of Economic Development & Communities
ScotRail“

Kathryn oversaw the introduction of the new 385 Class trains on the Edinburgh – Glasgow service and it is no doubt down to her that, while not perfect, we have as much bike carriage as we have on our trains. Let’s hope they take on a new Cycling Officer.

3.3 North Lanarkshire, Local Development Plan update

Here’s the email that we received on 21 February from North Lanarkshire Council:

“Dear Sir/Madam,

NORTH LANARKSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE

Our modified proposed Local Development Plan went out to consultation last year.

We have since been reviewing the comments provided and the Planning Committee will be considering our responses at its meeting on 27 February 2020.

The relevant documents can be viewed at: www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/planningdocuments

Should you wish further information please contact us at Yourplan@northlan.gov.uk or phone 01236 632622 for assistance.

Strategy and Policy Team
North Lanarkshire Council
Enterprise and Communities
Fleming House
2 Tryst Road
Cumbernauld
G67 1JW
Telephone Number: 01236 632646

3.4 Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming, City Council’s response to our proposals

In Digest 54, Item 3.3, we published our submission for the proposal to install speed cushions on Ardencraig Road. On 24 February we received the following response, which continues Glasgow’s love affair with speed cushions:

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

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your attached enquiry.

Whilst I appreciate your concerns regarding the installation of speed cushions on Ardencraig Road, I can advise that this section is focused on reducing injury accidents throughout the city. The council has limited funding and resources available to implement traffic calming schemes and in order to make sure these resources are directed at the locations with the greatest potential for casualty reduction, a site risk assessment is undertaken for each request. This process assesses the location against criteria including the history of injury accidents, measured vehicle speeds and the presence of any local amenities such as being close to a nearby school or nursery. Given the presence of Miller Primary School and the results of a recent speed survey carried out on this section of Ardencraig Road, this location met the criteria for the introduction of traffic calming measures.

With respect to your comments regarding a default speed limit of 20mph in Glasgow, I can advise the Council are currently seeking to implement mandatory 20mph city-wide speed limit restrictions on appropriate roads. It should be noted however that not all within Glasgow roads will be appropriate for the lower limit.

I can further advise that whilst the principles of Designing Streets should be applied on existing roads where practical, this would be subject to re-design and would involve considerable costs to the Council. Designing Streets is expected to be used predominantly for the design, construction, adoption and maintenance of new streets.

Finally, you may be aware that the Council and are currently running a pilot project known as School Car Free Zones. The project is running for an initial trial period of 18 months across 6 selected schools where it is known that traffic related issues at the beginning and end of the school day already occur. If the trial proves successful, it is anticipated that this project will be extended to include additional schools in appropriate locations across the city. Schools have been advised to contact the Council should they wish to be included within any future phase of the School Car Free Zone project.

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

3.5 Glasgow, Belmont, confirmation of Traffic Management Order

In Digest 50, Item 3.1 we supported the move to prohibit commuter parking in this area and on 25 February we received this confirmation that the Order was approved:

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

Dear Sir/Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BELMONT), (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2005 (VARIATION NO.2) ORDER 2020

I am writing to notify you that the above named Traffic Regulation Order was made on 18 February 2020 to improve the safety and the actual and perceived security of travelling within the City by reducing accidents and enhancing the personal security of all users of the transport network.

This Order will:

• Prevent commuters parking all day, giving residents priority over these commuters.
• Reduce the availability of long term free parking to discourage people from using their private car to commute to work and thereby encouraging them to use other methods of travel such as public transport, walking and cycling. This can reduce congestion and pollution.

An advert will be placed in the Evening Times on 26 February 2020 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

All those who objected to or supported the proposals will now be written to again and advised of the decision.

Please find attached a copy of the plans for your information.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely,” etc

The plan attached to the email shows just how much resident parking there is in this area – quite a bit.

A further email on 26 February included this information :

“I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal as advertised.

The Order was made on 18^th February 2020 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 26^th February 2020 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.“

3.6 Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming, City Council’s response to our proposals

In Digest 54, Item 3.5, we published our response to the proposals for the installation of traffic calming measures, ie speed cushions, on Castlemilk Drive. Here’s the City Council’s rebuttal of our alternative proposals, received on 26 February:

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

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your attached enquiry.

Whilst I appreciate your concerns regarding the installation of speed cushions on Castlemilk Drive, I can advise that this section is focused on reducing injury accidents throughout the city. The council has limited funding and resources available to implement traffic calming schemes and in order to make sure these resources are directed at the locations with the greatest potential for casualty reduction, a site risk assessment is undertaken for each request. This process assesses the location against criteria including the history of injury accidents, measured vehicle speeds and the presence of any local amenities such as being close to a nearby school or nursery. Given the results of a recent speed survey carried out on this section of Castlemilk Drive, analysis of the Police Scotland injury accident database and the presence of the nearby primary school, this location met the criteria for the introduction of traffic calming measures.

With respect to your comments regarding a default speed limit of 20mph in Glasgow, I can advise the Council are currently seeking to implement mandatory 20mph city-wide speed limit restrictions on appropriate roads. It should be noted however that not all roads within Glasgow will be appropriate for this limit.

I can further advise that whilst the principles of Designing Streets should be applied on existing roads where practical, this would be subject to re-design and would involve considerable costs to the Council. Designing Streets is expected to be used predominantly for the design, construction, adoption and maintenance of new streets.

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

There we have it: disappointing news about the use of “Designing Streets” and no consideration of our contention that installing cycle lanes would narrow the road and reduce traffic speeds.

3.7 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, Garscube Road, work started on 2-way segregated cycle lane

Here’s some better news: work has started on the 2-way cycle lanes on the east side of Garscube Road, part of the Connecting Woodside works, (shame it’s not 2 1-way lanes, but, hey, it’s better than some of the items in this Digest). Here’s an email from one of our members, who is also a member of his Community Council, sent out on 27 February:

GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL(SAWMILLFIELD STREET, GLASGOW)(TEMPORARY TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 2020 

I am pleased to advise that construction of the first phase of the Connecting Woodside project, a two-way segregated cycle lane on the eastern side of Garscube Road commenced on 24 February 2020. 
J McGeady Ltd is the appointed contractor to undertake the construction works. 
During the construction phase, a Temporary Traffic Regulation order will be in place on the eastern part of Sawmillfield street at junction with Edington. This section will be inaccessible by the general public as it will  be used as the main compound by the contractor. Traffic management will be utilised to prevent unnecessary disruption for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic using Garscube Road and the surrounding roads network.  
I trust this is of assistance; however, should you require any further information, please contact Sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk  
Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

3.8 Glasgow University, March newsletter from Multiplex

Latest newsletter on what’s happening at this University.

