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.

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Glasgow, Road Satisfaction on-line survey, closes ??
2. Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 (Variation No. 2) 20__-Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November
3. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road and Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December
4. East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December
6. **NEW** Glasgow City Council (Robroyston Station) Traffic Regulation Order 201_ , closes 13 December
7. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December
8. **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December
9. **NEW** Glasgow, Finnieston Bridge taxis and authorised vehicles to use bus and cycle lanes TRO, closes 03 January 2020
10. Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020
11. **NEW** Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Scottish Government, Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Elmbank Street, we have found an alternative route!
2. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Lenzie Waiting Restrictions
3. Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 open through Glasgow Green during events
4. Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to bring in a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow
5. Glasgow, South West City Way at Buchanan Wharf (Clyde Place and West Street), progress!

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** Glasgow, Road Satisfaction on-line survey, closes ??

GoBike members Derek and Neil alerted us to this on-line survey. The City Council is looking for residents’ views of the city’s roads. As seems quite standard with these things there is no closing date given, so please try to respond as soon as you can, using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/glasgow-city-2

1.2 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 (Variation No. 2) 20__-Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November

The publication of these proposals was reported in Digest 47, Item 1.3 and GoBike fully supports the proposed restriction on parking. We’ll be writing in later this week confirming our support.

1.3 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road and Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December

These proposals have been in recent Digests, including Digest 47, Item 1.4. While we support protected cycle lanes and are concerned about shared footways, we recognise that for those many people who do not wish to cycle on road with all the single occupancy motor commuters at this busy junction area, these proposals will improve their journey. Our letter of response is here.

1.4 East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December

This was first mentioned in Digest 47, Item 1.5 and we have now started a new channel on Slack for GoBike members who live, work or have a strong interest in East Renfrewshire active travel. Members have been to the Local Consultation events and are busy finding out the issues and concerns about the Local Development Plan 2. Here’s the link to the document and consultation details. If you would like to get involved, do please contact us. We aim to have a GoBike response ready in good time for 13 December.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Dalmarnock West TRO parking restrictions, closes 13 December

Yes, this is another that we unwittingly published at the Stage 1 Consultation Stage. Our response, given in Digest 46, Item 1.2, one of support, but also concern about parking being displaced across the river, is here. The City Council replied on 12 November with this email:

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

Thank you for your comments on behalf of GoBike, in relation to the above named Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
I note your comments regarding Shawfield Road and would advise that this falls outwith the Glasgow City boundary and is not included within the above TRO.

However, your comments regarding this and your further comments about the National Cycle Route 75, have been passed to the appropriate team, who will respond to you in due course. 

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require further information please contact my assistant, (Name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The information now put firmly in the public domain and sent to us with this email on 18 November is here:

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

Further to my consultation email of 4^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.

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 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully

Kevin Hamilton, Head of Roads, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

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

GoBike will maintain its support for these proposals but will emphasise the points we made before about Cycle Route 75 and our concern about parking transferring to South Lanarkshire, just across the river. Do write in to the Council if these proposals affect you or you have a view on them.

1.6 Glasgow City Council (Robroyston Station) Traffic Regulation Order 201_ (OFFICIAL), closes 13 December

Stage 1, north of the railway
GoBike received the initial proposals for this scheme, to restrict parking on a new road (not shown on this map) from the M80 (at the roundabout to the north-west of the new station) to the station itself on 28 October 2019. We replied on 19 November with this letter, basically saying that we support the parking restrictions but that cycle lanes should be constructed from Robroyston along this new road to the station.

Here’s the email reply that we received from the City Council on 22 November:

“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 support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of GoBike.
It is intended to provide cycle measures on Station Road to connect to Robroyston Station and this will be subject to future consultation.

I trust this is of assistance, however should you require further information please contact my assistant (name and contact details removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely” etc

Note the intention to “provide cycle measures”!

Public consultation 2018, south of the railway
This would link in excellently to the proposal we submitted for cycle lanes to be constructed in conjunction with parking restrictions on Station Road Millerston, linking the new station to the A80 Cumbernauld Road last October. Our final mention of that consultation was Item 1.1 in Digest 22. Here’s our letter of support with comments .

For the proposal above, for Station Road, Millerston, it slipped our notice last year that the eastern side of Station Road is in North Lanarkshire, not Glasgow, so residents in the houses on the right-hand side of the road in the photo above might well be plagued by cars left outside their homes once the station opens in a few weeks!

Public Consultation north of the railway
This brings us back to the public consultation for the new road north of the railway and this email that we received on 21 November 2019:

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

Dear Sir/Madam

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

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 and detailed report. Additional corner protection has been added to the initial draft order at Millersneuk Crescent to ensure safe access for the local community.

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, Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to SustainableTransport@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 13^th December 2019.

Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents referred to in the email: Press Notice, map/plan, Report and Statement of Reasons.

We will be repeating our request for cycle lanes on this new road in our response. The overall scheme has the potential of creating good active travel access from Robroyston across to Hogganfield Loch and the Seven Lochs wetland park . The east and north of the city has been neglected so far on the active travel front and this is a chance to address that shortfall. Do please write in to support our suggestion!

For these overall works, ie the new road to the north of the railway, the double yellow lining on all the new road and the west side of Station Road south of the railway plus the east side of Station Road at the railway end – see this plan from last year for the Station Road Millerston proposal, it’s critical that there is liaison between Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire! If you live in Glasgow Ward 17, Robroyston, Glasgow Ward 21, North East or North Lanarkshire Ward 5, Stepps, Chryston & Muirhead do please contact your councillors to press on them the need for good cycling provision.

One of the councillors for Ward 17 is Martin McElroy, who briefly oversaw cycling issues in the previous Glasgow administration and spoke at a GoBike AGM a few years ago. He also cycles regularly, so do please contact him if this is your ward.

1.7 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December

This was a new public consultation that we publicised in Digest 47, Item 1.6. We commented on the proposal at the initial stage with a view that the gap at the side of the speed tables should be more than 750mm. This hasn’t been included in the final proposal but we will not object to the scheme overall.

1.8 **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Stewartfield Way proposed upgrade, closes 20 December

GoBike member, Derek, posted this on Slack and all those of you who live, work or travel in East Kilbride please do take notice of this. Here is the link to the proposal, with photos and videos plus details of how to respond.

Derek’s comment on this Stewartfield Way fly through video screenshot is: “Looks like narrow shared path, not primary cycle route as marked in amended network plan. Huge roundabout in background with few crossings.” Certainly, just a quick look at the website link gives the impression that the proposals are to cater for the motor vehicle congestion by building more road, rather than looking for modal change, with the emphasis on public and active travel. Derek gives us another comment, probably from twitter “consultation on dualling. Narrow shared paths, few crossings but now dressed up like it’s primary route in active travel network.”

Do please get your views in – this may be done on-line; see the link given above, and repeated here.

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

In June 2018 we received the proposals for an experimental TRO to allow taxis and authorised vehicles to use the Finnieston/Clyde Arc/Squinty Bridge for an 18-month period. This was reported in Digest 11, Item 1.8 and we were not happy. Here’s the letter of objection that we submitted on 08 June 2018.

The City Council have apparently decided to make the trial a permanent feature and here’s the email that we received on 25 November:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,

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

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and 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 Projects Manager, Project Management and Design, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, 231 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 3^rd January 2020.
Yours faithfully” etc

The documents referred to in the email are here: Press Notice, Map/Plan, Statement of Reasons and Report.

We are unaware of any improvements that have been made to the active travel regime in the area of this bridge and Fastlink overall, but presumably there have been no incidents reported to Police Scotland in the duration of the temporary TRO. No doubt the taxi operators are delighted with the additional road use they have gained! If you have any views on your experience of using this bridge do please email them to consultations@gobike.org so that they may be reflected in our first message of the New Year to the City Council.

