This Digest is dominated by consultations for East Renfrewshire. (The last issue should have included some of them too – apologies.) Five area consultations use Commonplace maps, similar to Glasgow’s Liveable Neighbourhoods (one of which is still open). Other East Ren projects are for a section of Ayr Rd (A77) and supporting documents for the council’s Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2). It’s almost as if ERC have some new active travel staff…

Elsewhere, Inverclyde still have a survey open on a Spaces for People route. Also, a consultation is due to open in June about a gap site by the Clyde…

Forthcoming consultations

Anderston Quay/City Wharf

16 June – ‘live chat’ consultation
Anderston Quay is a derelict site, west of the Kingston Bridge by the Clyde. According to Re:Glasgow, revised plans for flats and public realm are due soon. Apparently, the proposals will go public from Wednesday 15 June, with a live chat online on 16 June, at the website www.citywharfglasgow.info (consultation deadline: Friday 8 July 2022). 

Contents
(new/updated items in bold – link jumps to article)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods
2. Barrhead Consultation Map
3. Busby Consultation Map
4. Neilston Consultation Map
5. Newton Mearns Consultation Map
6. Thornliebank Consultation Map
7. A77 Active Corridor (Ayr Road)
8. LDP2 – Supplementary Guidance Consultation (ERC)
9. Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

1. GHA Parking Areas – City Centre Traffic Management Order
2. Glasgow Low Emission Zone
3. Clydesdale STAG – Part 2 Appraisal
4. SWG3 venue – bike parking

1: Current Consultations
(in date order for responses)

1.1: Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: From Yorkhill, Kelvinhaugh, Stobcross, Sandyford, Finnieston to Anderston.
Subject: This Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation covers the area between the River Clyde, River Kelvin, Kelvingrove Park and M8. It includes NCN7/75, West City Way and the City Deal lanes on Bunhouse Rd and Old Dumbarton Rd. Also, cycletracks are due for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village including Minerva St and Haugh Rd (at Bike for Good‘s West hub). A new bridge across the Clyde at the Riverside Museum has finally started construction. Meanwhile, the SEC’s redevelopment may close off the red ‘smartie tube’ bridge at Exhibition Centre station. The M8 motorway hems in destinations like the Mitchell Library and Anderston station.
First featured: Digest 107, Item 1.11.
Website links: Yorkhill to Anderston LN (Commonplace).
Deadline: June 2022.

1.2: Barrhead Consultation Map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Part of the East Renfrewshire Programme of consultations “about the changes and improvements you would like to see made to spaces, buildings and facilities so we can start to plan future projects.” Each town already had its own colourful branding with a local landmark or two. Barrhead’s has Dams to Darnley Country Park at the edge of Glasgow City boundary. It’s a popular greenspace where Aurs Rd is due to be re-aligned to add a walking and cycling route. Also, there’s an image of Barrhead Museum (former Burgh Hall) on Main St. The street has shops down one side but may have space for protected cycle lanes on the other (but it doesn’t seem to have come up so far). Most comments on the Commonplace map focus on the town centre and southern neighbourhoods.
Website links: Barrhead Commonplace map.
Deadline: 20 June 2022.

1.3: Busby Consultation Map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Part of the East Renfrewshire Programme. Busby’s landmark is its library in Duff Memorial Hall on Main St. It’s a smaller place, across the White Cart Water from Clarkston and just over a mile outside East Kilbride. Nearby rural areas have some popular cycle routes, including Carmunnock. Some of the comments on the map are about road safety issues around Main St/East Kilbride Rd.
Website links: Busby Commonplace map.
Deadline: 20 June 2022.

1.4: Neilston Consultation Map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Part of the East Renfrewshire Programme. Neilston is represented by an image of Neilston Pad, a hill south of the village. While the consultation covers a larger rural area, most comments focus on the centre of the village.
Website links: Neilston Commonplace map.
Deadline: 20 June 2022.

1.5: Newton Mearns Consultation Map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Part of the East Renfrewshire Programme. Newton Mearns has both Mearns Castle and Mearns Kirk as symbols. It’s one of the bigger suburban towns but lacks rail services so is even more car-focused. It has the A77 Ayr Rd running through it and attracting many comments on the map (see later item on A77, below). Other main roads have clusters of comments as well as its links to Dams to Darnley Country Park (from the other end of Aurs Rd – planning application for re-aligned road/active travel path).
Website links: Newton Mearns Commonplace map.
Deadline: 20 June 2022.

1.6: Thornliebank Consultation Map

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: Part of the East Renfrewshire Programme. Thornliebank is next to Rouken Glen Park so borrows the Boathouse and waterfall for its identity. It’s also next to Giffnock and right at the edge of the Glasgow City boundary. Although it has a station going to Glasgow, its roads and paths are slightly cut off by the railway line and Auldhouse Burn. Most comments are around its Main St. A previous charette called Transforming Thornliebank is mentioned as a template that wasn’t followed up.
Website links: Thornliebank Commonplace map.
Deadline: 20 June 2022.

1.7: A77 Active Corridor (Ayr Road)

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Area: A77 west of Newton Mearns.
Subject: Phase 1 of this project extended a shared path from the M77 overpass past Malletsheugh Rd (site of at least one car crash, as seen on StreetView). Phase 2 would add a toucan crossing then 1-way lanes for about a quarter of a mile towards Newton Mearns (removing a central reservation – see visual in main image, at top of page). Also, proposals would convert a roundabout to a protected junction with traffic lights. This would be one of the first of this kind of protected junction in a Scottish town. As with previous consultations on Ayr Rd, the comments are polarised between road safety/active travel and convenience for driving/stereotypes about cycling. The new Williamwood Cycle Lane Campaign have asked people to support the proposals.
First featured: Digest 97, Item 1.7.
Website links: A77 Active Corridor consultation.
Deadline: 30 June 2022.

1.8: LDP2 – Supplementary Guidance Consultation (ERC)

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Subject: ERC is reviewing Supplementary Guidance documents to go with its Local Development Plan 2. They say: “Supplementary Guidance provides further detail about the policies and proposals of the LDP2 and forms a statutory part of the Adopted plan. There are 3 statutory Supplementary Guidance documents on which we are consulting, these are: Affordable Housing; Green Network; and Development Contributions.” The latter can include housebuilders creating paths to join existing networks. Stronger policy could mean improved links to new developments. There’s also a Householder Design Guide coming out separately to LDP2.
First featured: Digest 47, Item 1.5 (further detail in Digest 48, Item 1.4).
Website links: Supplementary Guidance Consultation (near foot of page).
Deadline: 20 July 2022.

1.9: Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Council: Inverclyde.
Subject: A Spaces for People temporary route between Greenock town centre and a coastal park. A council vote was 9:2 in favour of keeping the lanes for another six months, with a further review in September. Photos in the consultation survey show a mixture of on-road ‘soft’ segregation and painted lanes on footways and across side roads. While some of the junction and bus stop treatments may not be ideal, there seem to be decent protected sections too.
Website links: Greenock Town Centre to Battery Park – Community Engagement and Inverclyde Now article on council vote.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: GHA Parking Areas – City Centre Traffic Management Order

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: Townhead – side streets off Kennedy St and St Mungo Ave.
Subject: Glasgow City Council (City Centre) (Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No.29 – GHA Parking Areas) Order 2022. In other words, parking restrictions for parts of Townhead. We had an email from the Head of Roads: “I am writing to notify you that the above named Traffic Regulation Order was made on 12 May 2022 which would introduce no waiting/no loading at anytime restrictions within the GHA parking areas. There was a change to proposals: Removal of loading restrictions on Dobbies Loan Place at its eastern point behind the shop premises to allow for loading to take place.”
Last featured: Digest 91, Item 1.1.
Website links: Final GHA parking areas plan (PDF).

2.2: Glasgow Low Emission Zone

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: Most of the city centre between the river and M8.
Subject: Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone came into effect on 31 May 2022. However, no enforcement will start until 1 June 2023 (or 1 June 2024 for vehicles registered to a residential property within the LEZ area). The final report says most objections to the LEZ came from the taxi trade, where hundreds of vehicles don’t meet the emissions standard. It remains to be seen how many vehicles will be upgraded over the next year.
Last featured: Digest 104, Item 1.1.
Website links: Final LEZ plans (PDF) and LEZ letter (PDF).

2.3: Clydesdale STAG – Part 2 Appraisal

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Area: Clyde Valley including rural towns and villages like Lanark, Carluke, Law, Biggar, Symington and Carstairs.
Subject: Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) is a formal process looking at road, rail and active travel improvements in an area. Clydesdale, like other rural areas, has had cuts to bus and train services, lacks a network of safe paths and has higher car ownership. Part 2 follows the Pre-appraisal (2017) and Part 1 Appraisal (2019). Active Travel Infrastructure is one of the options in the appraisal report, like links between Carluke and Lanark. Other proposals include reinstating rail links/stations, bus improvements, park & ride, etc. The next step of a final report with recommendations will have to wait until “funding becomes available.”
Website links: Clydesdale STAG article and Clydesdale STAG Appraisal reports.

2.4: SWG3 venue – bike parking

Organisation: SWG3 venue.
Area: Eastvale Place (at end of Kelvinhaugh St) between the railway lines.
Subject: Since the last issue, SWG3 replied to a tweet about their transport survey. Talking about bike parking, they said: “This is included in our current development phase in the yard and should be completed by the end of the year.” There are several planning applications for their site but they may mean one from May 2019 (which has since been updated – 19/01438/FUL). It includes adding bike parking spaces near the main gate on Eastvale Place and on an access road off Sandyford St (behind Glasgow Uni’s Maclay Residencies on Cooperage Place).
First featured: Digest 111, Item 1.2.
Website links: SWG3’s tweet and May 2019 planning application.