3.9 North Toryglen Greenspace & Active Travel Project update

It’s while since we heard much from Toryglen but here’s the latest update received on 02 March:

Dear All,

North Toryglen Greenspace & Active Travel Project

The latest design proposals were showcased at an information session in Toryglen Community Base on Tuesday 18th February. Thanks to everyone who came along.  For those interested to find out more, please see the latest updates on the project webpage here https://www.urbanroots.org.uk/northtoryglen/

There’s some good stuff going on here: do take a look.

3.10 South Lanarkshire, new cycle lanes!

GoBike member, Derek, told us about this, though we don’t recall any consultation coming our way:

Surprise announcement by South Lanarkshire Council that they’re starting to build a short stretch of segregated cycle way in East Kilbride on Monday. Hadn’t heard anything or seen plans beforehand. See: https://twitter.com/southlancouncil/status/1233425786574639104?s=21.

3.11 Glasgow, Active Travel Forum

Some news from GoBike committee member, Calum, who attended the recent Active Travel Forum in Glasgow on 26 February:

Officer update from Steve Gray, including updates on many items where GoBike has responded to consultation:

• Garscube Road construction started on Monday (see Item 3.7 above)
• East City Way works are to start at Mount Vernon from 01 April
• South City Way, Queens Park to Five Ways, ie Cumberland Street to be complete May 2020 (not before time, do I hear you say?)
• Wallacewell Road – Spring on site – this is upgraded and new cycle lanes
• Battlefield – paternity leave caused delay to consultation planned for 18 February (see item 2.1 in Digest 54) cancelled at very short notice
• George Square – working on Experimental TRO for July 2020, reducing traffic around the square for an initial 18 months.
• Underline Avenue works from Cambridge Street to St George’s Road – delayed until after COP26 to start of 2021. Embargo on construction works, related to security cordons for the event.
• Sighthill bridge over the M8, construction begins in March

3.12 Sheriffhall success – what next? Update from Scottish Greens

You might remember that in Digest 52, Item 1.1, we published a message put out by Alison Johnstone, the Green MSP, asking us to oppose the construction of a massive roundabout at Sheriffhall? Here’s the next step:

“Success!

Thanks to you and the thousands of other supporters who objected to the £120m Sheriffhall flyover, we’ve secured a review of this congestion-fuelling, climate-busting scheme. We hope that this will lead to this project being scrapped in favour of green transport investment instead.

The commitment was part of a budget deal the Scottish Greens negotiated that also includes a commitment to introduce free bus travel for all under-19s from next year and a £45m climate emergency package that includes more funding for cycling and walking.

Read all about the Green budget deal.

What’s next?

As the transport spokesperson for the Scottish Greens in Edinburgh, I’ll be writing to the leaders of Edinburgh and Midlothian councils, Adam McVey and Derek Milligan, and to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson, to urge them to change the plans for Sheriffhall. I’ll tell them about your strength of support for investing £120m in cycling and walking, instead of building a flyover that will only increase congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

If politicians like Adam McVey and Michael Matheson want to declare a climate emergency, then they need to act on it!

Claire Miller
Green councillor and transport spokesperson in Edinburgh Council”

________________________________________________

Heartwarming to end with some good news. Let’s hope there is more in our next Digest, due out on 17 March.

“Southside community blasts consultation for potential Battlefield plans“

“RESIDENTS have complained they were not involved in a community consultation on ambitious proposals to redesign a South Side area.

Battlefield Street Design is an ongoing project to make the centre of Battlefield and Battlefield Road more pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Community engagement on the scheme, developed by Sustrans Scotland, took place last year.

But locals in Queen’s Drive, which is attached to Battlefield Road, said they were left out of the consultation process.

Now Glasgow City Council bosses have said they will hold another event – and Queen’s Drive residents will be contacted directly to invite them.

Local councillor Soryia Siddique said: “Queen’s Drive residents contacted me regarding not been included in the Sustrans consultation.

“I raised this with Glasgow City Council and they have now arranged another session allowing residents to discuss the concept design drawings produced by Sustrans.

“This is an opportunity for the local community’s views to be taken on board.”

Although it is not part of the nearby South City Way, a cycle route being developed to run from Queen’s Park, down Victoria Road to the Merchant City, the potential new cycle route would form a connection to it.

This would run along Battlefield Road to the Battlefield Rest and on to Mount Florida.

Last year design ideas were on display from March 19 for three weeks to give locals the chance to see the street design project plans.

They are being delivered jointly by Sustrans Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

The hope behind the scheme would be to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to walk and cycle through the area and to improve the quality of the public spaces.

In 2019 13 events were held locally with more than 700 attendees to gather information and develop design ideas, including in Langside Library and Langside Parish Church.

A meeting for Queen’s Drive residents should have been held in December following a number of complaints to the council that the consultation had not be geographically broad enough.

But this meeting was delayed due to the General Election.

An new meeting has now been arranged for February 18 between 4pm and 6pm in Langside Library on Sinclair Drive.

Letters have been sent out to addresses on Queen’s Drive to ensure all residents know the event is taking place.

It will give the chance to give feedback on plans, which have now been handed over to Glasgow City Council.

It is hoped the scheme will be funded by the Sustrans Places for Everyone fund.

A spokesman for the council said: “There has been a very positive response to the proposals to improve the streets and public spaces connected to Battlefield Rest.

“The plans extend out from Battlefield Rest in either direction to Mount Florida and Govanhill and one of the main aims is to help make these streets more attractive for active travel. “

If you live, work or travel southside do please get along and support the proposals.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Scottish Government propose to build “spaghetti junction” at Sheriffhall Roundabout on the A720, Edinburgh Bypass, closes 31 January
2. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February
3. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation period now extended to 03 February
4. **NEW** Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation, on-line, closes 09 February
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February
8. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February
9. **NEW** Glasgow, South Side Car Club Traffic Regulation Order, closes 14 February
10. **NEW** Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, TRO, One-Way with no contraflow, closes 14 February
11. Glasgow, Byres Road, Byres Road Traffic Management and Parking Controls, includes cycle lanes, closes 14 February
12. Glasgow, Byres Road, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, closes 14 February
13. Glasgow, Byres Road, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 14 February
14. **NEW** Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event TOMORROW, 22 January
2. Glasgow Avenues, Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenue, 25 February
3. Glasgow, Transforming Pollok Country Park – Public Meeting, 04 February

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Fastlink Route, (Finnieston Bridge to Whitefield Road) Order 2015, Amendment No.1 20__, acknowledgement of GoBike objection
2. Glasgow, Ashgill Road Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns.
3. Glasgow, Duror Street, Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns
4. Glasgow, construction of Sighthill pedestrian/cycle bridge to start next month
5. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside Update, with news of new Facebook page
6. Glasgow Avenues project, George Square and Blythswood Square.
7. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden – Waiting & Loading Restrictions, approved

Section 1: Current Consultations

1.1 **NEW** Scottish Government propose to build “spaghetti junction” at Sheriffhall Roundabout on the A720, Edinburgh Bypass, closes 31 January

Here’s a message that has been put out by Alison Johnstone, MSP (Green Party), which is pretty clear and self-explanatory. New road construction means less money to build cycle lanes. Please respond.