1.10 Law Commission, Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

This consultation was first given in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and we are hoping that we see the views of those organisations with more insight than us before submitting our response in the New Year. If you do see reviews of this proposal do please send the details to consultations@gobike.org

1.11 **NEW** Glasgow, City Centre Strategic Development Framework, closes 17 January 2020

GoBike member, Pat, alerted us to this latest in the series of Strategic Development Frameworks for Glasgow. Here’s the link to the consultation and we will be reviewing it over the next few weeks. If you have any specific concerns do please let us know.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Scottish Government, Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2)

CyclingUK in Scotland alerted us to this forthcoming consultation and here’s the email that we got on 18 November:

“Hi campaigners and supporters

What’s on your cycling Christmas list? I’m talking about cycling infrastructure that you want in your area rather than new tyres for your bike or a thicker pair of gloves!

Government and their consultants are right now finalising an online consultation for the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) – a kind of spending review of major transport projects for the next 20 years. See this set of slides abut STPR2: https://transformscotland.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/STPR2-Presentation-1st-May-2018.pdf

The online consultation is a way of gathering ideas for consideration in the spending review. It’s massively important that we use this consultation to say what is needed in Scotland, and use it to give Government confidence that there is support for spending money on cycling infrastructure.

We expect the consultation to be launched this month so do look out for it. I want to give you advanced notice so you can think about how to work with others in your groups, clubs, and networks to develop ideas. I also want to be of assistance in helping you and will provide more information when I know more about the consultation. But please do get in touch if you want to discuss or if you have questions.

This consultation is important – STPR2 will apportion £billions on transport – we need to make the case for sustainable transport loud and clear and tell Government what we want.

Regards

Jim
Jim Densham
Campaigns and Policy Manager – Scotland
Cycling UK in Scotland
Email: jim.densham@cyclinguk.org“

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Elmbank Street, we have found an alternative route!

Regular readers of this Digest will surely remember the fury we vented on Glasgow City Council when, as part of the plans for the Sauchiehall Street Avenue and Cycle Lanes project (which we very much support) it became clear that there was to be no easy way to reach Sauchiehall Street from Elmbank Street and the busy area to the south of Bath Street?
At a stroke the north part of Elmbank Street was made one-way southbound, and why? To allow car parking on either side! Yes, even though there is a multi-storey car park on Elmbank Crescent to the rear of the King’s Theatre. Numerous requests were made to the City Council for details of the cycle route from Bath Street to Sauchiehall Street but, we were told, such detail was outwith the remit of the Sauchiehall Street project.

GoBike member, Derek (and note we have 2 very active members with the first name Derek), has now brought it to our attention that Bath Lane, running south to and parallel to Bath Street has been resurfaced from Elmbank Street to Holland Street. Holland Street, which was made one-way southbound from Sauchiehall Street to Bath Street for the duration of the works, has now reverted to being one-way northbound. Thus there is a feasible route from the two-way section of Elmbank Street, ie via Bath Lane and Holland Street.

This route, of course, is not signposted, so won’t be obvious to the many visitors to our fine city and it does not absolve our City Council of their refusal to allow contraflow cycling and improve permeability for cycle traffic.

3.2 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Lenzie Waiting Restrictions

Back in March we published proposals for parking restrictions in Lenzie and surrounding areas in East Dunbartonshire in Digest 30, Item 1.7. Our response, supporting the proposals was in Digest 31, Item 1.7. East Dunbartonshire have now approved the TRO and here’s the email that we received on 12 November:

“THE EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL (LENZIE) (WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2019

The above-mentioned Traffic Regulation Orders has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 6 January 2020. Enclosed are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the editions of the Kirkintilloch Herald which is published on 13 November 2019.

(See attached file: 191112 Lenzie Area – Waiting and Loading Restrictions.pdf)

Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services“

3.3 Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 open through Glasgow Green during events

As reported in Digest 47, Item 3.2, Bob Downie’s petition was heard by the City Council’s Wellbeing, Empowerment, Community and Citizen Engagement City Policy Committee on 14 November. Here is the Committee Report and the recommendations are:
“After consideration, the committee
(1) agreed that the issues raised in the petition deserved further attention; and
(2) instructed the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
(a) to implement his proposals
(i) to develop more robust, clear and visible signage directing cyclists and walkers to the alternative route when temporary closures of the National Cycle Route 75 were required;
(ii) to install early warning signs advising of up-coming events;
(iii) to arrange that the alternative route via the South embankment of the River Clyde be reviewed and improvements made to the surface and signage to further enhance the diversion; and
(iv) to ensure that officers engaged directly with affected groups; and
(b) to consider opportunities to consult alongside the major review of events and public parks. “

So far, so good. We’ll let you know if and when we hear any more.

3.4 Glasgow, Bob Downie’s petition to bring in a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow

Some of you might remember that back in 2015 Bob Downie presented his petition calling for the introduction of a default 20mph speed limit in Glasgow. The petition was well received by Councillors but then fell away and the policy of bit by wee bit was reverted to. Well, a lot has happened since then so we can’t give Bob all the credit but Glasgow City Council has now agreed to roll out a 20 mph limit across the city, see: https://stv.tv/news/west-central/1442576-glasgow-roads-set-for-20mph-speed-limit-over-next-four-years/

This is good news indeed. GoBike has been supporting every new introduction of a 20 limit in the city but has been appalled at the arbitrary nature of these zones, of which there are now over 80. Yes, that’s right, over 80. Goodness knows how much all these have cost both in terms of TROs, signage and, of course collisions, as drivers go too fast for the conditions. It will be good to get some standardisation.

3.5 Glasgow, South West City Way at Buchanan Wharf (Clyde Place and West Street), progress!

GoBike members on Slack will be aware that we have been in correspondence with Fairhurst, the Design Consultant for the Barclays Bank development on Clyde Place, about concerns over the South West City Way. GoBike member, Tor, sent in this photo, which is on her daily commute, because vehicle drivers exiting Riverview Gardens, to the right on the photo, appeared to be taking no cognisance of cycle traffic, particularly if it was coming from their left.

The latest news from Fairhurst, is this email, sent today, 26 November:

“Please find attached our drawing number BWHARF-FHS-IN-XX-DR-D-94-151 C01 which shows changes to the road markings at West St / Riverview Gardens that have been approved by GCC, following consultation with them. The edge of carriageway and centre line markings that go through the cycleway are to be removed to help emphasise that cars are approaching a junction where they are to give way to cyclists. The Council preferred to retain give way lines rather than using a stop line.”

Lots of good news in the feedback in this Digest. Let’s hope that it’s not just a one-off and we have more to tell you in 2 weeks’ time.

So that is the good news from Glasgow City Council and the bad news is contained within Item 3.1, a Parking and One-Way Street issue, but do read on for our list of contents and the wide range of issues that we bring to you in this issue:

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes TODAY, 12 November
2. Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November
3. Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 Variation No.2) 20__ – Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November
4. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December
5. **NEW** East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December
6. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December
7. Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, TOMORROW 13 November
2. East Dunbartonshire Active Transport Networking Event, 26 November
3. CyclingUK: “Why the Highway Code should be rewritten ” Forthcoming consultation from the UK Government

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Mount Florida, Parking and One-Way, with no contraflow, discussion
2. Glasgow, Council Hearing for GoBike member, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 through Glasgow Green open during events
3. Glasgow, City Centre, Candleriggs, Traffic Management Order, 2010, Variation 20

Section 1: Current Consultations

1.1 East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes TODAY, 12 November

This consultation was previously noted in Digest 45, Item 1.7 and Digest 46, Item 1.6. We hope that some of you managed to get along to one of the consultation events that have been held and have responded to the consultation? Here’s the GoBike response drawn up with grateful thanks to GoBike member Dave for his review.

1.2 Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November

Details of this consultation were in our last issue, Digest 46, Item 1.7 and our response was in that issue too – we were quick off the mark!
Please do write in if you have views on this proposal, particularly if you support it! It’s important that support for active travel schemes is voiced, to try to drown out the I-need-my-car-to-go-anywhere lobby. It will only take a minute or two to email land@glasgow.gov.uk to say that you fully support the GoBike response.