Happy St Patrick’s Day! There’s good news about Spaces for People measures in the city – the TRO for Kelvin Way is out. However, there’s more mixed news on SfP measures in towns. After East Renfrewshire’s about turn on Ayr Rd/Fenwick Rd, now Renfrewshire’s Paisley to Howwood protected route is being removed. In contrast, Inverclyde vote to keep an SfP route in Greenock.

The long-awaited city centre campuses consultation is open about (steep!) routes around Strathclyde Uni and City of Glasgow College. Meanwhile, a few Avenues are under scrutiny, there’s more secure bike parking on the way and Barclays is nearly finished with West St.

Forthcoming Consultation

Glasgow City Council: “proposal to create a ‘People First Zone’ – between Hope Street, Cowcaddens Road, North Hanover Street / Glassford Street and Howard Street – where people are able to easily and safely walk and wheel around, and feel that they – and not vehicles – have priority.” Apparently, a “six-week consultation on the City Centre Transformation Plan will begin in May.” Much more notice than we usually get from GCC – it probably has something to do with the ‘purdah’/pre-election period starting this week.

Contents
(new/updated items in bold – link jumps to article)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. St Helen’s Primary School, Bishopbriggs TRO
2. A81 Milngavie Road/Maryhill Road TRO
3. Electric Vehicle Charging Places – East Dunbartonshire TROs
4. New Hospital Plans – Airdrie (Monklands Replacement Project)
5. ‘Various Roads’ (North Lanarkshire schools) TRO
6. School Streets, Glasgow TRO (Merrylee/OLA)
7. Kelvin Way TRO
8. City Centre Campus/‘Learning Quarter’ (People-First infrastructure)
9. Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods
10. Drumchapel Local Development Framework
11. Malls Mire survey
12. *ADDITION: Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

1. Howwood to Paisley, cycle lane removal (Johnstone, Renfrewshire)
2. Secure On-Street Cycle Parking Pilot (Glasgow)
3. Argyle St (West) and Cambridge St design review
4. Barclays, West St update

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

1.1: St Helen’s Primary School, Bishopbriggs TRO

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Area: Wester Cleddens Rd and Pentland Dr, Bishopbriggs.
Subject: Parking restrictions around St Helen’s Primary School. It’s across Wester Cleddens Rd from Bishopbriggs Academy and Thomas Muir Primary School (near to the Wester Way).
First featured: Digest 106, Item 1.7.
Website links: St Helen’s PS TRO (combined PDF).
Deadline: 18 March 2022.

1.2: A81 Milngavie Road/Maryhill Road TRO

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Area: Southern part of Bearsden between Kessington Public Hall and Garscube Estate.
Subject: Short sections of footway at the corner of MacFarlane St and Killermont St and along Maryhill Rd near Cluny Park. The current layout dates from 2016 during the fallout from the decision to halt the Bearsway. These bits of shared path are useful links to get to Garscube Campus and follow paths along the River Kelvin into Glasgow. It’s not clear why the TRO has come out now but, given the recent history, local members may want to contact EDC to support it.
First featured: Digest 106, Item 1.8.
Website links: A81 footway redetermination TRO (combined PDF).
Deadline: 18 March 2022.

1.3: Electric Vehicle Charging Places – East Dunbartonshire TROs

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: EDC are installing EV charging points across its area. In the east – Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Lennoxtown, Lenzie, Milton Of Campsie, Torrance and Twechar. Meanwhile, the west just seems to be Milngavie. The drawings don’t show if the chargers will be on the carriageway or footway.
First featured: Digest 106, Item 1.9.
Website links: West EV chargers (combined PDF) and East EV chargers (combined PDF).
Deadline: 21 March 2022.

1.4: New Hospital Plans – Airdrie (Monklands Replacement Project)

Organisation: NHS Lanarkshire.
Area: Wester Moffat Farm, east of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
Subject: The current University Hospital Monklands, on the western edge of Airdrie, is due to be replaced. So, a new acute hospital is to be built on former farmland recently bought by NHS Lanarkshire. The architects, Keppie, are showing drawings and visuals for feedback ahead of a planning application. These include an active travel route west towards Drumgelloch train station. Also, a large staff bike parking store has recently appeared on the plans (across the road from a hospital entrance). So far there’s still no route east, to bypass the bit of NCN75 on the fast A89 at Plains/Caldercruix (towards the Airdrie–Bathgate path). On the plus side, parts of the A89 between Airdrie and Plains will have speed limits reduced. The East Airdrie Link Road (formerly Airdrie Bypass) is a proposed single carriageway road between the M8 and Cumbernauld.
First featured: Digest 76, Item 3.3.
Website links: Monklands Replacement Project website.
Deadline: 29 March 2022.

1.5: ‘Various Roads’ (North Lanarkshire schools) TRO

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: Parking restrictions near 18 schools across North Lanarkshire (including 14 primary schools). These include yellow lines and ‘Keep Clear’ markings. The Statement of Reasons says the action comes from recommendation by a Road Safety Working Group.
First featured: Digest 107, Item 1.9.
Website links: Various Roads TRO (combined PDF) – NLC Consultations page.
Deadline: 30 March 2022.

1.6: School Streets, Glasgow TRO (Merrylee/OLA)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: ‘Take 2’ of this School Streets Traffic Order. This one only covers two schools – the neighbouring Merrylee Primary School and Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary School near Langside Drive/Merrylee Rd. The boundary has been extended since the previous version of the TRO went out. It now includes parts of Cherrybank Rd and Glasserton Rd.
First featured: Digest 105, Item 1.2.
Website links: School Streets TRO – revised (combined PDF).
Deadline: 31 March 2022.

1.7: Kelvin Way TRO

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Traffic Regulation Order to help make the temporary Spaces for People measures on Kelvin Way permanent. The street is filtered at either end. The southern end has a short 2-way protected bike lane next to 1-way access to Kelvingrove Museum. GoBike helped organise Car Free Day 2018 on Kelvin Way, which showed the potential now being realised with the current signs, paint and planters. It’s become a well-used street by people walking, cycling, running, scooting and skating. Also, it’s due to link to a wider network in the Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village (see Yorkhill–Anderston LN post, below).
First featured: Glasgow Spaces for People blog post.
Website links: Kelvin Way TRO (combined PDF).
Deadline: 7 April.

1.8: City Centre Campus/‘Learning Quarter’ (People-First infrastructure)

Organisation: Stantec on behalf of a partnership between University of Strathclyde, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow City Council.
Area: Townhead/Cathedral St area of city centre.
Subject: As promised in Digest 107, consultation starts on infrastructure around the universities and college north-east of the city centre (‘Learning Quarter’). Many streets nearby are already due to be part of the city’s Avenues Project, including Cathedral St and North Hanover St. This project would link between those to the uni/college campuses. Firstly, the Western Route includes steep Montrose St, as it goes past Strathclyde Uni’s ‘Heart of the Campus’ (Rottenrow Gardens). There’s another hill past City of Glasgow College towards Buchanan Bus Station. Secondly, the Eastern Route would connect to Rottenrow East and link to Avenues Plus routes on George St and John Knox St. Thirdly, the Northern Route goes from a lane east of CoGC up towards the new Sighthill Bridge. The survey asks about different options for streets on the routes. Also, the ‘web hub’ includes context and evidence about the benefits of active travel.
First featured: Digest 74, Item 2.1.
Website links: Public Engagement Web Hub.
Deadline: 8 May 2022.

1.9: Yorkhill to Anderston Liveable Neighbourhoods

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: From Yorkhill, Kelvinhaugh, Stobcross, Sandyford, Finnieston to Anderston.
Subject: The latest Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation covers the area between the River Clyde, River Kelvin, Kelvingrove Park and M8. There is well used active travel infrastructure in the area, including NCN7/75 and the West City Way. Also, the (almost finished?) lanes funded by City Deal on Bunhouse Rd and Old Dumbarton Rd. Further segregated cyclepaths are due for Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Cycling Village, including Minerva St and Haugh Rd (where Bike for Good will hopefully continue). However, there are still plenty of gaps, as shown when the riverbank was shut during COP26. A new bridge across the Clyde at the Riverside Museum is due to start construction. Meanwhile, the SEC’s redevelopment may close off the red ‘smartie tube’ bridge at Exhibition Centre station. The M8 motorway remains a barrier to destinations like the Mitchell Library and Anderston station.
First featured: Digest 107, Item 1.11.
Website links: Yorkhill to Anderston LN (Commonplace).
Deadline: June 2022.