“The Government look set to spend £120 million on a new spaghetti junction on Edinburgh’s bypass. We can stop them though. Government are consulting on the new junction now. Please take a second to object and ask them to invest these funds into public transport and bike lanes instead. We can’t just keep on pouring public money into building new roads like there is no climate emergency.

Take action now
 
By their own admission, the Government expects this scheme to increase traffic by 5%. Across the world we’ve learnt that if you build more road capacity it just fills with more cars and causes more pollution.

But the same is true with the alternatives. Invest in public transport, and the buses, trains and trams fill up. Build cycle lanes, and people get on their bikes.

Business as usual is killing the planet, and it’s time for change. The Government declared a climate emergency. Sheriffhall spagetthi junction is the first test of whether they mean it.

Lets make this clear and flood them with objections. Please take action and share the campaign now.

Yours
 
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian

Take Action Now  “

1.2 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February

This has been mentioned once or twice already, Item 1.13 in Digest 49 gave the details for this on-line consultation, do please respond before it closes. Here’s the link to the City Council’s consultation page where you have to scroll down to find this one.

The survey is quite short, so won’t take you long to do – and do try to ignore all the “typos” in the information in the Council’s consultation information!

While this isn’t one of the city’s radial routes, which are so important, a good cycle route out to Pollok Park from the city centre should get people to take to their bikes. You might wish to question why the route is two-way on one side of the road rather than 2 lanes, one each side? Another concern is cycle priority at side roads – including all the driveways!

1.3 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation period now extended to 03 February

There’s no reason given as to why this consultation is being extended but here’s the email that we got on 07 January:

“Dear All,

Firstly, we would like to thank all of you who have already provided responses to the consultation.

Many of you have also been in contact to request more time to complete your responses. We are happy to announce an extension to the consultation period.  

We now invite you to respond to the paper by 3 February 2020.

Our online portal for submitting responses will remain open until midnight on this date but we also welcome input in any format. Attached is a word version of the online portal – please feel free to use this form if you prefer.  

The consultation paper, summary and more details on how to respond are available on our project page at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/automated-vehicles/ 

Yours sincerely,

Automated Vehicles Team – Law Commissions“

Note that the word version of the online portal is not given here. GoBike uses WordPress for its website and this does not permit the uploading of word documents. If you wish to have the word version please request one direct or email consultations@gobike.org

Here’s the letter of response that GoBike sent in on 06 January. Be afraid, very afraid!

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation, on-line, closes 09 February

The Avenues programme has been quiet for a while but here’s a recent email that we received last week, headed “Glasgow Avenues: Glassford Street and Stockwell Street Online and On Street Consultations”:

“On 16 Jan 2020, at 19:56, Avenues <avenues@ironsidefarrar.com> wrote:

Glasgow Avenues – Your Avenues Consultation

A multi-disciplinary design team led by Ironside Farrar Ltd has been appointed to deliver the second phase (“Block B”) of the Glasgow Avenues programme which will invest £115m in the public realm of the City Centre in the next few years, introducing a network of connected ‘green’ routes across Glasgow’s city centre. 

Block B includes Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenues.

The Design Team are seeking to consult with you – local residents, businesses and stakeholders –  on the draft proposals for these two streets in the following 3 ways:

1. You are invited to view and comment on the concept designs online at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues

2. Complete the Scottish Government ‘Place Standard’ tool online at:  www.placestandard.scot/start/glasgow-avenues-glassford-street-stockwell-street, helping us understand your perception of the street as it is today.

3. Drop-in to our on-street consultation: look out for out friendly rickshaw displays on Saturday 25^th January, where staff will be on hand to discuss the emerging design thinking and to record your opinion on the concept designs.

Please feel free to forward this email to other parties who may be interested in getting involved.  The online consultation is open until 9^th February 2020.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kind Regards,

Charlie Griffiths“

From point 1, clicking on the link will get you to the City Council’s Avenues page. Click on the down arrow at Consultations and then on “here” under “Current Consultation”.

Or you can try this quick link: https://glasgowgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=94c1feae990244afb5650b928f14c959

The questionnaire for point 2 is quite curious – very generic, but you will be able to comment on the dominance of the motor vehicle, particularly with respect to the large areas on Stockwell Street given over to car parking. Why aren’t they proper parks, with trees and grass and somewhere to sit?

We’ve been told that the consultants have 2 rickshaws that will be moving about but do look for them at the Argyle Street precinct or further south at the car park area. If you go, do please have your bike with you, or your children, or ageing aunt in a wheelchair – anything to demonstrate that we should have priority over all the cars in the area.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Ardencraig Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

Glasgow City Council now seem to have an alphabetical approach to traffic calming with this and the next 2 schemes that have arrived in the Consultations mailbox this very morning, 21 January. Here is the email and attachments for the first, Ardencraig Road in Castlemilk:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

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

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

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

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

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

Ardencraig Road

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

• 3 sets of 3, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions,
• 3 sets of 2, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions.
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

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

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the attached documents: Proposals, Proposals Section 1 and Proposals Section 2

It’s the standard approach to high traffic speeds, yet again, by the City Council, which is now proclaiming itself as “Glasgow – proud host of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) – UK2020” but where are the cycle lanes to the school?

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

Moving on to “B” and north-west to Cardonald, here’s the email from earlier today, 21 January, for these 2 residential roads:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme

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

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

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

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

• Bankfoot Road
• Wedderlea Drive

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

• 6 sets of 3, 1.8m, 75mm high, speed cushions,
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant Jordan Tracey on 0141 287 9173.