1.3 Glasgow, Belmont Traffic Management Order 2005 Variation No.2) 20__ – Publication of Proposals, closes 29 November

If you are thinking that you have seen this in our Digests before, then you are absolutely correct. We were sent details under the Stage One Consultees List and inadvertently, because we had not been told of our new status, we published the consultation details as usual.

Here’s the email that the City Council sent to us on 01 November:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (BELMONT), (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2005 (VARIATION NO.2) 20__

Further to my consultation email of 17^TH September 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 29^th November 2019.

Yours faithfully,” etc

Here are the documents listed in the above message: Press Notice, Plan, Statement of Reasons and the Report.

GoBike supported the proposals when we were told about them earlier and we submitted this letter on 15 October. Obstructive and indiscriminate parking of motor vehicles is not something that GoBike can support and we will be repeating our message of support for this TRO.

1.4 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December

All the details for this proposal were in Digest 46, Item 1.8 and we have heard from one of our members, John, who commutes through this area. He tells us “I use this route when I cycle to work. It is more pleasant than the main road, if slower.” Another GoBike member, Dave, declines to use it because it is slower, so doesn’t this just prove the case for good cycle infrastructure?

Here’s our letter of response.

1.5 **NEW** East Renfrewshire, Local Development Plan 2, closes 13 December

We heard about this from GoBike member, Meredith and we are still doing some investigation, so if you have any concerns do let us know at consultations@gobike.org Here’s the link to the document and consultation details

1.6 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order and road humps – Maxwell Avenue Area, Bearsden, closes 16 December

Here’s the email that we received on 08 November from East Dunbartonshire and, again, you might think you have seen this before! We responded to what was apparently the Stage 1 consultation back in January as reported in Digest 27, Item 3.4

“The Council is promoting a Traffic Regulation Order which would introduce a 20 mph speed limit zone in the Maxwell Avenue area of Bearsden and five round top road humps on Maxwell Avenue.
Enclosed are copies of the draft Order, plan and Statement of Reasons for the Traffic Order and the Plan of the location of the humps, together with copies of the Notices that are to appear in the Milngavie & Bearsden Herald which is published on 15 November 2019.
Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 16 December 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ.

(See attached file: 191104 Maxwell Ave Area proposed 20 mph zone.pdf)
(See attached file: 191107 Maxwell Avenue – Notice & Plan.pdf) “

It’s unfortunate that we weren’t clearly informed of this distinction, but we did generally approve the proposals, with one concern, we would prefer to see more than a 750mm gap either end of the the speed tables to allow clear passage for all cycles. While we don’t like speed tables we will not be objecting to this scheme.

1.7 Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Details of this UK Government consultation were published in Digest 46, Item 1.9 and repeated here is the last part of the email we received:

“We invite you to respond to the paper by 16 January 2020. We have set up an online portal for submitting responses but welcome input in any format. If you have ideas for consultation events or would like a meeting please get in touch.

The consultation paper, summary and details for 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“

GoBike will be reviewing the document but if you do have any views on these automated vehicles do please let us know at consultations@gobike.org

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, TOMORROW 13 November

This meeting was publicised in our last Digest, Digest 46, Item 2.2 and here is a further copy of the email that was sent out:

“From: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Date: 22 October 2019 at 12:50:48 BST
To: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Subject:University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting

The University of Glasgow will hold a public meeting on Wednesday 13 November to update about progress on its Campus Development Programme.

The event will be held in the Wolfson Medical Building (Gannochy Room), from 18:30 – 20:00. You can register to attend through Eventbrite.

The meeting is open to the public and will focus on the ongoing and upcoming work taking place on the Gilmorehill campus, particularly on the site of the former Western Infirmary.

The agenda includes presentations from University project managers, as well as construction partners.

We intend to update on the following areas, however there will also be the opportunity for questions.

1. Infrastructure on University Avenue, University Place, and future demolitions along Church Street;
2. Construction update for the James McCune Smith Learning Hub and the Research Hub;
3. Overview of planning and final design for the Clarice Pears Building (Institute of Health & Wellbeing);
4. Planning and anticipated programme for the Adam Smith Business School and landscaping for the Southern Gateway;
5. A look inside the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, the Research Hub, including community facilities;
6. Community benefits;
7. Q&A.

Due to a busy agenda, please note the event will start at 18:30 prompt. Refreshments are available in the Atrium of the Wolfson Medical School Building from 18:00.

Tickets are not required, however attendees are encouraged to register, so that we have an indication of numbers. 

For those who have attended these meeting before, the Gannochy Room is next to the lecture theatre where the sessions are usually held.

Please direct queries to campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk“

Do get to the meeting if you have an interest in what’s happening at the University.

2.2 East Dunbartonshire Active Transport Networking Event, 26 November

GoBike received this invitation from CyclingUK on 31 October:

“Cycling UK would like to invite you to their Community Cycling and Active Transport Networking Event

It would be great if you could join us from 4pm – 6pm on Tuesday 26^th November at Hillhead Community Centre
169 Meiklehill Road, Kirkintilloch, G66 2JT

You can register for this FREE event at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cycling-uk-community-networking-event-2019-east-dunbartonshire-tickets-79515467905

This event is for anyone with an interest in walking and cycling in East Dunbartonshire.  We hope to bring together representatives from East Dunbartonshire Council, Cycling UK,  local grassroots cycling groups, community cycling organisations, organisations that hosted Big Bike Revival events and Cycling UK affiliated and Member groups.  Our aim is to discuss cycling and walking provision in the area and look at improving infrastructure and opportunities.  

Attendees can expect:

– A warm welcome with refreshments.
– Introduction from Cycling UK
– Speakers from East Dunbartonshire Council and local cycling organisations
– Potential new local cycling opportunities
– Interactive sessions to share knowledge and ideas
– Opportunities to network and get involved

Please share with your friends and networks, as well as any walking and/or paths groups who might be interested in shared initiatives. 

I look forward to seeing you there!

If you are unable to make it to the event but would like to take part in future events and discussions then please feel free to drop me a line
Many thanks and best regards

Eileen

Eileen Hamill
Development Officer – Big Bike Revival Glasgow and West of Scotland
Cycling UK
Email:eileen.hamill@cyclinguk.org
Web: www.cyclinguk.org“

This is a great opportunity for GoBike members to find out what is happening in East Dunbartonshire, so do get along if you can.

2.3 CyclingUK: “Why the Highway Code should be rewritten ” Forthcoming consultation from the UK Government

All those of us who are Cycling UK members probably received the weekly “Cycle Clips” email on Friday 08 November and within it is this article about a forthcoming review of the HIghway Code:

“Many people have the view that the Highway Code is largely irrelevant and with 307 rules plus annexes, it’s just too long, nobody reads it once they’ve passed their test and few people know the rules. Cycling UK Head of Campaigns Duncan Dollimore explains why the Highway Code needs to be rewritten so that it helps to protect vulnerable road users and can promote active travel.

It is to be hoped that this review takes place soon and is well informed by the active travel movement.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Mount Florida, Parking and One-Way, with no contraflow, discussion

This conversation, by email, with Glasgow City Council, has been going on for some time and centres on 2 issues. One is the FACT that one-way streets with no cycle contraflow cut down access/permeability for cycle traffic, and secondly, the FALLACY that businesses need their customers to be able to park their motor vehicle right outside their premises. The initial details were in Digest 39, Item 1.4 and in Digest 44, Item 3.1 we published an exchange of views between the City Council and ourselves.

Here’s the latest in the discussion, an email that we received on 30 October and our reply of 11 November. We do hope that after this quite frank exchange of views we will be able to speak to people at the City Council and come to some agreement on future proposals.

3.2 Glasgow, Council Hearing for GoBike member, Bob Downie’s petition to keep National Cycle Route 75 through Glasgow Green open during events

105 people supported Bob Downie’s petition (click on “Search and view all petitions”) to keep the cycle route by the Clyde through Glasgow Green open during events and it is now to be considered by the Wellbeing, Empowerment, Community and Citizen Engagement City Policy Committee on Thursday 14 November. This is good news indeed, and Tricia from GoBike and Jim from Cycling UK will be going along to support Bob to keep this important cycle route open as much as possible.