1.10: Drumchapel Local Development Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The latest framework consultation, following previous strategic ones for Glasgow North, ‘Inner East’, etc. Drumchapel is known as one of the ‘big four’ post-war council housing estates (along with Castlemilk, Easterhouse and Pollok). The Drumchapel Cycle Hub is based near the sports centre but there’s very little cycling infrastructure around the area. The map has made it past 25 comments.
First featured: Digest 102, Item 1.12.
Website links: Drumchapel Commonplace map, Drumchapel survey link and background.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.11: Malls Mire survey

Organisation: Urban Roots.
Area: Woodland park between Toryglen Asda, Polmadie Recycling Centre in Glasgow and Rutherglen Glencairn Football Club in South Lanarkshire.
Subject: An evaluation about the newly created park and paths. The site wraps around a regenerated housing estate, linking former wasteground with the woodland and ponds. It includes trails, outdoor play equipment and a bike pump track. Also, 3m wide shared paths create a lit, mostly traffic-free route linking Prospecthill Circus west to Polmadie Rd and east to the corner of Toryglen Rd/Pinkerton Ave in Rutherglen. Tron Theatre will be running sensory walks in Malls Mire for five weeks starting in April. Walking Tall Tales will be for local families with children age five and under.
First featured: Digest 74, Item 3.4.
Website links: Malls Mire survey.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.12: *ADDITION: Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane

Council: Inverclyde.
Subject: A Spaces for People temporary route between Greenock town centre and a coastal park (previously missed by your author – apologies). A recent council vote was 9:2 in favour of keeping the lanes for another six months, with a further review in September. Photos in the consultation survey show a mixture of on-road ‘soft’ segregation and painted lanes on footways and across side roads. While some of the junction and bus stop treatments may not be ideal, there seem to be decent protected sections too.
Website links: Greenock Town Centre to Battery Park – Community Engagement and Inverclyde Now article on council vote.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Howwood to Paisley, cycle lane removal (Johnstone, Renfrewshire)

Council: Renfrewshire.
Area: Beith Rd through Johnstone, between Paisley and Howwood.
Subject: The Paisley Gazette reports: “At a full meeting of Renfrewshire Council… elected members unanimously agreed to remove the temporary cycleway on Beith Road and examine alternative plans for active travel in the area.” A few councillors had been campaigning to have the route removed. A petition against the route had reached around 1,500 signatures. Spaces for People funding is due to stop at the end of the month. Elsewhere, protection on the SfP route on Ayr Rd/Fenwick Rd in East Renfrewshire may also be removed. The Cornwall St/Brouster Hill lanes in East Kilbride also had negative press (but the consultation hasn’t yet reported back). The Greenock to Battery Park SfP lane in Inverclyde is also under consultation. On a more positive note, in Renfrewshire work recently started on building the permanent Renfrew to Paisley cycle route.
First featured: Digest 103, Item 2.1.
Website links: Paisley Gazette article about Renfrewshire Council decision.

2.2: Secure On-Street Cycle Parking Pilot (Glasgow)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Expansion of secure on-street cycle parking in the city. The council report says: “Cyclehoop successfully installed 61 units in May/June 2021, which are presently at 98% occupancy across the scheme.” Also: “there is a waiting list of 1,500 across Glasgow. This waiting list data has been utilised in association with requests for provision to direct the proposed locations.” The list of new locations is weighted towards more densely populated areas like Dennistoun, Langside and Partick. G41 gets the most units of any postcode with G42 not far behind. Installation is due soon: “phase 2 of the scheme is programmed for March 2022 when installations will commence. This will deliver seventy (70) units providing an additional 420 storage spaces across the scheme as a whole.” 
First featured: Digest 88, Infrastructure Update.
Website links: Secure On-Street Cycle Parking report and list of proposed locations by postcode (PDF).

2.3: Argyle St (West) and Cambridge St design review

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: In December 2021, plans came out for the next phase of Avenues construction, including Cambridge St and the western part of Argyle St. The plans didn’t seem to improve on issues from the Sauchiehall St pilot. Nor did they meet the updated Cycling by Design standards. Both these points were put to councillors in a letter by GoBike’s convenor, Thomas. A new group had been mooted by GCC, called the Accessible Design Forum, who would review future Avenues designs. A recent BBC Scotland article highlighted issues faced by people with visual impairment on the Avenues section of Sauchiehall St. Following the piece on Reporting Scotland, GCC have responded to Cllr Christy Mearns that “two designs [Argyle St (West) and Cambridge St] have been put on hold and will be re-considered in the first ADF meeting… A date, time and venue will be confirmed shortly – likely to be towards the end of March / early April.”
First featured: Digest 101, Item 2.2.

2.4: Barclays, West St works update

Organisation: Barclays.
Area: South West City Way at Barclays site.
Subject: GoBike member Tor asked Barclays about the closed area at the north east tip of West St. Although building work is due to finish by the end of the month, it might not fully open until May. Apparently, this depends on the weather allowing further work to take place. Once it opens, there will be a new crossing at Kingston St with bike-only lights. People cycling north-south would then be able to stay on the eastern side of West St. Thus avoiding having to cross diagonally to/from the western side at Kingston St (and another crossing at Barclays site).
First featured: SWCW/Barclays works blog post.
Website links: Barclays replies to query on Twitter.

The route of the March for Climate Justice on Saturday 6 November started on Kelvin Way and passed more Spaces for People measures in George Square. An order has come out to help make the temporary Spaces for People measures around the square permanent.

The march couldn’t get anywhere near the COP26 venue at the SEC. It has just lodged a planning application for its sometimes public cycle/footbridge. Looking further to the future, this Digest also includes two long term strategies for Glasgow and another for South Ayrshire.

Image credit: Julia L via Pedal on Parliament Flickr group

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. South Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy
2. Tarbet to Inverarnan A82 road/active travel improvements
3. Glasgow’s Active Travel Strategy (Consultation draft)
4. Nitshill Road (40mph Speed Limit) Amendment Order
5. SEC Arrival Hall & Minerva St pedestrian/cycle bridge (planning application)
6. George Square: City Centre Traffic Management Order 2010 (Variation No. 31)
7. Draft Glasgow Transport Strategy: framework
8. Draft Parking Management Plan (EDC)
9. Ayr Road (South) Active Travel Improvements 
10. Langside to Toryglen Liveable Neighbourhoods
11. Ruchill to Cowlairs Liveable Neighbourhoods
12. Raeberry St Quietway (Connecting Woodside)
13. Ayr Road (North): Spaces for People, Phase 2
14. Helensburgh to Garelochhead active travel route
15. Rethink Glasgow

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

1. COP26 Active Travel route closures
2. City Deal Avenues: Programme update

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

1.1: South Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy 2021–2031

Council: South Ayrshire.
Subject: Active Travel Strategy for South Ayrshire Council region, covering Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Girvan, etc. Includes a list of infrastructure proposals but not much detail on the standards they might use for construction. Apologies this almost slipped through the net – email any last minute comments about the strategy to: saats@sweco.co.uk.
Website link: South Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy consultation page, South Ayrshire Active Travel Strategy (PDF).
Deadline: 12th November.

1.2: Tarbet to Inverarnan A82 road/active travel improvements

Organisation: Transport Scotland.
Area: Loch Lomond north west shore (A82) in Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
Subject: New shared path added to re-aligned/improved A82. Scenic route north from Tarbet to Inverarnan (at head of Loch Lomond).
First covered: Digest 97, Item 1.11.
Website link: Tarbet to Inverarnan ‘storymap’.
Deadline: 19th November.

1.3: Glasgow’s Active Travel Strategy

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Active Travel Strategy to replace the previous Cycling Strategy. It certainly talks the talk’ and has some good case studies. However, will it be robust enough to ‘walk the walk’ and be implemented properly?
First covered: Digest 97, 1.5.
Website links: GCC Active Travel info and downloads and GCC Active Travel Survey.  There’s also, an Active Travel ‘Storymap’ and now a CommonPlace map for the proposed city network. 
Deadline: 22 November (not 24th as previously stated).

1.4: Nitshill Road (40mph Speed Limit) Amendment Order

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: South-west Glasgow.
Subject: A few 40mph signs to be moved along Nitshill Rd for a new development.
First covered: Digest 98, Item 1.6.
Website links: Nitshill Rd map, Nitshill Rd report, Nitshill Rd press notice.
Deadline: 22 November.

1.5: SEC Arrival Hall & Minerva St pedestrian/cycle bridge (planning application)

Organisation: Scottish Event Campus.
Area: SEC and Minerva St, Finnieston.
Subject: Proposal for the pedestrian/cycle bridge from Minerva St at Exhibition Centre train station. It will keep the same footings north of Stobcross Rd, so will still have its hazardous right-angle corners (but might lose the gates at the southern end). A new ‘arrival hall’ building will be added at the SEC end of the bridge (starting roughly where the current ‘kink’ is, south of Stobcross Rd). This is part of the wider redevelopment plans for the SEC.
Website links: SEC Arrival Hall & Minerva St bridge planning application.
Deadline: 25 November.

1.6: George Square: City Centre Traffic Management Order 2010 (Variation No. 31)

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Order to make Spaces for People temporary measures permanent in George Square. These include walking/cycling only areas on the west and east sides of the square and at the junction with Hanover St. Also, the southern side is restricted to bus, taxi and cycles from 7am–7pm. There are other restrictions and disabled parking bays on the streets next to the square plus a few restrictions on parts of West Nile St.
Website links: George Sq map, George Sq City Centre TRO Report, George Sq press notice, George Sq Statement of Reasons.
Deadline: 26 November.

1.7: Draft Glasgow Transport Strategy: Framework

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: “The new transport strategy will be city-wide, and provide a framework for investment and decision-making on transport issues up to 2030.” Note: specific transport projects won’t be covered until the ‘Glasgow Transport Strategy: Spatial Delivery Framework’ in 2022.
First covered: Digest 98, Item 1.7.
Website links: Glasgow Transport Strategy page, Draft framework document (39MB!), GTS ‘Story Map’ (some parts load slowly or are broken), GTS online survey.
Deadline: 26 November.

1.8: Draft Parking Management Plan

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: A “coordinated, operational plan for parking management.”
First covered: Digest 97, Item 1.6.
Website links: Draft parking management plan consultation page and survey.
Deadline: 30 November.