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

Yours faithfully” etc

Here’s one of the feeder roads on to the cycle lanes we so desperately need on Paisley Road West if we are to achieve the modal split required to save the world. Not many, sorry, not any, apologies for not reaching the target, the aim, no sorry, just an aspiration of 10% of journeys by bike this year, were there? Let’s look to doing better this decade.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 February

On that long Castlemilk Drive (singing along to Devil Gate Drive, a classic from Suzy Q!), struggling up to, or coasting down from, the top of the hill and the countryside of South Lanarkshire, motorists are going too fast and so we must suffer yet more speed cushions. Why can’t such concerns be declared as public realm schemes and then we might get cycle lanes, giving us enough room to wobble up the hill without danger of being clipped by a close-passing motor vehicle? However, money is tight and the COP26 delegates won’t be encouraged to visit Castlemilk, so we will be stuck with another rash of speed cushions. Here’s the email received from the City Council today, 21 January:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Castlemilk Drive) Traffic Calming Scheme

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

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

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

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

• Castlemilk Drive

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

• 4 sets of 3, 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions.
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 11 February 2020).

Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

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

Yours faithfully”, etc

Here’s the plan showing the proposed speed cushions: Castlemilk Drive plan

Note the active-travel friendly parking! GoBike will applaud the aim, but not the method, of reducing traffic speeds here.

1.8 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February

This consultation featured in Digest 50, Item 1.7 and here is the link, again, to the City Council’s consultation page. This consultation is the second item on page 1. We hope to have the GoBike response in our next Digest.

Note that the area it covers is bounded on the south-east by Glassford Street and Stockwell Street.

1.9 **NEW** Glasgow, South Side Car Club Traffic Regulation Order, closes 14 February

Here’s a consultation that GoBike responded to at Stage One – details further on – but this is the email for the public consultation that we received on 16 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SOUTH SIDE CAR CLUB) ORDER 202_

Further to my consultation email of 3^rd December 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant drawings, statement of reasons and detailed report.

The location proposed for Queen Elizabeth Gardens has been removed from this order and will be included in a future parking control order for the area.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Group Manager, Sustainable Transport, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G! 1RX or by e-mail to SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14^th February 2020.

Yours faithfully,” etc

Here are the documents referred to in the email above: Advert, Report, Statement of Reasons, Allison Street plan, Paisley Road West plan, Torrisdale Street plan, Kenmure Street plan and Albert Drive plan.

At Stage One we were given this information by email:

“Background to the proposed Order
This order is proposed to provide car club and electric parking on the south side at the locations below in line with the Council’s policy for sustainable transport and emission reductions.

Area affected by the proposed Order
The area is the south side of the city.

Details of the proposed Order
The order proposes the following restrictions as shown on the attached drawings:

• Electric charging and car club bays on Alison Street east of Langside Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Queen Elizabeth Gardens north of Old Rutherglen Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Paisley Road West at Cessnock Street.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Torrisdale Street west of Victoria Road.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Kenmuir Street north of Albert Drive.
• Electric charging and car club bays on Albert Avenue north of Queens Drive.“

You will see that Queen Elizabeth Gardens in the Gorbals has been removed at the Public Consultation stage, presumably because of local lobbying but GoBike objected, see this letter, to the inclusion of Paisley Road West. Paisley Road West is a major arterial road connecting the city centre to the outskirts and one of the most heavily cycled roads into the city; kerbside parking obstructs the construction of the cycle lanes we desperately need on this route if we are to meet climate change targets. We have had no response from the City Council to this well-argued letter written by one of our members.

GoBike will be responding to this public consultation but if you support our views do please write in to comment or object to the proposals.

1.10 **NEW** Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, TRO, One-Way with no, or perhaps with, contraflow, closes 14 February

The service road is a residential and shopping side road to the busy Carmunnock Road and at the Stage One consultation GoBike was told that “The Council have been made aware of road safety issues with the existing two-way traffic flow on Carmunnock Road (Service Road).  Therefore, a questionnaire was posted to the nearby residents to find out if they supported the introduction of a proposed one way system.  The results of the returned survey were 23 in favour of the proposals and 6 against.”
In its response, GoBike argued strongly that cycling must be exempt from the one-way order. Since receiving the Public Consultation email below, GoBike has emailed the City Council for an answer to the one-way question. However, we now note, from the Detailed Report issued with this public consultation that improved safety may be achieved by ” Providing a single directional route for vehicular travel.” Note the use of the word “vehicular”, which would not normally include cycles?

Here’s the Public Consultation email received on 17 January:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CARMUNNOCK ROAD (SERVICE ROAD)), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20__

Further to my consultation email of 6^th December 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads Neighbourhoods and Sustainability or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 14^th February 2020.

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Notice, Plan, Statement of Reasons and Detailed Report.

1.11 Glasgow, Byres Road, Byres Road Traffic Management and Parking Controls, includes cycle lanes, closes 14 February

You may be aware that we responded last autumn to the Stage One consultation concerning the proposed cycle lanes on Byres Road and submitted detailed questions related to the design of the cycle lanes. A major concern is about side road junctions where, to us, it’s obvious that all traffic (motor, cycle, pedestrian) has priority over traffic into and out of side roads. Unfortunately, the City Council appears to take a different view.


We informed you in Digest 51 that the 3 TROs for Byres Road had just been published but full details from the City Council arrived just too late for inclusion in that Digest.

Here’s the email that we received on 06 January, with almost no detail of the cycle lane design:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BYRES ROAD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to ByresRoadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs

Some of our members are busy writing our response and our concern at the lack of information on the cycle lane design has been voiced to the City Council.

1.12 Glasgow, Byres Road, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, closes 14 February

GoBike supports 20mph speed limits in our towns and cities and Byres Road is no exception. We supported this proposal at the Stage One consultation in the autumn and no doubt we will support it now.

Here’s the email we received on 06 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BYRES ROAD) (20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to ByresRoad20MPH@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs.

The FAQs are certainly not directed at those of us keen on active travel; here’s one Q and A:
“Can I park / load in the cycle lanes?
 Parking / Loading from the cycle lanes is not permitted“
Yes, the motor driver is still seen as the main customer – the the FAQs are the same for all 3 TROs.

1.13 Glasgow, Byres Road, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls, closes 14 February

Car parking on the streets around Byres Road is not normally a major concern for most of us in GoBike, but if you live in Hillhead you might have a different view or particular concern about this proposal? If so, do email consultations@gobike.org and we can include it in our response.
Points we have noted so far include the introduction of a second car parking permit per household (why should that be introduced in a city that’s trying to reduce car ownership, reduce pollution and will be hosting COP26 in November?) and the ridiculously cheap parking charges (even if they are the same across the city). Surely parking charges should be at least the cost of a return ticket on the Subway or bus and not just 80p per hour?
Here’s the email received from the City Council on 06 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (HILLHEAD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 20_

Further to my consultation email of 28^th October 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report and FAQs.

Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services or by e-mail to HillheadTRO@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 14 February 2020

Yours faithfully” etc

The attached documents are here: Press Advert, Plan, Report, Statement of Reasons and FAQs.

This information was included in the Stage One email, but there is far more information within the Report:

“Background to the proposed Order
The proposal is to amend the existing Hillhead parking controls from a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ).
RPZs are indicated by zone entry signs which have a no waiting roundel to inform that no waiting is permitted at any time outwith the bays. The zone entry signs tell you to “park only in signed bays” with a no waiting roundel which means no waiting at any time. This is the restriction which applies outwith all the marked bays.
This order will propose the conversion of “residents only” parking bays to “shared use” bays in order to bring the parking regime in Hillhead into line with other residential areas within the west-end. Whilst all bays will become “shared use”, residents will be able to acquire a second personal permit and visitor permits, fees will be in line with other zones. Permits will also be usable in adjacent zones. The order will also include proposals to pedestrianise Ashton Lane / Great George Lane with service access limited to specific times and controlled by drop-bollards. Residential access to the rear of Ashton Road will be maintained. Cresswell Lane will remain pedestrianised.“

The private car is still at the top of the transport tree, it seems.

1.14 **NEW** Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February

GoBike member, Emily, alerted us to this consultation, which has a question on “Do you have any proposals that would improve the space around our homes and promote connected places and vibrant communities?” and the ‘vision’ and background refer to lots of relevant stuff about connectivity, walking and cycling, vibrant local areas, climate emergency, air pollution, etc.

Here’s the link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-2040-consultation-outline-policy-options/pages/3/

Do have a look and let’s get lots of responses in that mention cycling and active travel.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event TOMORROW, 22 January

Going hand in hand with Item 1.2 above, the on-line consultation on the SWCW extension along St Andrew’s Drive, is this public consultation event tomorrow, Wednesday 22 January at St Albert’s Primary School, 36 Maxwell Drive from 3:30 to 7pm. You may see details of the proposals at this link. Do try and get to the event if you can; there will be the opportunity to speak to the staff involved about the proposals.

2.2 Glasgow Avenues, Stockwell Street and Glassford Street Avenue, 25 January

Mentioned in Item 1.4 above, is this on-street, meet the people event:

“Drop-in to our on-street consultation: look out for out friendly rickshaw displays on Saturday 25^th January, where staff will be on hand to discuss the emerging design thinking and to record your opinion on the concept designs.“

We don’t have any more information but it should be quite easy to spot one or other of the 2 rickshaws that the consultants will have. If you are in the town, do look out for the displays; check out the area at the end of the Argyle Street precinct or the car park areas on Stockwell Street.

2.3 Glasgow, Transforming Pollok Country Park – Public Meeting, 04 February

On 17 January GoBike received this email from The Transforming Pollok Country Park Project Team within Glasgow Life:

“Hello,

Following previous consultation events, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life would like to invite you to a public meeting on the access proposals being developed for Pollok Country Park, as part of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project.

The purpose of this meeting is to share the proposals, summarise recent changes in response to feedback from previous consultations, and outline current progress ahead of a formal planning submission later in February 2020.

Transforming Pollok Country Park

Public Meeting

Tuesday 4 February, 6.30–7.45pm

at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Pollokshaws Road, G43 1NE

The meeting will include a presentation lasting up to 45 minutes followed by up to 30 minutes for questions.

We hope you can join us. If you’re unable to attend but would like to find out more, please email us at PollokCountryParkTransformation@glasgowlife.org.uk.

Kind regards,
The Transforming Pollok Country Park Project Team”

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Fastlink Route, (Finnieston Bridge to Whitefield Road) Order 2015, Amendment No.1 20__, acknowledgement of GoBike objection

Our objection to the proposal to allow taxis and authorised vehicles to use the bus and cycle lanes on this bridge was published in Digest 50, Item 1.2 We received this acknowledgement on 07 January:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Tricia Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, FASTLINK ROUTE, (FINNIESTON BRIDGE TO WHITEFIELD ROAD) ORDER 2015, AMENDMENT No.1 20__

I am writing to confirm receipt of your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order. Following the publication period, officers shall commence an analysis of all correspondence received and issue you with a considered response in due course.

Please note that timescales for preparing and distributing a considered response can be influenced by the quantity and nature of correspondence received.

Yours faithfully” etc

Let’s hope they are rethinking the proposal, especially since it is so close to the site of the COP26 Conference in November.

3.2 Glasgow, Ashgill Road Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns.

This consultation was detailed in Digest 50, Item 3.10 Our letter, sent in on 18 December, raised concerns that the GCC response to speeding on this wide road in the north of the city was to yet again install speed cushions with no thought to narrowing the road with cycle lanes etc. Note that no Traffic Regulation Order is required for the installation of speed cushions. The City Council response to our letter, with this email of 08 January, is illuminating as to how the Council currently operates:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

Whilst I appreciate your concerns regarding Ashgill Road not being included as part of the city’s cycle network, I can advise that this section is focused on reducing injury accidents throughout the city. The council has limited funding and resources available to implement traffic calming schemes and in order to make sure these resources are directed at the locations with the greatest potential for casualty reduction, a site risk assessment is undertaken for each request. This process assesses the location against criteria including the history of injury accidents, measured vehicle speeds and the presence of any local amenities such as being close to a nearby school or nursery

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.” The Local Transport Note also recommends a maximum spacing distance of 70 metres between each set of speed cushions, however, in this instance we would consider that the road bends at this location also act as traffic calming features.

Whilst I appreciate that drivers may accelerate and brake between each set of cushions, the Council are currently seeking to implement mandatory 20mph city-wide speed limit restrictions on appropriate roads. Should the restrictions be introduced, a reduction in the permitted speed limit would encourage drivers to maintain a reduced speed whilst negotiating speed cushions or any other form of traffic calming feature.

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

3.3 Glasgow, Duror Street, Traffic Calming, GCC response to our concerns

Again, this consultation was detailed in Digest 50, item 3.13 and we submitted this letter on 18 December. To reduce speeding by motor vehicles on this wide road in the east of the city it seems to be a reasonable suggestion to stop most through motor traffic with a filter to allow only buses (and emergency vehicles) and bikes through but here’s the reply that we received on 10 January. Note that the installation of speed cushions does not require a traffic regulation order and that a filter, of the type we propose, ie one with rising bollards or similar, would not prevent residents accessing either side of that filter:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL BRADY, GROUP MANAGER – TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted enquiry.