The photo above was taken on 04 November, the day before the 05 November Fireworks and shows that not only can the cycle and walking route be kept open while that event was prepared, but can be open while the Fair was in action, and the benches can be kept in use.

Let’s hope we get a good result on Thursday – we’ll let you know.

3.3 Glasgow, City Centre, Candleriggs, Traffic Management Order, 2010, Variation 20

Back in 2017 Glasgow City Coucil published proposals for traffic alterations for Candleriggs in the Merchant City. Here’s a copy of the Report that we were sent at the time:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (CITY CENTRE), (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010
(VARIATION No20) (CANDLERIGGS) ORDER 201_
Report
The Council proposes to amend the current road layout on Candleriggs to support the development of the site bounded by Candleriggs, Trongate, Hutcheson Street and Wilson Street in the Merchant City area of the city centre.
The site of the former Goldbergs site has been unoccupied since 1990 and several buildings have been demolished as they had become unsafe.
The development of the site was approved for planning in April 2016, and will provide retail, student, lease, residential and hotel accommodation along with new attractive pedestrian access routes through the development linking the city centre.
The order will close Candleriggs to all traffic other than pedal cycles between Wilson Street and Bell Street, reverse the current eastbound one way operation of Bell Street between Albion Street and Candleriggs and remove the current prohibition of vehicles between 11pm and 9am on Candleriggs. This will provide access to the development from Albion Street while restricting through traffic and encourage sustainable transport in the city centre.”

Here’s the plan that was submitted at the time.

GoBike submitted this letter of support on 11 November 2017, to the proposals, drafted by GoBike member Peter, who lives nearby and who is a member of the Merchant City & Trongate Community Council.
We have no record of a response to our specific requests, but on 07 November 2019 we received this confirmation that the proposed changes are approved:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTINE FRANCIS, HEAD OF TECHNICAL SERVICES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir/Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, CITY CENTRE (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION No20)(CANDLERIGGS) ORDER 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 as advertised.

The Order was made on 25^th October 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on Wednesday 30^th October stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.
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

A move in the right direction!

Back in 2 weeks with more!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes TOMORROW, 30 October
2. Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking restrictions, closes FRIDAY, 01 November
3. **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Filtering Silvertonhill Avenue, Snap Survey, closes?
4. **NEW** Dundee, Low Emission Zone, closes?
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20 mph Speed Limit Zone Order, closes 11 November
6. East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November
8. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December
9. **NEW** Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, public consultation event TOMORROW, 30 October
2. Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, 15 November – plus more disruption on University Avenue!
3. Glasgow, Skirving Street and Deanston Drive, place-making, 21 November

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue
2. North Lanarkshire, Work to start on Horsley Brae junction improvements
3. Scotland’s National Transport Strategy consultation: GoBike submission
4. Glasgow, Planning Application for 48 homes, Beith Street, Partick
5. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.54
6. Glasgow, Winter Gritting Arrangements, now to include some cycle lanes
7. Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, George Square – is it time for change, closes TOMORROW, 30 October

We detailed this short survey in Digest 45, Item 1.5, so do please look at it before the survey closes tomorrow. It’s just a short survey with lots of views already in supporting the removal of motor traffic. Do add to this!

1.2 Glasgow, Dalmarnock West, Commuter Parking restrictions, closes FRIDAY, 01 November

This was a new item in Digest 45 – see Item 1.6, where we have detailed the parking chaos to the west of Dalmarnock Station across to the Police Scotland offices, which even spreads to the other side of the river at Shawfield. Here’s the letter GoBike sent in 2 weeks ago – do please add your support.

1.3 **NEW** South Lanarkshire, Filtering Silvertonhill Avenue, Snap Survey, closes?

Here’s a drawing of the proposal to close the through route from Silvertonhill Avenue to Chestnut Crescent in Hamilton to motor vehicles, but maintain two-way cycle access. Here’s the information that GoBike member, Derek Y, sent in:

” South Lanarkshire Council have proposed a filter at bottom/north of Silvertonhill Avenue with cycle access. This cuts down through traffic on residential streets and makes it easier for children to cross to Woodside Primary School west of Johnstone Road. A shame it keeps 1-way at north without cycle contraflow – you might wish to suggest this in your response to the Survey (with plans on p2) at https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157053578908 “

Derek had tried to improve even further on permeability for cycling in this area so if you know this part of Hamilton do please advise South Lanarkshire Council of what more could be done – there’s a space in the survey to add comments.

This is just the sort of thing that we’d love to see more of all over the Greater Glasgow and Strathclyde area as modal filters make local areas nicer by discouraging rat-running, short journeys by car more unattractive and provide alternatives for people travelling by bicycle.

There’s no apparent closing date for the survey so do respond to it quickly. It’s really easy and very short.

1.4 **NEW** Dundee, Low Emission Zone, closes?

This is another quick survey that we have heard about from Friends of the Earth, but there is no indication of a closing date. You might only cycle in Dundee on your hols or travel to the city to visit the V&A or the Discovery but surely you will want the air to be as clean as it can be?

Here’s the email received on 24 October from FoE:

” Everyone who lives, works or visits Dundee city centre is being exposed to dangerous air pollution. The Council has a plan that will do little to change that. That’s why we need everyone in Scotland to speak up. 

Dundee Council are asking for the public’s views on their Low Emission Zone (LEZ) plans. We have provided a step-by-step guide that will help you respond quickly and effectively. Click to take action

A Low Emission Zone should restrict the worst polluting vehicles and protect the health of people who live and work in the area. But Dundee’s LEZ plans are a tiny zone which ignores Lochee Road –  consistently one of the most polluted roads in the whole of Scotland! 

This Zone needs to improve air quality for anyone who spends time in Dundee and that means making sure it cleans up the most polluted areas. 

The First Minister, and many councils, have declared a climate emergency. But we’re still seeing business-as-usual ideas. Climate emissions from transport are the same now as they were in 1990. 

There is an opportunity for Dundee to show real leadership and move away from fossil fuelled vehicles. If Dundee Council hear from enough people demanding more ambition, they will have to pay attention. 

Please take a few minutes to respond to the consultation now “

I found the various option pictures a wee bit confusing so the FoE guidance was a big help.
Do respond to this quick survey and let’s get Low Emission Zones in all Scotland’s cities.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Sighthill, Mandatory 20 mph Speed Limit Zone Order, closes 11 November

Sighthill redevelopment continues and Glasgow City Council is looking to introduce a 20mph speed limit for the area. Here’s the email that we received on 21 October:

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

Dear Sir / Madam
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SIGHTHILL), (MANDATORY 20mph SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and I wish to establish the preliminary views of your organisation prior to the publication of these proposals.

Background to the proposed Order
Glasgow City Council are proposing to implement a mandatory 20mph speed limit in Sighthill. 

The purpose of the Mandatory 20mph Zone is to ensure that vehicle users reduce their speeds to 20mph or less, and therefore improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and all other vehicle users.  By turn, it is anticipated that this will encourage more people to walk and cycle, which will naturally see improved health benefits.  

Area affected by the proposed Order

The roads affected by these proposals are bounded by:-
The order will affect the residential area generally bounded by St. Rollox Drive to the north,  Springburn Road to the east. The M8 motorway to the south and the railway line to the west.

The roads affected by the proposals are:
Cuddies, Campus Place, Fountainwell Drive, Fountainwell Gardens, Fountainwell Groove, Fountainwell Road, Hopepark Wynd, Hopepark Court, Huntingdon Street, Huntingdon Road, Huntingdon Close, Huttons Drive, Pinkston Road, Pinkston Drive, Pinkston Wynd, Sighthill Avenue, Sighthill Circus, Sighthill Park Gate,  Sighthill Park Terrace, Stalk Court, Tower Place.

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

·        The implementation of a 20mph speed limit. 

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (reply by 11^th November 2019).

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

Should the Council proceed with these proposals; a copy of the Notice of the proposed Order will be forwarded to you intimating an opportunity to lodge any objections to the proposals.