1.9: Ayr Road (South) Active Travel Improvements

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Area: Ayr Rd south from Newton Mearns.
Subject: Build a replacement shared-use path on the north/west side of Ayr Road, between North Hillhead Road and the M77 overbridge.
First covered: Digest 97, Item 1.7.
Website link: ERC Ayr Road South consultation page.
Deadline: 24 December.

1.10: Langside to Toryglen Liveable Neighbourhoods consultation

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: From Langside (at edge of Shawlands) across Battlefield, Mount Florida and part of King’s Park to Toryglen (and Polmadie).
Subject: GCC says Liveable Neighbourhoods are to “rebalance the way streets are designed and used, to make them more people friendly” and “to place active travel and public transport as a first choice”. See also GCC’s LN overview and UBDC’s article.
First covered: Digest 96, 1.4.
Website link: Langside to Toryglen LN Commonplace map, About the Langside to Toryglen LN.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.11: Ruchill to Cowlairs Liveable Neighbourhood consultation

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: From Ruchill (at edge of Maryhill) across Possilpark, Hamiltonhill, Rockvilla, Craighall, Keppochhill and Port Dundas to Cowlairs (plus Sighthill Park).
Subject: As above. One model that Liveable Neighbourhoods may follow is Quietways – see the next item for an example.
First covered: Digest 96, 1.5.
Website link: Ruchill to Cowlairs LN Commonplace map, About the Ruchill to Cowlairs LN.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.12: Raeberry St Quietway (Connecting Woodside)

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: Raeberry St, North Woodside (west of Maryhill Rd).
Subject: Quietway on Raeberry St, part of the wider Connecting Woodside project (via GoBike member Alasdair). Key points include junction redesigns at either end of the street and new secure cycle parking. The eastern end (above) is narrowed at Maryhill Road and the crossing moved to make a direct link to Trossachs St (helping access to the Garscube Rd cycleway and the canal). Car parking bays in the street are set by the new North Kelvinside/Woodside Restricted Parking Zone (which should reduce the amount of vehicles in the area).
Website link: Raeberry St Quietway ‘storymap’, Raeberry St plans PDF, Raeberry St survey.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.13: Ayr Road (North): Spaces for People, Phase 2

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Area: Ayr Rd through Newton Mearns.
Subject: Phase 2 consultation about replacing the phase 1 cones with light segregation.
First covered: Digest 91, Item 1.5.
Website link: ERC Ayr Road Phase 2 Commonplace page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.14: Helensburgh to Garelochhead active travel route

Council: Argyll and Bute.
Area: Gare Loch east shore (A814/B872).
Subject: Active travel route between Helensburgh and Garelochhead (by Faslane naval base).
First covered: Digest 95, 1.5.
Website link: Helensburgh to Garelochhead active travel consultation.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.15: Rethink Glasgow

Organisations: Lateral North/OnePlanet/After The Pandemic
Area: Glasgow.
Subject: A “region-wide conversation to re-think a new vision for Glasgow’s future”. After The Pandemic have held a few events during COP26 and have a display in Strathclyde University Students Union until 12 November.
First covered: Digest 95, 1.6.
Website link: Rethink Glasgow, Commonplace site.
Deadline: No obvious deadline. 

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: COP26 Active Travel route closures

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: NCN7/Clyde Walkway (Riverside to Lancefield Quay), West City Way (bridge over M8), Finnieston, etc.
Subject: Further (and final?) response about active travel diversion routes from Get Ready Glasgow.
On signage: “We can confirm that the routes were re-signed on Thursday 4th November.”
On ramps at security gates for accessibility: “Cyclists approaching the gates should dismount. Ramps will not be provided.”
On a site visit with Cllr Christy Mearns and GoBike: “Unfortunately there is no-one available for a site visit as we are all in our operational roles.”
First covered: Digest 94, Item 1.2.
Website links: GoBike on Facebook/GoBike on Twitter.

2.2: City Deal Avenues: Programme update

Council: Glasgow City.
Area: City centre.
Subject: Report for an upcoming council meeting on progress with the Avenues project. Part of Sauchiehall St has already been upgraded to add cycle lanes, trees, etc. However, the timetable for other city centre streets has been seriously delayed. Appendix A shows there will be no new Avenues completed in 2022. Only one (Cambridge St) might be completed by July 2023, when Glasgow hosts the World Cycling Championships. The timetables for some others stretch to 2028.
Website links: Avenues GCC committee document.

You’ll notice some changes to this Digest to make it quicker to read (and for your author to produce). This has been dictated by circumstances (lack of holiday cover). However, it will act as a pilot and some aspects may be retained longer term. 

This slimmed down version of the Digest is based loosely on a ‘listings’ directory and removes the (usually empty) ‘Forthcoming consultations’ section. In future, if anything is forthcoming it will be mentioned in this intro, as follows.

Forthcoming consultations: Liveable Neighbourhoods pilot areas  – consultation expected within the next month or so. 

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

1.1: Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2

Council: East Renfrewshire.
Area: Ayr Rd through Newton Mearns.
Subject: Phase 2 consultation about replacing the phase 1 cones with light segregation.
First covered: Digest 91, Item 1.5.
Website link: ERC Ayr Road Phase 2 Commonplace page.
Deadline: No obvious deadline on this one (still seems to be open).

1.2: Active Travel Discussion 

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Subject: Active travel in the local authority area.
First covered: Digest 86, Item 1.2.
Website link: EDC Active Travel Discussion page. 
Deadline: 28 September.

1.3: Linnhe Avenue, Ochil Road & Thrums Avenue, Bishopbriggs TRO – Waiting & Loading Restrictions

Council: East Dunbartonshire.
Area: Bishopbriggs.
Subject: Waiting and loading restrictions.
Website links: Notice and Combined documents
Deadline: 1 October.

1.4: Secure City Centre Cycle Parking Survey

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Secure cycle parking at city centre travel hubs and places of employment.
First covered: Digest 94, Item 1.10.
Website link: GCC city centre cycle parking consultation page and cycle parking survey. 
Deadline: 3 October.

1.5: Helensburgh to Garelochhead active travel route

Council: Argyll and Bute.
Area: Gare Loch east shore (A814/B872).
Subject: Active travel route between Helensburgh and Garelochhead (by Faslane naval base).
Website link: Helensburgh to Garelochhead active travel consultation.
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

1.6: Rethink Glasgow

Organisations: Lateral North/OnePlanet/After The Pandemic
Area: Glasgow.
Subject: A “region-wide conversation to re-think a new vision for Glasgow’s future”.
Website link: Rethink Glasgow, Commonplace site
Deadline: No obvious deadline.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Malls Mire newsletter

Organisation: Urban Roots.
Area: Toryglen, Glasgow/Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Malls Mire Community Woodland is now open!
Website link: Malls Mire newsletter, August 2021.

2.2: Spaces for People – committee vote on retaining measures

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Most of the temporary Spaces for People active travel measures will be made into permanent infrastructure. This includes all cycle routes, most city centre measures, all neighbourhood measures and one neighbourhood pavement widening (Kelvin Way).
First covered: Digest 87, Item 1.3.
Website link: GCC article on Spaces for People decision.

2.3: COP26 Active Travel route closures

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: GoBike have had messages from ‘Get Ready Glasgow’ about access around COP26 and mistakes in their map showing diversions. Also, we’re due to present our petition (about keeping active travel paths open around COP26) to a council committee next week.
First covered: Digest 94, Item 1.2.
Website links: GoBike COP26 webpage and GoBike twitter account.

As the 2020 Paralympics take place in Tokyo, how is Glasgow looking towards its own global event: COP26? Currently, the city council has a new, short notice consultation about suspending public access rights. You may have seen GoBike banners on the subject or media coverage of support from Scotland’s new Active Travel minister – Green MSP, Patrick Harvie. It’s also a last call for the survey on Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone.

It’s a final fling for a handful of consultations around Glasgow (and one in Renfrewshire). There’s a bit longer for a few others – a new survey on secure cycle parking in the city centre and the last leg of East Dunbartonshire’s Active Travel Discussion.

Your author is also going on holiday so the next Digest may or may not be in its usual slot or by its usual writer…

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation (ends 2 Sep)
2. Glasgow City Council – COP 26 Section 11 Order: Suspension of Public Access Rights (ends 3 Sep)
3. Rosemount Development Trust – Royston Road Masterplan (ends 3 Sep)
4. Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework (ends 3 Sep)
5. Renfrewshire Council – Improving Barshaw Park Junction, Paisley (ends 5 Sep)
6. Queens Cross Housing Association – Woodside Making Places: Planning Application (deadline: 6 Sep)
7. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde/Sustrans – Gartnavel Active Travel Feasibility Study (ends 10 Sep)
8. East Renfrewshire Council – Ayr Road (A77): Spaces for People, Phase 2
9. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (ends 28 Sep)
10. Glasgow City Council – Secure City Cycle Parking Survey (ends 3 Oct)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – TRNSMT Festival and Access to NCN75
2. North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Gateway & Cycle Facilities project
3. Glasgow City Council – London Rd Spaces for People lanes at Celtic Park
4. East Renfrewshire Council – Proposed Local Development Plan 2
5. Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – Low Emission Zone consultation

It was Digest 90, Item 1.3 when we first mentioned this consultation about phase 2 of the Low Emission Zone in Glasgow city centre. Phase 1 applied to local buses only. Phase 2 will include all motor vehicles driven into the zone area between the M8, river and High St (unless exempt, like Blue Badge holders).