I can advise that the introduction of a bus/cycle gate would require the Council to successfully promote a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The legal process of promoting a TRO is subject to formal consultation and public advertisement, is open to objection and can take in excess of 12 months to complete. The promotion of such an order also requires the support of emergency services and various other road user groups. It is highly likely that the introduction of a bus/cycle gate on Duror Street would lead to objections from local residents as they would be unable to park near to their properties. In view of the foregoing, there are no plans at present for a bus/cycle gate to be introduced at this location.

I can advise that the Local Transport Note for Traffic Calming (LTN 1/07), which gives guidance on the design, effectiveness and installation of traffic calming measures, states that “Distances between cushions, or cushions and the kerb, should not generally exceed 1200mm, with 1000mm as an ideal maximum. These dimensions are designed to deter drivers of small vehicles from attempting to drive in the gap.” The Local Transport Note also recommends a maximum spacing distance of 70 metres between each set of speed cushions and this recommendation has been adhered to in the design of this traffic calming proposal.

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

3.4 Glasgow, construction of Sighthill pedestrian/cycle bridge to start next month

GoBike has responded to several consultations about the regeneration of Sighthill, and some might remember that this was a favourite project of the one-time Cycling Czar Councillor Frank McAveety? Who’s he? Some newer GoBike members might ask. However, the Glasgow (Evening) Times reported on 11 January that construction of the bridge should start in February, be completed in August 2021 and cost £19m. See: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18153032.development-sighthill-bridge-cost-19m/?ref=ebln

3.5 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside Update, with news of the Woodside ‘Making Places’ project

If you don’t subscribe direct to the Connecting Woodside updates then you will have missed the free family fun event on Saturday but there is a new Facebook page about the Making Places project that is working in tandem with the active travel team. See this link and if you live in the area do get involved. If you would like to ask a question to the project team about this update or the project? Email sustainabletransport@glasgow.gov.uk.

3.6 Glasgow Avenues project, George Square and Blythswood Square.

News of the Avenues and these 2 squares and yet more consultation in today’s Herald newspaper; follow this link for the details. Let’s hope for the best that it happens.

3.7 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden – Waiting & Loading Restrictions, approved

The Traffic Regulation Order, which we supported, see Digest 45, Item 1.2, to limit parking in this area near the car showroom, has now been approved, and here’s the confirmation from East Dunbartonshire Council, received today, 21 January:

“Dear Sir/Madam

The Traffic Regulation Orders mentioned below has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 23 March 2020.

Attached are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the edition of the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which is published on 24 January 2020.

Yours faithfully
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ
Telephone 0300 12345 10 (Ext 8012)

Note Referred to:- 1. The East Dunbartonshire Council (Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive And Woodvale Avenue, Bearsden) (No Waiting And No Loading At Any Time Restrictions) Order 2020.
(See attached file: 200121 Killermont, etc – Waiting Time Order 2020.pdf)“

Good to get something in from outwith the city, but we do hope to get more positive news in before COP26, which will be upon us before we know it.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultation

1. Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), CLOSES THIS FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY
2. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January
3. Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January
4. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February
5. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Byres Road, 3 TROs now published on Glasgow City Council’s website, close 14 February

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. GoBike ride 05 January, to see what has been done and how much more is needed.

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), CLOSES THIS FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY

This is important, setting the tone for what comes next. If you haven’t responded to this on-line consultation yet, please do so by 5pm on Friday afternoon. Here’s the link to the survey and here’s the letter that GoBike has also submitted. The survey is easy to do, but do remember to be ambitious; Scotland needs transport systems to match its scenery, ie superb.

1.2 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January

This consultation finally closes next Thursday; we’ve been publicising it since Digest 46, Item 1.9 back at the end of October. Here’s the link to the consultation and here’s the letter we have written in to voice concern. It’s almost a fantasy world to expect automated vehicles to improve conditions on our roads but do have a look at the consultation for yourself.

1.3 Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January

This high-level document was first featured in Digest 48, Item 1.11 and here is the link to the City Council’s consultation page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find this one.
GoBike has submitted this letter outlining our views. Do please add your voice to the consultation.

1.4 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February

This on-line consultation first featured in Digest 49, Item 1.13 and, as you can see from the screenshot above, there is plenty of room for cycle lanes for a route running from the city centre to Pollok Park. Do please get your views in – the link to the City Council’s consultation page is here (scroll down to find this one) – although you might wish to wait until after the consultation event on Wednesday 22nd Jan (see Item 2.1 below) to respond.

1.5 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closes 14 February

This is a consultation that was confused with Item 1.3, sorry about that, but we featured it in Digest 50, Item 1.7 and here is the link, again, to the City Council’s consultation page. This consultation is the second item on page 1.

Previously we responded to the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework with this letter in April 2019 and the St Enoch District Regeneration Framework in September 2019 with this letter. The response to this latest consultation will be along similar lines.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Byres Road, 3 TROs now published on Glasgow City Council’s website, close 14 February

We’ve just found out that the TROs for Byres Road, proposed parking changes, cycle lanes and 20mph are now all on the City Council’s website, see: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro
We’ll be having a close look at these over the next couple of weeks.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January

As mentioned in Item 1.4 above and in our Consultation Extra of 29 November, there will be a consultation event at St Albert’s Primary School, 36 Maxwell Drive on Wednesday 22 January from 3:30 to 7pm. You may see details of the proposals at this link.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 GoBike ride 05 January, to see what has been done and how much more is needed.

This is the route of the 15 miles or so of the GoBike ride on Sunday plus a wee bit from Glasgow Green to the start at the SEC.

Much of the infrastructure that we travelled on has been the topic of consultation and that is shown in bold – search on our website at www.gobike.org to find details. From the SEC and travelling clockwise our journey covered:

• West City Way (consulted on and constructed before GoBike records were kept on our website)
• Woodside – recent and ongoing consultation
• Garscube Road – included in the Woodside consultation
• The Underline project – one of the Avenues projects connecting New City Road under the M8
• St George’s Road – to connect Woodside to Sauchiehall Street
• Sauchiehall Street – the first of the Avenues projects to be constructed, from Charing Cross to Rose Street
• Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street – a further Avenues project to connect the Sauchiehall Street Avenue to the east of Queen Street Station
• South City Way from King Street via Bridgegate and Gorbals Street to Victoria Road and Queen’s Park – under construction
• Muirend to Queen’s Park Quiet Way – advisory cycle lanes
• South West City Way – constructed from Commerce Street to St Andrew’s Drive and currently under consultation for continuation to Pollok Park
• National Cycle Route 756

Well, that was shorter than usual but do try to respond to the consultations listed – the more voices the authorities hear, the more they will listen. No doubt there will be more in Digest 52 in two weeks time.