Yours faithfully

Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

The plan mentioned above is here.

GoBike will be supporting this proposal, probably the first time such a large area has been covered by a 20mph TRO, our only concern being how compliance will be ensured. If you live in Sighthill or travel through there please do add your support to this move; Sighthill is a residential area where children, and everybody else, should be able to move about without fear of being mowed down by a motor vehicle going too fast.

1.6 East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, closes 12 November

This consultation was featured in Digest 45, Item 1.7 and there is now just one Consultation Event left to go to – and that’s tomorrow!
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre – Wednesday 30 October – 3pm-7pm

If you can get there please do, and send any views to consultations@gobike.org so that we can include them in our response.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive cycle lanes, closes 15 November

Work on the proposals initiated by local businesses was unfortunately postponed when concerns were raised about the initial proposals for Byres Road, but GoBike received this email on 18 October:

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

Dear Sir or Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (QUEEN MARGARET DRIVE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant plan (drawing 5126-001 A), statement of reasons and detailed report.

A copy of the draft order, the plan, statement of reasons and report for proposing to make the order are available for inspection at the following locations:

·        Reception, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX

·        Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8AP

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, Exchange House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or to Christine Francis by e-mail, to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 15 November 2019.

Yours faithfully

Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability”

The documents mentioned in the email are here: copy of the draft order, the plan, the statement of reasons and the report.

We have already, 28 October, submitted a clear GoBike response , written by Calum, but the main proposals, from the City Council, which you might wish to read before you read the GoBike view are given in the report and are repeated here:

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

1. Removal of parking and extension of the existing ‘No waiting, no loading at any time’ restrictions on the West kerbline of Queen Margaret Drive between Clouston Street and Kelbourne Street.
2. Proposed segregated two-way cycleway on West footway of Queen Margaret Drive between Hamilton Drive and the existing bus stop located approximately 175m north of Hotspur Street.
3. Existing bus stops to be retained.
4. Existing loading bays to be retained.
5. Existing taxi rank, on East kerbline of Queen Margaret Drive, to be retained.
6. Removal of the existing bus lane on Queen Margaret drive from a point approximately 40m North of Kelbourne Street for a distance of approximately 220m north to accommodate a two-way segregated cycleway. “

While the proposals will improve things for people cycling on Queen Margaret Drive, we have found that issues we have highlighted on other schemes are repeated here. This is worrying but we have made clear our concerns in our submission.

1. 8 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – A81 Milngavie Road & A81 Maryhill Road Redetermination of passage to be by Pedal Cycle and foot only, closes 02 December

Here’s the email that we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 23 October:

“The East Dunbartonshire Council (A81 Milngavie Road and A81 Maryhill Road, Bearsden)(Redetermination Of Means Of Passage To Be By Pedal Cycle And Foot Only) Order.

The Council is promoting the above mentioned Traffic Regulation Order. Enclosed is a copy of the draft Order together with a copy of the plan indicating the locations of the footways and Statement of Reasons for the proposal. Also enclosed is a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald that is published on 1st November 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 2 December 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. (See attached file: 191022 Draft Redetermination Order Cluny Park area.pdf)

Regards,
Fiona Stirling, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ”

Here’s a further copy of the document from East Dunbartonshire Council, which includes a copy of the plan and the redetermination proposal.

This proposal is very near to the area where GoBike has supported the earlier proposal, see Digest 45, Item 1.2, to introduce parking and loading restrictions at the south end of Rannoch Drive.
It appears to be a move to ameliorate potential collisions and near misses at the junction of the A81 and the Switchback, by allowing people to cycle on the footway. It would have been better all round if the extension south of the Bears Way had been built.
GoBike will be submitting a response but if you do have views please get them to us, by emailing consultations@gobike.org

1.9 **NEW** Law Commission Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS, public consultation, closes 16 January 2020

Here’s an interesting email that we received on 16 October from the UK Law Commission:

“Dear All,

We are pleased to announce the publication of the second consultation paper in our three-year review of the UK’s regulatory framework for automated vehicles. This launches a three-month public consultation.

This paper looks at the regulation of self-driving vehicles which could travel empty or only with passengers, without a human driver or user-in-charge. We focus on self-driving vehicles providing mobility services to the public, which we refer to as Highly Automated Road Passenger Services, HARPS. Today’s paper builds on the work in our first consultation on safety assurance and allocating legal responsibility.

We invite you to respond to the paper by 16 January 2020. We have set up an online portal for submitting responses but welcome input in any format. If you have ideas for consultation events or would like a meeting please get in touch.

The consultation paper, summary and details for 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

Automated Vehicles | Law Commission | Public Law Team
1st Floor, Tower, Post Point 1.54, 52 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AG“

We weren’t too impressed with the first consultation on this topic, see Digest 27, Item 1.1
The banner picture above is from their email so they do acknowledge that these driverless vehicles will be operating near people walking or cycling. We’ll be conferring with other organisations as to their views, but if you have any do let us know.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 East Dunbartonshire, Draft Local Transport Strategy, public consultation TOMORROW, 30 October

This event, tomorrow, mentioned also in Item 1.6 above, is the last in a series of public meetings about the Local Transport Strategy:

Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre – Wednesday 30 October – 3pm-7pm

Do please get there if you can.

2.2 Glasgow, University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting, 15 November – plus more disruption on University Avenue!

GoBike member, Derek M, told us about this meeting that might just be of interest? Here’s the email he forwarded to us:

“From: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Date: 22 October 2019 at 12:50:48 BST
To: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Subject:University of Glasgow Campus Development Programme – public meeting

The University of Glasgow will hold a public meeting on Wednesday 13 November to update about progress on its Campus Development Programme.

The event will be held in the Wolfson Medical Building (Gannochy Room), from 18:30 – 20:00. You can register to attend through Eventbrite.

The meeting is open to the public and will focus on the ongoing and upcoming work taking place on the Gilmorehill campus, particularly on the site of the former Western Infirmary.

The agenda includes presentations from University project managers, as well as construction partners.

We intend to update on the following areas, however there will also be the opportunity for questions.

1. Infrastructure on University Avenue, University Place, and future demolitions along Church Street;
2. Construction update for the James McCune Smith Learning Hub and the Research Hub;
3. Overview of planning and final design for the Clarice Pears Building (Institute of Health & Wellbeing);
4. Planning and anticipated programme for the Adam Smith Business School and landscaping for the Southern Gateway;
5. A look inside the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, the Research Hub, including community facilities;
6. Community benefits;
7. Q&A.

Due to a busy agenda, please note the event will start at 18:30 prompt. Refreshments are available in the Atrium of the Wolfson Medical School Building from 18:00.

Tickets are not required, however attendees are encouraged to register, so that we have an indication of numbers. 

For those who have attended these meeting before, the Gannochy Room is next to the lecture theatre where the sessions are usually held.

Please direct queries to campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk“

Item 1 could keep the discussion going for quite a while! Do get along if you are studying or working at the university or if you have been involved in the campaign for good cycle infrastructure on University Avenue.

PLUS, just in case you don’t find negotiating University Avenue traumatic enough, here’s news of services works, that we received on 26 October:

“I’m writing to let you know we will shortly be starting our project to upgrade the gas network in University Avenue, Glasgow. This essential work involves the replacement of old, metal gas mains with new plastic pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply.
Following discussions with Glasgow City Council our project will start on Monday 4 November and last approximately ten weeks. We’ll be carrying out the work over two phases to help minimise disruption.

Each phase is described below.

Phase one – approximately five weeks
On Monday 4 November, we’ll begin working in University Avenue between Kelvin Way and Hillhead Street. During this phase, most of our work will be taking place on the footpath however, cycle lanes may be closed to allow pedestrian access.

Phase two – approximately five weeks
From Monday 6 January 2020, we’ll be working in University Avenue between Hillhead Street and University Gardens. During this phase, we’ll also be installing temporary three-way traffic lights in University Avenue at its junction with Hillhead Street. The lights will be manually controlled during peak hours to help minimise inconvenience as much as possible.We’ll be posting regular updates on our website https://one.network/?112401221 and using social media and traffic bulletins to keep residents and motorists informed.
Please feel free to share this information with your stakeholders and anyone else who may be impacted by our work.

one.networkone.networkOne platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.”