The LEZ area is smaller than the City Centre Air Quality Management area, which includes the M8 and parts of Bridge St and Royston Rd. There are only two other AQMAs in Glasgow – Byres Rd/Dumbarton Rd and Parkhead Cross – since the city-wide AQMA was revoked in 2016. Further background is on Glasgow’s Local Air Quality Management pages.

The area the LEZ covers is one of the questions asked in the survey. Enforcement is another – it’s only due to start in June 2023 (or 2024 for people who live in the city centre).

When enforcement does start, fines will escalate for repeat offences (doubling each time within a 90 day period).

The city council have sent GoBike a few reminder emails about this one, which suggests they’re not getting the level of response they were looking for. If you want to influence the shape of the zone (literally) or when it kicks in, see the Glasgow LEZ consultation page, LEZ consultation document and LEZ online survey. Closes on Thursday 2 September.

1.2: Glasgow City Council – COP 26 Section 11 Order: Suspension of Public Access Rights

This is about main active travel routes being closed during October/November around the COP26 climate conference at the SEC. The ‘exclusion zone’ would cover a large area from Ferry Rd to Finnieston St and bridges in Anderston. The cycling diversions will be much longer and less safe than the parts of NCN7 and the West City Way that they replace. GoBike started a petition about keeping routes open (for Glasgow residents only). We also proposed changes to the council’s plans.

See our blog about the closures for more in-depth information and our social media for updates. GCC access rights consultation ends Friday 3 September.

1.3: Rosemount Development Trust – Royston Road Masterplan

This debuted last time in Digest 93, 1.5. It’s about regenerating the western part of Royston Rd. It’s a part of the City Centre AQMA but not in the LEZ. That doesn’t seem to be mentioned while speeding, litter and other issues are. Equally, the project phases outlined in board 6 don’t include cycling at all. Surely it has to be part of the solution, especially with On Bikes’ Flourishing Molendinar project (Digest 92, Item 1.2) just up the same road? This Royston Rd project and theirs both need safe active travel connections to the city centre and Sighthill.

If you know the area at all, please put the case for cycling infrastructure. See the Royston regeneration survey and information boards (ends Friday 3 September).

1.4: Glasgow City Council – Inner East Strategic Development Framework

Another SDF (and another AQMA – Parkhead Cross) first covered in in Digest 90, Item 1.4. ‘Inner East’ is an arbitrary area made up by the council, who’ve decided Parkhead is the main place East Enders want to get to. While the Forge Shopping Centre is important for many, there’s an assumption here that all roads lead to Parkhead (including phase 3 of the East End Regeneration Route dual carriageway). A train station for Parkhead gets a few mentions but that’s what the East End Local Development Strategy said back in 2008. Active travel is mentioned a lot but road-building still seems to be central.

There are many more assumptions (“locals prefer to drive to the forge”) and errors in this SDF. The maps seem rushed, especially the Bridgeton map with two wrong train stations superimposed on it.

On a more positive note, there are a few mentions of permeability. One is about the paths through the Meatmarket site (under construction at Duke St/Bellgrove St) and there are other examples not in the document, like Riverside Dalmarnock.

The council talks up some recent developments by GCC and partners like Clyde Gateway, who have built a lot in the East End in the last decade or so (and do include cycle parking in their developments). However, people have to cycle through the car park of Red Tree, Shawfield as CG didn’t reconnect the path properly between NCN 756 and the Smartbridge (despite being asked). GCC also missed an opportunity to add protected cycle lanes in its Calton-Barras Action Plan (CBAP). So, there are still lessons to be learned.

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

1.5: Renfrewshire Council – Improving Barshaw Park Junction, Paisley

In Digest 93, 1.7 we mentioned the plans to improve safety for cycling at Barshaw Park junction. Option 3 had segregated cycle lanes on all roads, while options 1 and 2 only had them on the main road. There was some local hostility to the plans on Facebook – while not surprising on that platform, the plans will need support to progress.

See the Barshaw Park junction community survey to rate the options (ends 5 September).

1.6: Queens Cross Housing Association – Woodside Making Places: Planning Application

Woodside Making Places is a wide-ranging project for the area around St George’s Rd and Braid Square, near Garscube Rd. The previous consultation was in Digest 79, Item 1.4 (and an earlier stage in Digest 65, 3.1). This latest development wasn’t publicised much but was in a Glasgow Live article about Queens Cross Housing Association submitting a planning application.

It’s application 21/02266/FUL for “Renewal of public realm, gardens and greenspaces, including streets and lighting, with comprehensive green infrastructure improvements.” These include some playparks and a lot of tree planting. The most interesting part for GoBike is the ‘Quietway’ cycle route in the plan for North Woodside Road.

The red tarmac makes it look like a Dutch ‘bicycle street’ (where bikes have priority and cars are ‘guests’). Whether or not it will work that way remains to be seen. However, N Woodside Rd is a residential street, which is already filtered to the west at the junction of Maryhill Rd and Hopehill Rd (as featured in Digest 93, 3.3).

N Woodside Rd’s eastern end will link to segregated cycle lanes on St George’s Rd, which are part of the Connecting Woodside Project (and lead to the protected junction at Garscube Rd). So, it should be an important link for the wider area.

There was also due to be an improved path south to Phoenix Rd and the planned ‘Underline’ cycle route below the M8 between New City Road and Cambridge St. However, M8 emergency repairs are underway on the Woodside Viaduct so those Avenue works are being pushed back even further; potentially for a few years.

Deadline for any comments is 6 Sep. See the Woodside Making Places website for more background about the project.

1.7: Sustrans – Gartnavel Active Travel Feasibility Study

This project first came up in Digest 60, Item 3.3 and most recently in Digest 90, Item 3.2. Several GoBike members know the area and engaged with early ideas for the site. A site visit took place in July, when GoBike member Caroline met with the design consultants, ERZ Studio.

The initial proposals from that process are now out for consultation:

• Three shared/side-by-side walking/cycling routes across the site.
• Two new gates created in existing site wall.
• Adjusting crossings at main road junctions.
• Pedestrian precinct/plaza at main hospital buildings.
• Improving access towards Hyndland train station.
• Improving wayfinding signage.

The new northern gate would be next to the existing exit road (as above). However, the proposed eastern gate would open up access from a new location east of the Beatson, through the current stone wall, to Hughenden Lane (where you can see the chimney near the Beatson). This ‘Quietway’ would be an alternative route between Hughenden and Crow Rd, avoiding the very busy Great Western Rd. While it meanders a bit, it should also link to the more direct Shelley Rd (to the north, alongside Bingham’s Pond).

The scope of the project seems to have grown slightly from NHS-owned land to include crossings but not cycleways on the main roads themselves, like Gt Western Rd. Instead, the consultants asked about routes between NHS sites, like Gartnavel and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. One query was about a route via the soon-to-be-built Partick–Govan bridge to the QEUH; a mile longer than using the Clyde Tunnel (but might have less closures?).

For now, see the Gartnavel survey – ends 10 September.

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

Covered in Digest 91, Item 1.5, Ayr Rd through Newton Mearns is in a phase 2 consultation. It’s about replacing the phase 1 cones with light segregation, removing some segregation and adding parking bays. For examples of the segregation, maps and more details, see the Ayr Road Phase 2 Commonplace page. No obvious deadline on this one (but still seems to be open).

1.9: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion 

What can we say about the EDC Active Travel Discussion that hasn’t already been said? There are two more online events left. See the Active Travel Discussion page – ends 28 September.

1.10: Glasgow City Council – Secure City Cycle Parking Survey

Back in Digest 88, in the Infra Update, we mentioned how GCC’s tweet about neighbourhood secure cycle parking drew comments about it missing out the city centre.

Recently, the council launched a survey about “secure cycle parking in the city centre at travel hubs and places of employment.” They want to find out the following:

“a greater understanding of travel patterns, frequency of travel, and what type of provision would appeal to those who require to park their bicycle in the city.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.”

Cadogan St multi-storey car park used to have a bike parking area but it wasn’t the most welcoming place. Perhaps Glasgow could aim for facilities like this office development in Bristol or Manchester’s Cycle Hubs.

Considering the spate of bike thefts across the city during the pandemic, this seems like a good chance to ask for more secure bike parking. See the GCC city centre cycle parking consultation page and cycle parking survey – ends 3 October.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

In Digest 93, Item 3.4 we featured an email from GCC about the closure of NCN75 during the upcoming music festival. GoBike convenor Thomas tweeted about issues with the diversion route and replied to the council’s email. A further response from GCC sounds more constructive than before:

“To advise we are working to improve wherever possible the diversion route… which would hopefully make this route not only a suitable diversion for Major Events within Glasgow Green but also an optional route on a day to day basis.”

The council also wanted to organise a meeting between GoBike and council officers. They said: “we can walk the route highlighting where we will be making improvements”. Also, they would: “allow you an opportunity to speak directly with those planning/managing any works.” We wait to see the improvements but this new ramp was spotted on the route.

Lastly, GCC will “consider a short term working group to hopefully give an opportunity to facilitate improved joint working for the longer term solution to this particular challenge.”

Thomas will set up the meeting shortly and we hope to have further news.

3.2: North Lanarkshire Council – Bellshill Gateway & Cycle Facilities project

In Digest 92, Item 1.9 we featured initial plans for a proposed Velo Park and enhanced entrance to Strathclyde Country Park from Bellshill. A GoBike member was at a recent meeting between local groups and council staff. They’re from NLC’s new Greenspace Projects team, which will have responsibility for ‘Country Parks for the Future’ initiatives at Strathclyde Park (as well as Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge and Palacerigg Park, near Cumbernauld).