Sunday 5 January 2020 – 2020 Vision
For our annual tour of cycle infrastructure, we will be taking a trip around various works both north and south of the river. We’ll start by heading to Woodside to see the latest on the Connecting Woodside project, then cross the city centre by way of Sauchiehall Street, to the Merchant City from where we’ll follow the South City Way. We’ll continue south through Battlefield, then turn at Muirend to head for Queen’s Park, the South West City Way, and the Stobcross Bridge.
16 miles, ending back at Kelvingrove in time for lunch.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.

See here on our website for further details.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December
2. Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
3. Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), closes 10 January 2020
4. Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
5. Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020
6. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020
7. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission
2. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission
3. Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
4. Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response
5. Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved
6. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes
7. Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats
8. Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved
9. East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response
10. Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update
11. GoBike met GCC, 13 December
12. Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme
13. Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme
14. Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20mph Limit Speed Zone, closes 27 December

This proposal first featured in Digest 49, Item 1.9 and here’s the GoBike letter supporting the proposal. Please add your voice, if you have time, particularly if you live, work or cycle in Sighthill.

1.2 Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge, taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO closes 03 January 2020

This consultation was brand new in Digest 48, Item 1.9 and it just makes Fastlink worse if possible. Taxis and authorised vehicles are now able to use all four lanes of this bridge on a permanent basis after a “trial” for 18 months. The trial was to check whether the inclusion of taxis slowed buses down, but since the main hold-up for buses is on Lancefield Quay, we are now told that there has been no deterioration, so taxis may stay. The change puts active travel back, not forward and this won’t look good when COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, comes to Glasgow next year. Here’s the GoBike letter of objection. Do put in your own letter/email of objection – unless you are a taxi-driver ……

1.3 Transport Scotland, Second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) closes 10 January 2020

This important consultation was Item 1.11 in Digest 49 and, if you haven’t already, do respond to the survey if you have time over Christmas and the New Year. Here’s a link to the survey.

1.4 Law Commission, HIghly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

We first mentioned this UK consultation back in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and the information and consultation details are here. Do have a look and see if you find anything that is reassuring!

1.5 Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

This consultation appeared in Digest 48, Item 1.11 but was then excluded from Digest 49 in favour of the Central District Regeneration Framework (see Item 1.7 below). Apologies for the confusion but we do have 2 city centre consultations at the same time! This is the higher level document and our in-house expert has been looking at it. The GoBike response should be in the next Digest, appearing in the New Year.

These high-level documents can seem quite vague but more detailed policy is based on them, so it’s important that we look at them. The link to this one is here, although the link is to a list of current consultations and this one is on page 2!

1.6 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension on-line consultation, closes 03 February 2020

Item 1.13 in Digest 49 gave the details for this on-line consultation and, although it’s open for over a month, do please respond before you forget. Here’s the link to the City Council’s consultation page where you have to scroll down to find this one.

Done well, the South West City Way, running all the way from the City Centre to Pollok Park, could be a significant boost for cycling in Glasgow.

1.6 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, closing date 14 February 2020

We featured this in Digest 49, Item 1.14 and we are working on our response. The link, which is the same as the last two items is here – scroll down to the correct document. It’s similar to the previous Regeneration Frameworks that we have reviewed, more detailed than the City Centre Strategic Development Framework in Item 1.5 above, but still not a lot of specifics.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, South West City Way, St Andrews Drive extension, consultation event 22 January 2020

Featured in Digest 49, Item 2.2 this consultation event will be held at St Albert’s Primary School,  36 Maxwell Drive, on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 between 3.30pm and 7pm.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order, parking, GoBike submission

GoBike supported the proposal, first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.3, to restrict commuter parking with this letter on 28 November.

3.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed TRO and road humps, Maxwell Avenue area, Bearsden, GoBike submission

This consultation, which closed on 16 December, was first featured in Digest 47, Item 1.6. We aren’t too happy with the speed tables, which only leave a narrow gap at the side for cycling – here’s the letter we submitted on 12 December.

3.3 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response

GoBike supported the consultation, which closed on 13 December, to control the chaotic commuter parking around Dalmarnock Station and the Police Scotland offices, with this letter on 15 December. All the details were first given in Digest 48, Item 1.5.

On 19 December we received this reply from GCC:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DALMARNOCK WEST)(TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 20___

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.

I note your comments regarding Shawfield Road and would reiterate that this falls outwith the Glasgow City boundary, however, I can confirm that an officer will contact South Lanarkshire Council to raise your concerns.

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely“, etc

So, good news that the two neighbouring councils will speak to each other!

3.4 Glasgow, Robroyston Station, parking restrictions, GoBike submission and GCC response

The TRO to prohibit parking on the new road from the M80 to the new Robroyston Railway Station was first featured in Digest 48, Item 1.6. We supported the ban and strongly suggested that now is the time to construct cycle lanes, with this letter, dated 12 December.

On 18 December this reply was received from Glasgow City Council:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (ROBROYSTON STATION) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of GoBike.

As previously advised it is intended to provide cycle measures on Station Road to connect to Robroyston Station and this will be subject to future consultation which you will be advised of when progressed.

Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely” etc

We live in hope that this will be both the original Station Road from Cumbernauld Road to the station and the new road from Robroyston and the M80 junction!

3.5 Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking changes approved

Back in June, and featured in Digest 36, Item 1.4 we were sent proposals for parking restrictions and a two-way cycle lane on Garscube Road, to which we responded with this letter. We were sent this email on 04 December:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (GARSCUBE ROAD, (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) 2019

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal with changes as specified below:-

·       Provision of on-street short-term pay and display parking on the west side of Firhill Road.

The Order was made on 11^th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk

Yours sincerely” etc

See the next item for news of the cycle lanes!

3.6 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside update, construction to start on Cycle Lanes

The latest Connecting Woodside update, received on 17 December:

And here’s the headline news: ” Construction on the first phase of the Connecting Woodside project will begin in early 2020! This is a segregated cycle route on Garscube Road, from Firhill Road to the underpass at Dobbie’s Loan. “

3.7 Glasgow, Beith Street, developer wins appeal to build flats

This is the saddest and most disgraceful news we have had in a long time. In the face of 160 objections, from local residents, from Patrick Harvie, MSP (Green Party) and GoBike, planning permission has now been granted to the developer who wishes to build 48 flats on the green space shown here, adjacent to the shared cycle/foot path that is National Cycle Route 7.
Details of the planning application are here and here are the details of the final outcome: https://reglasgow.com/flats-plan-for-yellow-ribbon-partick-open-space-gets-go-ahead/

3.8 Glasgow, North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands, Mandatory 20mph speed limit zone approved

A 20mph speed limit has now been approved for this area. Here’s the email we received on 04 December:

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN, NORTH WOODSIDE AND WOODLANDS) (MANDATORY 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) 2019

I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposal.