No mention of temporary cycle lanes or cycle phases in the temporary traffic lights, but good that they will be keeping “motorists informed”!

If you attend the event on the 15th, you might wish to ask about this?

2.3 Glasgow, Skirving Street and Deanston Drive, place-making, 21 November

GoBike member, Alasdair, has told us about this Sustrans event to be held in Shawlands:

Consultation Feedback

3.1 East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue

GoBike supported moves to prohibit parking and loading around the car showrooms in this area, see our last Digest, Issue 45, Item 1.2 and we have now received this acknowledgement from East Dunbartonshire Council:

“Good morning Tricia
Thank you for responding. A copy of your email with attached letter has been forwarded to the Council’s Roads and Transportation.
Regards Fiona Stirling, Legal Services“

This now appears to be part of moves to improve active travel in this part of Bearsden – see also Item 1.8 above.

3.2 North Lanarkshire, Work to start on Horsley Brae junction improvements

GoBike gets very little information from North Lanarkshire but we doubt that the forthcoming changes to this area make an improvement for cycling. They will certainly speed up northbound through traffic and extend the potential conflict with merging motor traffic southbound. Read on for the message we received on 21 October:

“Work to start at Horsley Brae junction

Work starts from today (21 October) on improvements to the road layout at the A71 Horsley Brae junction with the B7011 Brownlee Road.

North and South Lanarkshire Councils and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) are investing a total of £1.6 million in the project which aims to reduce congestion at the busy junction.

The A71 will be widened to create a right-turn lane northbound, for traffic turning on to Brownlee Road, and a merging lane for traffic travelling south on Brownlee Road and joining the A71.

A contractor JH Civil Engineering Ltd has been appointed to carry out the work, which is expected to take approximately 26 weeks.

Traffic management will be used to allow vehicles to continue using the A71 during the majority of the works, however during certain phases of the proposed works, it is expected that road closures will be necessary. The most effcieint diversion routes will be advised in advance of the closure.

“This is a very busy junction particularly at morning and evening peak times, with traffic queuing to turn right which leads to delays and congestion back to the Garrion Bridge roundabout,” said Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee.

“By creating a right-turn lane with capacity for approximately 14 cars, we will reduce the queue of northbound cars while the southbound merging lane will improve traffic flow away from the junction.

“Improvements will also be made to pedestrian routes across the junction to make the popular Clyde walkway safer.

“We appreciate that the roadworks will cause delays over the coming months but, when complete, we will see significant improvements in traffic flow and road safety for drivers and pedestrians.”

Information about the project will be on the web site and updates posted on Facebook and Twitter @nlcpeople.

SPT are investing £800,000 in the project with both councils contributing £400,000 each.”

No mention of people cycling there and probably no allowance will be made for bikes during the works – although we live in hope – so do take care if you are out and about in this area.

3.3 Scotland’s National Transport Strategy consultation: GoBike submission

This consultation closed on 23 October – details have been in our last few Digests – and our well-considered submission was sent in on 21 October. Here it is, and we are very grateful to Brenda for giving it so much thought and investigation.

And we received this automatic reply:

“Thank you for submitting your response to the draft National Transport Strategy consultation.  An analysis of all responses will be carried out to allow us to shape the Strategy and help us all to achieve better outcomes for Scotland’s citizens, communities and businesses.  The results of the consultation will be published on the Transport Scotland website by the end of 2019.  Once published, you will be notified by email and an update on the next stage will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact  NTS2@transport.gov.scot“

3.4 Glasgow, Planning Application for 48 homes, Beith Street, Partick

GoBike joined many others in opposing a residential development in the green space between Beith Street and the Expressway. Our objection was published in Digest 42, Item 3.6 and we have now been sent this message, dated 23 October:

“Dear Sir/Madam

I refer to representations made by you regarding the above application for Planning Permission.

I am writing to advise you that Glasgow Planning Local Review Committee has received a request to review the decision taken by the Appointed Officer under delegated powers.

The Committee will take into account your previous representations during its deliberations. Any further representations you wish to make on the review should be submitted to the address below within 14 days of the date of this letter, quoting the review reference number. A copy of the representations will be sent to the applicant for comment.

Planning Local Review Committee
Development & Regeneration Services
231 George Street
Glasgow, G1 1RX
E-mail: onlineplanning@glasgow.gov.uk 

A review of the case by virtue of Section 43A(8) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) will be conducted by the Council’s Planning Local Review Committee. Details of the date, time and place of the meeting will be forwarded to you as soon as possible after all the relevant information has been received. At that meeting, the Planning Local Review Committee will consider if the review documents provide sufficient information to enable it to determine the review and may determine the review without further procedure.

However, the Committee may determine that the review is to be conducted by one of, or a combination of the following:-

• by means of written submissions
  • by the holding of one or more hearing sessions; and
  • by means of an inspection of the land to which the review relates

If the Committee decide to hold a hearing you will be contacted again and given the opportunity to attend.

All the documentation relating to the review is available to view online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/onlineplanning.

Please note that parties to a review will be expected to meet their own administration costs.“

Let’s hope that in the face of well over 100 objections that this is the end of the road for such an anti-active-travel proposal that would destroy green space and bring more motor vehicles to this residential street.

3.5 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.54

We received East Dunbartonshire’s LDP Newsletter 54 on 17 October with this explanatory email:

“Please find attached the latest newsletter from East Dunbartonshire Council’s Land Planning Policy team. This edition includes details of the following:
Local Development Plan 2 ‘Main Issues Report’ consultation
Draft Local Transport Strategy consultation “

3.6 Glasgow, Winter Gritting Arrangements, now to include some cycle lanes

GoBike’s co-Convenor, John, has been involved in discussions about the gritting of cycle lanes and now GoBike members, Derek M and Alasdair, have sent this link to the arrangements for this coming winter:

https://glasgowgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=d383df28e39d48b294e66826d2c1456d

Do take care, though, when you are out and about.

3.7 Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme

In Digest 45, Item 3.2 we published the reply sent by Glasgow City Council to our concerns about the proposed traffic calming scheme for Glencairn Drive near Maxwell Park, along with our response.
On 28 October this further reply was received, showing absolutely no acknowledgement of the concern that there appeared to be a mistake on one of their drawings!

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

Dear Ms Fort

Thank you for your undernoted e-mail, I can advise that your comments will be taken on board for future proposals.

As previously advised, the responsibility for the installation of speed cameras lies with Safety Cameras Scotland, who have their own criteria for the installation of speed cameras, which is stricter than our criteria for the installation of traffic calming.

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

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

From: Tricia Fort [mailto:consultations@gobike.org]
Sent: 11 October 2019 16:04
To: Mailroom, Land Services (NS) <LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk>
Subject: Re: FW: The Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme – Mail id no 393585

Dear Mr Brady,

Thank you for replying to our letter of 17 September and your response to some of the points made therein. For your reference I attach one of the drawings issued as part of this TRO, which clearly shows a gap of 0.55m between cushion and kerb. The GoBike response was based on this drawing. Will you please issue the correct version of the drawing?

I also attach a screenshot showing a view of the road that shows the setts in the gutter, which do not form an acceptable cycling surface. However, I note your comment about the space between the middle cushions and we have to hope that people will be confident enough to use this gap when they are cycling on this road.

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

We maintain our support for the reduction of dangerous speeds but object to the proposed method of achieving your aims at this location.

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

A telephone call to the City Council has elicited the information that the drawing issued, with the critical dimension shown above, was incorrect, but who knows what the final as-built arrangement will be?