The officer clarified a few points, including that the planned mountain bike trails would only be in the north-east of the site. The paths around the South Calder Water would form a loop for walking and cycling as a local exercise route.

The team are looking at a few other issues like the underused hire bikes at the Watersports Centre (including some adapted bikes). Also, a potential cycle hub near Motherwell train station (perhaps in a building nearby).

A bid is due to go in to Sport Scotland by the end of August.

3.3: Glasgow City Council – London Rd Spaces for People lanes at Celtic Park

In Digest 90, Item 3.1, we covered the removal of the temporary ‘zebras’/’armadillos’ on London Rd outside Celtic Park and the Emirates. As well as contacting the council, some GoBike members put our message on London Rd itself.

GCC have taken a while to respond, perhaps because they had homework to do – according to their response…

“a survey of many similar sports facilities around the UK was undertaken and no examples of cycle segregation directly outside these facilities was found. Those that did have cycle facilities had a painted line only. GCC has improved on that by installing a ridged line to provide an audio and visual warning to drivers.

The Department explored alternative options including traffic delineator wands, such as those used on Great Western Road and a combination wand / armadillo design as currently used in Edinburgh City Centre. However, both of these also resulted in significant risk and possible increased risk in the case of the traffic delineator wand.“

The ‘combination design’ became a trip hazard on a high street in Cardiff. However, the above seems to rule out a ‘traffic delineator wand’ (temporary bollard) because it might be a risk.

Circumstantial evidence?

Several GoBike members were sceptical of the reasons given about ‘armadillos’ being a trip hazard. The council’s response says it depends on the circumstances:

“We do not consider that in normal circumstances armadillos represent a high risk trip hazard. However,… mass evacuation… (of) almost 60,000 individuals… would result in a tightly knit, panicked and distressed crowd. Under these circumstances, there would be little visibility of the armadillos and there is a significant concern of serious injury or fatality due to trips / falls and subsequent crush injury.”

There was a crush outside Celtic Park in 2018, where a few fans were injured. However, it was at the confined Janefield St side of the stadium, not the open London Rd side.

Apparently, the decision to remove was: “assessed in conjunction with advice from Police Scotland but no formal record has been kept”. There was no Equalities Impact Assessment “as this process is not appropriate for this type of alteration. None of the protected characteristics as outlined in the Equalities Act are negatively affect by the alterations.”

GCC talk about policy then make an interesting statement. “Designers have a duty under Construction Design and Management regulations to design out risk wherever possible.“

Lastly, they turn from the temporary Spaces for People project to mention the permanent East City Way route on London Rd. “We note your comment about the new East City Way and can confirm that the SFP project officers have discussed these issues with the East City Way officer with a view to designing out the risk as far as reasonably possible within the long term plans.” So, that seems to depends on the circumstances as well.

3.4: East Renfrewshire Council – Proposed Local Development Plan 2

We covered East Ren’s proposed Local Development Plan 2 in Digest 47, Item 1.4 in late 2019. It was submitted to the Scottish Government for its Reporters to consider in their 435-page report! It contains several mentions of GoBike, and our convenor Thomas (with his surname spelled correctly most of the time!).

One of these mentions – ‘(e) Schedule 6: Proposal D8.13: Netherlee to Giffnock’ – was about a potential feasibility study for a footbridge across the railway at Gordon Dr. The report shows there were two people in favour and 19 against so the proposal has been dropped (and will not be in any of their back yards). However, other measures GoBike supported will be included. The 22-page recommendation document details the text changes ahead of publication.

3.5: Glasgow City Council – Auldhouse Area Traffic Management Order

These measures for Auldhouse, in the Southside, appeared in Digest 92, Item 1.8. GoBike’s response made points about one-way streets and potential for contraflow cycling. The council sent a fairly predictable reply:

“…given the narrow carriageway widths and short lengths of carriageway within this self-contained residential area, contraflow cycle lanes were not deemed feasible. Unfortunately, I can therefore advise that cyclists will also be subject to the one way operations.”

GCC’s email goes on to say one-way streets will apparently “enhance road safety for cyclists”. Also: “parking restrictions at road junctions will remove potential obstructions by vehicles at lowered kerbs which will assist pedestrians, wheelchair users and push chairs in crossing the road.” There’s no mention of a joint decision with Police Scotland on enforcement.

Glasgow City Council’s consultation on its Spaces for People projects is in its last few weeks. There are also consultations and feedback about a few projects in the city. Elsewhere, there’s SfP in East Ren, ‘Discussion’ in East Dunbartonshire and a new road and potential new paths for Lanarkshire.

Infrastructure works continue in Glasgow and beyond for temporary lanes, permanent routes and secure cycle storage. So, there’s another round-up…

Infrastructure Update

• Bunhouse Rd and Old Dumbarton Rd seem nearly complete while work continues on Benalder St and Ferry Rd (for Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Cycle Village).
• Finnieston saw its first on-street secure ‘bikehangars’ (by Cyclehoop) with more due in the Southside and elsewhere. However, some people questioned why the city centre, North and East End were less well covered.
• Royston Rd pop-up lane works continue – might be finished by the end of SfP consultation!
• Some of South Lanarkshire’s towns and villages get 20mph zones, like in Bothwell. The council have also introduced mandatory 20mph zones around schools.
• Strathclyde Park’s widened path is complete near the playpark. Also, the east gate on spine road has moved to allow car access to the Beach car park (while stopping through traffic).

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Community Action Lanarkshire – Make Your Way surveys for Crawford + Elvanfoot, Glespin, Rigside + Douglas Water (ends 13 June)
2. Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order (ends 18 June)
3. Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People survey (ends 20 June)
4. Waverley Park Collective – Liveable Streets Waverley Park (amended deadline: 21 June)
5. East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Rd, Giffnock Spaces for People project
6. North Lanarkshire Council – East Airdrie Link Road, Stage 2 survey
7. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (ends 28 Sept)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – Planning decision about site to the south of Crawford St/Rosevale St/Beith St
2. Dennistoun Community Council – Update on Spaces for People scheme
3. Urban Roots – Malls Mire newsletter May 2021
4. Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus newsletter June 2021

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

1.1: Community Action Lanarkshire – Make Your Way surveys for Crawford + Elvanfoot, Glespin, Rigside + Douglas Water

The Make Your Way project looks at sustainable travel in rural South Lanarkshire. It started in 2016 creating active travel maps (see: www.makeyourwayclydesdale.com). Since then it has evolved to offer Bikeability training, wayfinding and infrastructure. Previous MYW consultations appeared in Digest 75, Item 1.3. These led to plans for active travel routes to connect villages to the nearby NCN74.

A new lot of villages is due to follow similar steps. Crawford and Elvanfoot are both next to NCN74, south of Biggar. Glespin is off to the west (past Douglas) and Rigside/Douglas Water are to the east (south of Lanark). Some of these places may be familiar from Cycling UK or other group rides. Find the surveys at the following links:

• Crawford and Elvanfoot survey (C+E under 16s survey).
• Glespin survey (Glespin under 16s survey).
• Rigside and Douglas Water survey (R+G under 16s survey).

Surveys are also available from the box outside Crawford Village Hall, Elvanfoot phonebox, Glespin Community Group (glespincommunitygroup@hotmail.com) and Atwal’s Rigside.

The above surveys close on Sunday 13 June.

1.2: Glasgow City Council – Maryhill Road/North Woodside Road/Hopehill Road (Traffic Regulation) Order

It’s third time lucky to explain this novel junction proposal for Maryhill Rd, which was first covered in May. However, there had been an earlier Stage 1 process to which GoBike responded. Sadly, none of our suggestions were taken on board.

The key features appear to be: the middle crossing is for bikes only, it’s diagonal and it’s completely separate from the surrounding toucan crossings. The issue may be that anyone cycling across who turns onto Maryhill Rd could cut across the line of people walking on the crossings at each arm of the junction (on their own green man) potentially with cyclists coming from behind their shoulder. That seems to be why the council wants to ban left and right turns onto Maryhill Rd from the diagonal cycle-only crossing.

There are other diagonal bike crossings being installed as part of the protected junction layouts on Garscube Rd (for the same project, Connecting Woodside). However, the segregated cycle lanes there will make a big difference and reduce numbers cycling on the carriageway. There’s also the issue about how practical this prohibition might be – will people ignore the ban (or maybe use a toucan crossing to turn onto Maryhill Rd instead)?

Regardless, we have the above proposal and prohibition, which the latest GoBike response about Maryhill Rd TRO objects to. We await to see if there will be any constructive dialogue. The TRO files were in Digest 86, Item 1.1 and closing date is Friday 18 June.

1.3: Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People survey

This consultation covers every temporary Spaces for People project in the city. These have been grouped into headings like ‘City Centre‘, ‘Neighbourhoods‘, ‘School Car Free Zones‘ and ‘Pop-up Cycle Lanes‘. There’s a wide range from across the city, a few of which have been in place in some form for about a year now. In contrast, others are still being finished (like Royston Rd in the Update, above). The quality varies, particularly around junctions, but most make cycling or walking across the city a bit less stressful and more accessible.

Do we want to go back to life without them? If not, there are plenty of ‘Retain it’ checkboxes to tick in the GCC SfP survey (and boxes to comment in too).

A closing date has been announced – you have until Sunday 20 June.