The Order was made on 11^th November 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 22^nd November 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please email SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely,” etc

3.9 East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 Representation, ERC response

GoBike responded to the consultation on the LDP2 with this letter, as reported in Digest 49, Item 1.3 and we received this response on 12 December:

“GoBike
Dear Sir / Madam
East Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) and Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report (October 2019)
Your Reference LDP2/174

Thank you for your representation (s) in respect of the above documents. The Council will aim to resolve issues raised by representations prior to submission of the Proposed LDP2 to Scottish Ministers. You may be contacted for further information or clarification if required. Following the close of the consultation a report will be produced summarising all representations received and detailing the Council’s response. This will be reported to Council and made available on the Council’s website.

If there are unresolved representations the Scottish Ministers will appoint an independent Reporter to examine the Proposed Plan. The Reporter appointed will consider all matters and make recommendations to the Council and to Scottish Ministers on any changes that should be made to the Plan. The Council must incorporate these recommendations prior to adopting the Plan. Once adopted, the Plan has a legal status and is used for the assessment of planning applications and will guide development within East Renfrewshire.

Please quote reference number LDP2/174 in all future correspondence.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Strategy Team on 577 3001 or email ldp2@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk if you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,
Gillian McCarney Strategic Services Manager”

3.10 Renfrewshire, City Deal, GAIA Construction Update

Here’s the latest on what’s happening out near Glasgow (Renfrew?!) Airport:

3.11 GoBike met GCC, 13 December

As we advised in Digest 49, Item 2.1, Ali, Brenda and Tricia from GoBike cycled out to the new Glasgow City Council offices on London Road, to meet Kevin Hamilton, Michael Brady and one of their team who all deal with parking and traffic calming.
We had a good discussion and hope to meet again.
On parking our main concern is the removal of two-way cycling to allow adequate space for the parking that local residents claim they need, even when commuter parking is being removed by the City Council. We heard that there is a plethora of documents, and opinions, that do or do not support contraflow cycling and the Council is understandably concerned to keep our streets as safe as they think they can.
On traffic calming and the universal use of speed cushions, we heard that there is pressure from residents and City Councillors to act quickly to reduce dangerous motor traffic speeds. Speed cushions certainly do the job but do not necessarily answer our concerns about making streets active-travel-friendly. Unfortunately a decision is made early in the process about which box a proposal fits and currently something that requires speed reduction does not get to be a cycle scheme. Funding is critical too.

3.12 Glasgow, Ashgill Road traffic calming scheme

Continuing from the item above, Ashgill Road is one that we discussed with the City Council. As you can see from the photo, Ashgill Road is wide and lends itself to high speeds requiring a crash barrier on the bend outside the Community Centre, preventing people from crossing the road to get direct access.

Ashgill Road is in the north of the city but has not been designated as a cycle route, even though it connects to Balmore Road, a significant arterial road and is near railway stations. We were given to understand that traffic calming schemes are a 2-part process and the notice we received on 28 November proposing speed cushions was the Stage One consultation. We replied with this letter on 18 December.

We have since learnt that traffic calming using speed cushions does not need a Traffic Regulation Order and that there is local consultation at the same time as the statutory consultees are notified. Here are the plans of the speed cushion locations we were sent on 29 November: Full proposal, Plan 1, Plan 2.

We’ll be on the ball in future!

3.13 Glasgow, Duror Street, another traffic calming scheme

Here’s another wide road, in Shettleston, and the residents are concerned about the high speeds of motor vehicles. Here’s the email that we received on 29 November:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (Duror Street) Traffic Calming Scheme

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

Background to the proposed Scheme

The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme

The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-

Duror Street

Details of the proposed Scheme

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

• 5 sets of 4, 1.9m, 75mm high, speed cushions.
• The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 20 December 2019).”

This is the letter submitted on 18 December, suggesting that the road be stopped up to motor traffic midway. As with the item above, from now on, traffic calming proposals will be published in these Digests soon after receipt. However, if you become aware of moves to reduce motor speeds in your locality do let GoBike know and do let your local council know that you want something better than speed cushions or tables.

3.14 Glasgow, Gartnavel Hospital Site Active Travel Meeting 18 December

Notes from Gartnavel Active Travel Route Meeting 18.12.2019 from GoBike member Caroline:
“The meeting was held to discuss plans to improve cycling conditions within the Gartnavel Hospital site.
Second Next Bike station, sited in close proximity to Hyndland Train Station exit – highly likely to be installed.
Additional covered bike parking requested, it was advised that there may be additional facilities required e.g. showers to promote cycle commuting to staff.
Connectivity with QEUH – it was advised that this will be reviewed as part of a wider NHSGG strategy to improve access to sites. Sustrans advised that they would welcome a Glasgow-wide application for matched funding.
Widening the existing path from Hyndland Station was touted as a possibility by Sustrans, but their rep was reminded of the conflict this could lead to between pedestrians and those on bikes.
Site visit- highlighted need for design improvements at the Great Western Road (GWR) junction and to connect the shared use path that runs parallel to GWR (continuing on road past the restaurant), desire lines across grass, asked why path wasn’t continued here – GCC were too late with funding, allegedly. Also Hughenden residents objected to cycle route running past their homes.
Second desire line running alongside steps down to Hyndland Station – Sustrans rep requested that a ramp be installed here. ScotRail have been consulted about installing a Falco ramp on the Underpass steps at Hyndland Station, but they might object as the stairway width is insufficient. The need for improved signage and wayfinding on proposed routes was highlighted, and it was requested that the access from Claythorn be improved to better accommodate non-standard bikes e.g. tag-alongs/ trikes. I asked what the longer-term strategy was to improve the hostile cycling conditions bordering the hospital site. Crow Road has been prioritised for 20mph limit, however Sustrans advised it’s unlikely to be implemented any time soon, improvements will be made to the Southbrae Drive/ Crow Road junction and access to Jordanhill Station but the future of cycling on Great Western Road remains unknown. I asked if GCC have an interim Transport Strategy to aid decision-making until the Transport Strategy is completed in 2021 but they don’t; Sustrans stated they are still using the Transport Strategy that related to the Commonwealth Games, which doesn’t contain much relating to those commutes starting outwith the city-centre.” 

That’s a lot of information, but Caroline does make the point that Crow Road and Great Western Road are still not attractive cycling routes.

______________________________________________

Enjoy yourself over Christmas and the New Year. Your next Digest will be with you in January.