Almost world-wide news in this edition, but we hope you have found it of interest.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement, closes 08 March
2. Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, proposed one-way operation, closes 08 March
3. Transport Scotland A830 Shlatach Road over Rail Bridge, Glenfinnan, reconstruction, closes 14 March
4. Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes 20 March
5. **NEW** Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April
6. North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation event 19 March 2019
2. Glasgow Byres Road Design Workshop, now postponed from 06 to 21 March
3. Renfrewshire, cycle lane from Renfrew to the Glasgow boundary at Shieldhall, who knows when?
4. Lanarkshire, South and North – sounding positive

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Woodlands Phase 2 Consultation closed 03 March, GoBike response
2. GoBike monthly ride 03 March including a trip along the cycle facilities leading to the Knightswood BMX track.
3. Glasgow City Council (Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road) Traffic Calming Scheme 2018
4. Glasgow, University Avenue
5. East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan newsletter 50
6. Glasgow Sauchiehall Street and Elmbank Street one-way, Community Council meeting

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement, closes 08 March

Do please support this proposal, which was featured in Digest 28, Item 1.3 and brings in some parking restrictions in the city centre, some amendments to taxi ranks and 7-day parking charges – all in the hope that motor traffic will flow better and people will try out the bus or the subway to get into town, or even walk or get on their bike. The City Council’s report is here and here’s a map of the area to be affected.

Here’s the letter of support that GoBike submitted last week.

1.2 Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, proposed one-way operation, closes 08 March

Here is the Press Notice for these proposals, which were featured in our last Digest as Item 1.4. The city council is apparently concerned that two-way operation and parking at junctions is causing concern, not only for the motor traffic, but for pedestrians trying to cross the roads. GoBike is concerned that one-way motor traffic, with no opposing traffic, will tend to travel faster, that parking at junctions is already not allowed within the Highway Code and that absolutely no consideration has been given to active travel. Drumchapel is an area of the city with very low car ownership and no cycle facilities.
The GoBike letter of Objection to the proposals is here.

1.3 Transport Scotland A830 Shlatach Road over Rail Bridge, Glenfinnan, reconstruction, closes 14 March

This consultation for works well out with the area normally considered by GoBike was Item 1.5 in our last Digest, Digest 28 and we have responded with this letter. We thought it worth responding on the grounds that some of us might get this far away on our hols.

1.4 Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes 20 March

We featured this welcome survey last time too, Item 1.6 in Digest 28. If you haven’t already completed it, please do – it’s really quick and easy. Here’s the link to the survey.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April

Glasgow City Council have published a draft District Regeneration Framework for the Broomielaw District – the link is here. Interestingly, the area covered is both north and south of the Clyde and the main document includes the following statements:

“The aim of this project is to promote the riverside boulevard, first and foremost, as a continuous pedestrian promenade, rather than as a busy car road.

• The amount of space taken by cars should be reduced to allow more space for separate bike lanes, wide pedestrian footways with enough space for external cafe/bar terraces and trees.
• Through car traffic along the riverside (other than local access) should be discouraged with a nett reduction of car trips along the river. This should be part of a larger review of the city centre car circulation.
• Road carriageway width should be reduced (currently dualled two way traffic with filter lanes) and design speeds reduced through passive street design measures. Centre
• Fastlink bus lane exacerbates severance along the quays. It should be reviewed and adjusted / integrated into the reduced carriageway layout. (GoBike emphasis)
• Crossing points should be located on natural ‘desire-lines’ straight, wider and safer and clearly indicate pedestrian and cyclist priority over cars. (GoBike emphasis)
• North-South streets should be connected to the quay roads from both North and South banks of the river with special attention to improving pedestrian and cycle access and connections at existing bridge crossings.”

This all seems quite promising and well in-tune with pronouncements from GoBike, so you might want to have a look at either the full document or the summary and complete the survey. GoBike committee member, Brenda, is reviewing the document and we are hopeful that her final summary will confirm the nirvana promised by the above extract!

1.6 North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April

Folk in North Lanarkshire have been very quiet on this – please let us know if you have any views you’d want us to back on this! Here’s the flyer we published two weeks ago:

Information on the Modified Proposed Plan is here and the Local Development Plan Modified Proposal Plan is here – there might just be a prize for the first person who can find a mention of active travel or even public transport in the documents. But do please have a look at them!

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation event 19 March 2019

GoBike received this email on 28 February:

“Hello,
Over the past few months, we have asked for your opinion on various ways to improve the centre of Battlefield and Battlefield Road and have listened carefully to all that you’ve had to say, whether that be at events, meetings or online. So far, your views have helped shape our thinking and have guided us to create the first draft of the concept designs.
We’d now like to invite you to feedback on these designs and help shape the proposals going forward.
From the 18^th March until the 12^th April the design proposals will be available for public feedback when you can:

• Visit the website battlefieldproposals.commonplace.is to leave your comments
• View the designs at Langside Library or Langside Parish Church and complete a feedback form
• Attend the drop-in event at Langside Library on Tuesday 19 March between 3pm – 8pm to view the designs in detail, ask any questions and meet the team. Presentations will be held at 5pm and 7pm and refreshments are available throughout. Please find the Facebook event here and share with anyone else who lives, works or travels in the area.

I’ve also attached a poster for the consultation period if you are able to share it or put one up at your local community group, noticeboard, church, school etc.
To find out more about the project as well as other opportunities to get involved please visit our project website where you can subscribe for updates on the ‘News’ page: https://battlefield.commonplace.is/news

If you have any questions at all or would like further details on the project please don’t hesitate to contact me on my details below.
Best wishes

Community Engagement Officer | Street Design
Sustrans Scotland

Do get along to the event if you can, particularly if you live, work or travel in the area. GoBike has been involved in the working group meetings along with the local Community Council and other people and groups from Battlefield and this does all look promising from an active travel and neighbourhood – building point of view.

2.2 Glasgow Byres Road Design Workshop, now postponed from 06 to 21 March

We are somewhat concerned – on 20th December last year, four people from GoBike and Space for People Byres Road attended a meeting with Glasgow City Council and Sustrans, at which we were given the good news that it is feasible to have segregated cycle lanes on Byres Road. In addition, we were told that the design would be completed by the end of January and the Traffic Regulation Order issued soon after. We reported this in Digest 25, Items 2.2 and 3.4.

As we still await the TRO, we were, in February, invited to a workshop with other stakeholders, to be held on 06 March and the four of us made arrangements to attend. Then, on 27 February we were told that the event has been postponed to 21 February. Why? “ The date has been revised in order to maximise attendance from key stakeholder groups” the email invitation informed us. This date is not suitable for at least three people from the active travel community that we are aware of – could there possibly be more influential stakeholder groups than those who represent people who cycle?! We hope to have an update for you in our next-but-one Digest, due out on 02 April.

2.3 Renfrewshire, cycle lane from Renfrew to the Glasgow boundary at Shieldhall, who knows when?

So, who does know what is happening (see here)? It was all very frantic with the consultation events in Renfrew that we previously advertised on, then off, on and finally off. We know that some local councillors had been using their Facebook comments (which are never usually a great indication of balanced or informed opinion) as evidence that the proposed cycle lanes were “not wanted”. And they appear to have won the upper hand for now, the council stating that “further to initial consultation” the public information events will be rescheduled. Being that the actual consultation events were cancelled, and so the “initial consultation” hadn’t actually happened yet, we can only assume that they had been strong armed into cancelling by the councillors.

John, our Co-Convenor, called into the Tuesday consultation venue on his way home from work. Staff were there just in case people hadn’t heard of the cancellation. John, and another GoBike member, who also called in, were told that comments on the Commonplace map will be taken into account when the project is reconsidered. Unfortunately the survey is now closed, so the bikelash group might currently have the upper hand. Let’s hope that local councillors start to toe their party line on active travel, that sense does eventually prevail and we do get cycle lanes here.

2.4 Lanarkshire, South and North – sounding positive

News in from GoBike member, Derek Y, who attends the South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership meetings. Lots is being discussed but, like the map mentioned below, not yet being made public. We await more definite news but it’s looking like progress:

“Map from Hamilton Active Travel presentation to SLCP. ‘High level’ overview of primary routes and ‘local links’. Not much detail about what form these would take but the consultant said most primary routes would be segregated off road. Local links may be like ‘quiet ways’ but not sure. It is progress but I was disappointed by lack of primary route in south of Hamilton.