1.4: Waverley Park Collective – Liveable Streets Waverley Park

We first covered this Southside neighbourhood project in Digest 81, Item 1.8. The Liveable Streets project is run by the Waverley Park Collective and had 650 contributors to that first stage. Great to see this from a grassroots group – the depth of consultation and engagement is something the city council could learn from.

The next stage is consulting about three design options to improve road safety. These would use different combinations of filters, traffic calming and ‘pinch points’ to slow down/re-route motor vehicles.

See the Waverley Park options page for summaries of the designs with sliders and comment boxes under each one to give feedback. One of which asks which street you live in so it’s obviously aimed at locals. There are also videos about the options and overall process. It looks like a lot of time and thought has gone into the options and the website.

There’s no obvious closing date but the last stage didn’t last too long.

1.5: East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Rd, Giffnock Spaces for People project

This Spaces for People project aims to deal with road safety and accessibility issues from bad parking to speeding. As in Digest 87, 1.4, it’s about Davieland Rd next to Rouken Glen Park in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

It proposes temporary measures to protect pedestrian and cycling space while retaining car parking. It also has an eye on the future as well. The survey asks about future priorities as well as a reaction to the current proposal.

The background and survey are both on the Davieland Rd consultation page.

1.6: North Lanarkshire Council – East Airdrie Link Road, Stage 2 survey

This project first came up in Digest 56, Item 2.1 (when the planned workshops were cancelled due to COVID-19). It was formerly known as the Airdrie Bypass plan, which is pretty much what it does (to take through traffic away from Chapellhall and Airdrie). However, it will now also connect to the new Monklands Hospital when it’s built at Wester Moffat.

Stage 1 of the project considered various routes. Now, Stage 2 has a preferred route, which is the longest option (going furthest north towards Cumbernauld). There was a workshop about active travel on the route but very few details in this consultation.

See the East Airdrie Link Road, Stage 2 survey for maps and videos of the route to give feedback. No obvious closing date but detailed design is due to start in autumn 2021.

1.7: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion

This wide-ranging project first appeared in Digest 86, 1.2. The ‘Ideas Map‘ for the East Dunbartonshire area has over 300 contributions so far.

There are a few more online consultation events this week (including tonight for Bearsden/Milngavie) then the rest in August/September. See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. The closing date for the whole thing is 28 September.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council – Site to the south of Crawford Street/Rosevale Street /Beith Street planning decision

This development first got a mention in Digest 50, 3.7. The site is next to NCN 7 on the way into Partick. It’s since come back with the city council emailing GoBike about the latest planning decision (Planning Application Reference: 19/02063/PPP). It gives the go ahead for the flats despite local objections – no real surprises there.

However, it comes with a long list of recommendations, including making it a car free development. Also, point ‘p’ is about active travel routes:

“p. A survey of pedestrian and cycle movements on the part of National Cycle Route 7 that falls within the site and that immediately adjacent shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority. The survey shall identify any enhancements to the path required as part of the proposed development to accommodate increased cycle and pedestrian movements associated with the development. Where enhancements are required to maintain pedestrian and cyclist safety, these shall be specified in the survey report. The approved measures shall be completed before any of the dwellings are occupied.”

It’s rare for a UK planning decision to ask for active travel paths to be dealt with before people move in. Paths usually come well after the fact (if at all).

3.2: Dennistoun Community Council – Update on Spaces for People scheme

This detailed update by Dennistoun Community Council was posted in May. Apologies to GoBike member Wesley for its belated appearance in the Digest. Nonetheless, it gives an insight into what went wrong with the Spaces for People scheme in Dennistoun. It never was the ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhood’ the city council claimed as the design didn’t stop ‘through traffic’ (it only had one filter). Severe delays in installation, removing cycle contraflows and chopping/changing the layout (even before it was finished) managed to alienate almost everyone in the area.

What is left are a few one-ways and extended pavements near schools. These have settled down and seem to work reasonably well. However, it is a long way short of what it could have been. After this experience there are question marks about how locals might react to changes in future. It looks like we won’t have long to wait as Dennistoun has been named as part of a ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ pilot area.

3.3: Urban Roots – Malls Mire newsletter May 2021

Malls Mire, between Toryglen and Rutherglen has been making steady progress since first appearing in Digest 74, 3.4. This latest Malls Mire newsletter has news about new paths and other greenspace work across the site.

3.4: Multiplex – Glasgow Uni campus newsletter June 2021

Also progressing, but with a lot more steel and concrete, is Glasgow Uni’s new campus development. They’re already on their June 2021 campus newsletter with news about what’s going in ‘University Square’ and their latest piles.

This Digest is within a week of Burns Night so it’s fitting that we have some news from Ayrshire. A few consultations have come in from East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. Also, a last chance to comment on plans for North Glasgow. So, is 2021 starting to pick up slightly? As Burns said: “Hope springs exulting on triumphant wing.“

Since there have been a few breaks in the weather maybe there will be more chances to try some of Andy’s three infrastructure routes around Glasgow.

There’s still time to sign the petition for segregated cycle lanes at the Kelvin Way-University Avenue junction (until 28 January).

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

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – North Glasgow Strategic Development Framework (SDF), closes 29 January 2021
2. North Ayrshire Council – Ardrossan Connections Project, closes 3 February
3. South Lanarkshire Council – Active travel online consultations, all close 8 February
4. East Refrewshire Council – Spaces for People A77 ‘Bike and Roll’ corridor

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. UPDATE: Glasgow City Council – (Y)our Districts Online Ideas Workshops – ‘Learning Quarter’

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Ayrshire Council – NCN Route 73, Crosshouse Bridge infill, Cycle Diversion

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – North Glasgow Strategic Development Framework (SDF),
(closes 29 January 2021)

It’s the last few weeks of this consultation, which first featured in Digest 74, Item 1.5 with the GoBike response written by Brenda. It covers a large area north of the M8 to Possil and from Maryhill Rd to Springburn. It’s been a while in the making, so much so that the Sighthill Bridge might be completed before the final report is published. However, it is due to cover the next few decades. See the North Glasgow SDF consultation on GCC’s website before 29 January.

1.2: North Ayrshire Council – Ardrossan Connections Project (closes 3 February)

GoBike’s monthly rides would occasionally make it to the Ayrshire coast and Ardrossan has a choice of train stations for the trip back (or a ferry to Arran). Sustrans are running a Commonplace consultation about the town for North Ayrshire Council and Ardrossan Community Development Trust (as spotted by our member Steph).

Ardrossan has coastal off-road paths running past the town – NCN73, from neighbouring Saltcoats, goes to the harbour. NCN753 heads north to the outskirts of West Kilbride. This project seems to focus on the on-road bit between them at the town centre. If you’ve visited or know the area, see the Ardrossan Connections Commonplace map. You’ve only got a few weeks until 3 February.

1.3: South Lanarkshire Council – Active travel online consultations (all close 8 February)

GoBike member Marc alerted us to a new round of active travel consultations in South Lanarkshire. Previous ones included East Kilbride, which had its first section of segregated cycleway laid last year. The next lot of active travel studies are being run by Aecom – these are for:

• Blantyre, Bothwell & Uddingston;
• Larkhall;
• Strathaven & Stonehouse (and surrounding villages).

Strathaven boasts a few cycling clubs and some old railway lines, which could still be used for cycle paths. Stonehouse and Larkhall are linked by on-road sections of NCN74. Blantyre is currently on NCN74 but it’s due to re-route through Strathclyde Park, once a new link is built from the Raith Interchange to Laighlands Rd, Bothwell. Uddingston is where NCN routes 74 and 75 meet. It’s separated from Glasgow by part of North Lanarkshire, where Aecom are also doing an active travel audit. If you’ve ever wanted a cycleway on the Lanarkshire side, to link to the city’s segregated section past the Dog’s Trust, this is a great opportunity to mention it! Especially since GCC are building a new 2-way cycleway on London Rd past Mount Vernon station.

Again, these consultations take the form of a survey and Placecheck map for each area. However, after the issues with petrolheads swamping the comments of the previous Hamilton map, the format has changed slightly. This time, you have to complete the survey before you access the map. See SLC’s active travel consultations page by 8 February.

1.4: East Refrewshire Council – Spaces for People A77 ‘Bike and Roll’ corridor

Since the last Digest there’s been a lot of attention on the Spaces for People measures on Fenwick Rd/A77 in Giffnock (first mentioned in a blog post about East Ren last summer). Or rather, there’s been noise about what they’re not going to be. A local business latched onto a draft plan on the council’s website and posted about the council removing car parking. Many angry posts about car parking and shops ensued on Facebook and in the consultation. In the midst of all this, you may have seen that GoBike member Iona updated one of our Evidence pages – Bike Lanes are Great for Business.

ERC quickly took down the draft document and added a statement to the consultation that it had been there in error and there were no current plans for Giffnock High St. A local Tory MSP later held an online event about the measures on 18 January, which some GoBikers took part in.