Networks also in the pipeline for East Kilbride and Rutherglen/Cambuslang. East Kilbride active travel will be considered at a workshop this week.

More news to follow about a promising route in North Lanarkshire. Between North and South there’s quite a lot going on in Lanarkshire all of a sudden. I’d guess that increase in national funding is having an effect?”

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Woodlands Phase 2 Consultation closed 03 March, GoBike response

Many GoBike members attended the two consultation events, looked at the proposals, spoke to staff, commented on-line and voiced their views on GoBike’s Slack workspace. From all of this we have developed and submitted this letter detailing our general welcome of the scheme but also voicing our concern about various points. Of particular concern is the hazardous road layout between St George’s Road and Sauchiehall Street, partly shown in this photograph.

Thanks to our member for their helpful input on this – more of that please!

3.2 GoBike monthly ride 03 March including a trip along the cycle facilities leading to the Knightswood BMX track.

Sunday’s GoBike ride was a delightful tour through the West End, up to Duntocher, down to Old Kilpatrick and out as far as Bowling, before heading back along the canal and cycle track to see the cycle-facility-free developments at Clydebank around the West Scotland College and new Leisure Centre. Next, a major attraction of the ride was riding the route to the new BMX park, constructed for the European Championships last year.

What a mish-mash this is with good quality segregated bi-directional cycle lanes, sub-standard bi-directional cycle lanes, all desperately needing to be brushed, shared footways of varying widths, painted-on cycle lanes with parking encroaching on the buffer zone, but at least the give-way and stop lines were either side of the cycle lanes. All, sadly, in line with the letters GoBike sent in at the time of the Traffic Regulation Orders back in 2017, see this letter about the segregated sections of the route and this letter about the footway redetermination. Unfortunately, there was pressure of time to get cycle facilities complete before the Games and GoBike was invited in to meet City Council staff in January 2018 and reluctantly we agreed to withdraw our concerns particularly about the shared footway section. Here’s the letter we submitted.

3.3 Glasgow City Council (Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road) Traffic Calming Scheme 2018

GoBike replied to the consultation on this proposed traffic calming scheme with this letter, which we published in Consultation Digest 25.

We have now received this disappointing response from the City Council:

“Thank you for your letter of 3 January 2019 regarding the traffic calming proposals for Maxwell Drive and Bruce Road, and I apologise for the delay of this response.

I note the points and suggestions you make and would assure you that when changes are made to the road network by Glasgow City Council, we seek to incorporate improvements for cyclists. However, this is not always possible and with respect to these proposals, the funding is not available to amend the layout to reflect your suggestions.     
By way of background, following receipt of the notification email of 14^th December 2018 about these proposed measures, officers were requested to attend February’s Pollokshields Community Council meeting to talk through the proposals, hence the delay of this response.

I trust that the foregoing clarifies the matter. If, however, you require any further information, please contact (details removed by GoBike)

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

Good that Pollokshields Community Council were involved. We are aware that they want a prompt response to the “boy racers” who drive at ridiculous speeds on some of our streets, and we are also aware that Glasgow City Council have a standard response when it comes to traffic calming and, guess what? It’s the installation of (funded) speed tables.

3.4 Glasgow, University Avenue

Since our last digest we have had a response from the University of Glasgow, who maintain that their plans make the street safer for cycling while continuing to avoid answering our questions, and who reiterate that the work will go ahead as planned. Read the full letter here.

Co-convenor Iona has responded to let them know that:

Our first focus on all of our campaigns is also safety, and that of all users of place, which is why University Avenue is bringing us such concern. Unfortunately we do not accept that the primary concern within your plans is the safety of everyone using University Avenue, or that University Avenue will be safer for all, as the safety of people using (or wishing to use) cycling for transport will remain unguarded. The plans for University Avenue do not account for the safety of staff and students arriving by bike, nor that of people travelling through the area. Cycling is, and will remain a dangerous activity on University Avenue.

Of course we welcome the needed improvements for pedestrians, and would always expect those to be first priority, but actually the planned prioritisation for University Avenue has put the private car and public transport above pedestrians, and those above cycling. This is directly contrary to the national transport hierarchy and your own active travel strategies. It is also worth noting that while the majority of users of the street are currently pedestrians, should safety conditions improve for cycling, a university campus would see a large uptake in people using bikes to travel to and through the campus. You can install state of the art cycle parking on campus but for as long as there is no safe cycling infrastructure to reach campus, active travel rates will remain low.

We have had numerous students and staff from the University contacting us to let us know that they were not consulted on your plans. We don’t see any public consultation process detailed online, and we know that Sustrans, the main sustainable transport organisation for Scotland were also unaware of your plans. Although a couple of our questions were answered at the meeting and we’ve been provided with info on another, we still have a number of questions outstanding as those remaining unscored below:

1. Is Glasgow University carrying out the work On University Avenue by way of Planning Gain? No
2. Did Glasgow City Council advise what was required for the road design? (Questions 3-5 assume Yes to this question)
3. What date the council informed you of requirements?
4. Was this advice either in writing or by reference to Planning Guidelines?
5. Which department and officer provide this guidance?
6. What are the current traffic levels on University Avenue?
7. What traffic reduction level are the University looking for?
8. What quantitative research has been carried out on cycle traffic on University Avenue? Could this be shared with us?
9. Does the University have a target for growth in cycling and what is this?  37% of staff and students at Glasgow University have said they would cycle more if there were safer routes. The University has targets of reducing drive commutes from 27% (2015) to 15% by 2025 and to increase cycling to 15% by 2025.
10. When will the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Public Notice for University Avenue be published? Sitting with council
11. Could you please share the scope and timescale of the public consultation on University Avenue, including details of: who was notified about any events; any surveys carried out; if any online consultation was held.
12. Which independent active travel organisations were consulted?

We know that there is space to account for the safety of all users of University Avenue, including people on bikes. To retrofit would compromise an ideal design and so we hope to hear from you very soon.”

We continue to push on University Avenue and are still trying to find out how these plans could have been passed by the council. Since our last digest, we have had messages of support for our campaign for better active travel provision on the street from Sustrans, who have been surprised to hear that segregated lanes are not a part of the proposals, and from Patrick Grady MSP (SNP) and Patrick Harvie MSP (Greens) who have both spoken with the university and continue to look for answers from the council. There has been mention of retrofitting soft segregation on the lanes but as this solution is only temporary and would still be on only one side of the street, on lanes that are too narrow, and disappear to throw cyclists out into unprotected traffic at the top of the hill, we continue to push for proper safe space for cycling on the important network link, and keep our eyes peeled for the TRO. Keep up to date with the campaign here.

3.5 East Dunbartonshire Council, Local Development Plan newsletter 50

Received on 01 March, East Dunbartonshire’s latest LDP newsletter, giving us the news that over 200 responses (including 1 from GoBike) were submitted to the Local Transport Strategy consultation. Quite a bit of news for EDC residents, and others, in this newsletter.

3.6 Glasgow Sauchiehall Street and Elmbank Street one-way, Community Council meeting

As reported in Digest 28, Item 3.4, John and Tricia attended the February meeting of the Blythswood and Broomielaw Community Council 2 weeks ago. We explained our concern about the change in the northern part of Elmbank Street becoming one-way southbound and the Community Council members and the two City Councillors who attended were very sympathetic to the issue. Two members of the Community Council had already been out and looked at our concern about a legal cycle route from Charing Cross and the King’s Theatre to Sauchiehall Street, and the Community Council agreed to write to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability . They were supported in that by Councillor Christy Mearns and Bailie Philip Braat, who has since sent us this message:

” Many thanks for copying us into your email correspondence about about the cycling issue at Elmbank Street. Christy and I will support as best as we can.
Best wishes
Philip

Bailie Philip Braat
Depute Lord Provost”

So, at last, two years since we first raised this concern, we have a glimmer of hope!

And with that good news, we’ll let you get on and enjoy whatever you are doing next.