What is already in place on Fenwick Rd is ‘soft’ segregation on the outside lanes of a section of the dual carriageway between Berryhill Road and Church Road. It started off as cones before ‘wands’ were fixed down to replace them (upper photo in Twitter post, below). Further on, the current A77 cycle lanes were made mandatory and had cones added. However, some of the cones have been re-arranged by local drivers (lower photos in Twitter post, below)…

So, it seems we will hear more from East Ren on the age old debate about safe cycle lanes versus convenient car parking. If you know the area and want to comment on both these measures on the A77, see ERC Spaces for People surveys. The map is closed but the survey pages don’t seem to list a closing date, so this one could go on for a while.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1: Glasgow City Council – (Y)our Districts Online Ideas Workshops – ‘Learning Quarter’

UPDATE: Online workshops were due to take place for the next city centre ‘Districts’ in GCC’s ongoing series. Unfortunately, the Merchant City date has already passed. However, the planned ‘Learning Quarter’ workshops have been postponed with a new date to follow. These events should be along similar lines to previous Cowcaddens and Townhead workshops covered in Digest 74. Hopefully we’ll have an update in the next Digest at the start of February.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: East Ayrshire Council – NCN Route 73, Crosshouse Bridge infill, Cycle Diversion

This issue was raised by our ride leader Andy, who’s been following up on a programme of works on former railway bridges and viaducts. The Crosshouse Bridge near Knockentiber is on NCN73 between Kilmarnock and Irvine (one of Burns’ old stomping grounds). Diversion routes will be signposted in both directions for drivers but not for cyclists. GoBike have sent a letter by Tricia to East Ayrshire Council to ask for a signed cycle diversion in both directions.

As Burns wrote in ‘To A Mouse (On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough)’:
“The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley.”

Our blog post called it a ‘Low-ish Traffic Neighbourhood’. Does it qualify as an LTN? It’s included in one of Andy’s three infrastructure routes so you may get the chance to see for yourself if you’re in Glasgow.

There’s also a recent petition for segregated cycle lanes at the Kelvin Way-University Avenue junction (open for signing until 28 January). It’s near Hillhead Primary School, which also features for its School Street…

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

Contents
(new consultations in bold)

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – School Streets, Glasgow (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) Order 202_, (closes 11 January 2021)
2. East Dunbartonshire Council – Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), closes 15 January 2021
3. Glasgow City Council – North Glasgow Strategic Development Framework (SDF), closes 29 January 2021
4. Glasgow City Council – Protected Junction Trial consultation (Victoria Rd)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People: Dennistoun Area – Low Traffic Neighbourhood (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order)
2. Glasgow City Council – Lourdes Primary School, Glasgow (Temporary Traffic Regulation) Order 2020
3. NHS Lanarkshire – New Monklands Hospital, preferred site
4. Multiplex/University of Glasgow – Campus Development, December 2020 Newsletter

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – School Streets, Glasgow (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) Order 202_, (closes 11 January 2021)

As covered in Digest 75, Item 1.4 this traffic order makes School Streets trials into a permanent fixture at six primary schools. They are Bankhead PS, Broomhill PS, Hillhead PS, Lourdes PS, Our Lady of the Rosary PS and St Blanes PS. GoBike supports Schools Streets and hopefully we have members near some of these schools who can show support.

1.2: East Dunbartonshire Council – Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2)
(closes 15 January 2021)

If you’re at a loose end over the festive period, and know the East Dunbartonshire area, you still have time to comment on their proposed LDP2 (as seen in Digest 72, Item 1.8). Since EDC installed the first phase of the Bearsway they’ve become the Grinch of active travel as the only mainland council not to bid for Spaces for People funding. If you want to urge them to do better in future developments, see www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP2 and email: development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. 

1.3: Glasgow City Council – North Glasgow Strategic Development Framework (SDF),
(closes 29 January 2021)

North Glasgow SDF is another long term document, which covers a large area north of the M8 to Possil and from Maryhill Rd to Springburn. It’s a part of the city which doesn’t have much cycling infrastructure, unless you count the canal path. Since Stockingfield junction is about to be closed off, it will soon have even less. However, the new lanes on St Rollox Dr (past Sighthill Cemetery) and the recent Spaces for People lanes (on Bilsland Drive and Hawthorn St) show potential. The more of us who tell the council about that, the better. This featured in Digest 74, Item 1.5 with the GoBike response written by Brenda. See the North Glasgow SDF consultation document (PDF) and the online survey. The deadline was extended to 29 January 2021.

1.4: Glasgow City Council – Protected Junction Trial consultation (Victoria Rd)

GCC have a consultation open about the new protected junctions on the South City Way (as seen in Digest 74, Item 1.6). A recent response from Sustrans on Twitter clarified an issue with a CCTV mast (it was supposed to be moved pre-pandemic). Even if they’re not perfect, they’re a first in Glasgow that we’d like to see repeated elsewhere.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None forthcoming this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1: Glasgow City Council – Spaces for People: Dennistoun Area – Low Traffic Neighbourhood (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order)

This is a follow up from the recent GoBike blog about changes in Dennistoun, which quoted this Temporary TRO (as it came in too late to make the last Digest). The order covers the area between Alexandra Parade and Duke St, known locally as The Drives (from the names of most of its east-west streets – Circus Dr, Roslea Dr, etc).

The above is where your editor has lived for about 15 years and was involved in a plan to reduce ‘through’ traffic in The Drives in 2019, along with Michael from Spaces for People Dennistoun (before Sustrans nicked that name). That plan was a grassroots response to all the 1-way streets in GCC’s earlier Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) plan for Dennistoun and Royston. Which in turn followed concerns about more parking being displaced into Dennistoun by the Celtic Park/Emirates Event Day Parking Zone plans. There’s also a history of other parking issues, including around Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the City Park building plus commuters using the area as a ‘park and ride’ to the city centre. Many streets in the Drives have the familiar rows of parked cars down both sides, reducing the road width and visibility.

The parking plans have been shelved since all the Roads staff in GCC were redeployed to the Sustrans-funded Spaces for People program. This probably explains the similarities between some 1-ways in the RPZ plan and the new Dennistoun Spaces for People measures.

It may also explain the use of 1-way streets to re-route ‘through’ traffic. Many active travel advocates would expect an LTN to stop rat running altogether. The Sustrans definition of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood is:

“…a scheme where motor vehicle traffic in residential streets is greatly reduced. This is done by minimising the amount of traffic that comes from vehicles using the streets to get to another destination. This is often referred to as ‘through-traffic’ or ‘rat-running’.

Private motorised vehicles still have easy access to all homes and businesses without driving directly through the neighbourhood.

This opens up networks of streets so people can safely travel through the area on foot, bicycle, by wheeling or by bus. Emergency vehicles can also be prioritised to reach their destinations quicker.

Traffic is reduced by using temporary or permanent barriers called “modal filters”. These can include putting up bollards or planters. Or they can be camera operated. Residents and businesses still have access to the neighbourhood by motor vehicle using different routes, but through-traffic is greatly reduced.”

Glasgow City Council’s TTRO contains the grand total of one modal filter (on Ark Lane). In your editor’s opinion, this is four filters short of an LTN. Stopping drivers taking shortcuts through the area would cut down traffic to just residents and deliveries. Allowing it through spreads traffic around the neighbourhood without properly calming the streets. Also, some drivers don’t follow established ‘No Entry’ signs let alone new ones.

The most eye-catching parts of the scheme are probably the extended pavement sections outside Alexandra Parade and St Denis’s primary schools. A row of planter boxes in the road will stop car parking around the school gates on Armadale St and Meadowpark St. This should improve road safety for schoolchildren. Outside the barriers, a painted cycle contraflow lane will go next to the existing road lane. Elsewhere the 1-way sections will allow contraflow cycling but without any marked lanes; just signage.

The rest of the order is mostly about short 1-way sections and double yellow lines near schools and nurseries. However, it also extends lines further on Ark Lane and Broomfield Drive than on the original drawing. There was no explanation but an educated guess is it might be to let bin lorries turn.

Like other SfP projects, the council used emergency powers so they didn’t have to consult local people (they may count Glasgow’s Spaces for People Commonplace map as consultation). This created a lot of confusion around the plans. The reaction online saw some support on Twitter but a lot of negative posts on Facebook. Many complained about loss of car parking and lack of consultation. The council’s ‘map’ (really a technical drawing) didn’t help so your editor produced a new map instead.

Work on signage, barriers, etc. was supposed to be finished before Christmas (but seems to be behind schedule). The temporary trial will last about three months. It remains to be seen how people in cars and on bikes will react to the new cycle contraflows. However, it is a first step towards making the Drives a better place to walk and cycle (if a faltering one). Time will tell if GCC’s scheme brings the benefits recorded in many London LTNs.

3.2: Glasgow City Council – Lourdes Primary School, Glasgow (Temporary Traffic Regulation) Order 2020

Following on from the permanent orders, above, is this Temporary TRO for Lourdes Primary School in the Cardonald area. It seems to add double yellow lines to part of the entrance road to the school (after the roundabout). That’s about it, really.

3.3: NHS Lanarkshire – New Monklands Hospital, preferred site

The latest part of the process to choose a new hospital site was mentioned in Digest 71. A GoBike response in the next Digest was in favour of the Wester Moffat site for active travel.

On 16th December, Lanarkshire NHS Board approved Wester Moffat as its preferred site.

A hospital being built at Wester Moffat brings a lot of potential for improvements to NCN75. The site is just east of Airdrie between the current Wester Moffat community hospital (off Towers Rd) and Easter Moffat golf course. NCN75 is currently on the busy A89 past the site. The off-road route following the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line begins near Caldercruix. If a new off-road path could link Drumgelloch station to the new hospital and Caldercruix it would greatly improve safety and encourage more people to cycle to work, appointments or visiting.

The new East Airdrie Link Road is due to cut through the site (north-south) and was much more of a factor than cycling. However, the Fairer Scotland Duty report, which GoBike referenced, was mentioned a lot in the Board meeting. The new hospital could help regeneration in nearby neighbourhoods like Craigneuk and villages like Plains.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman, has the final decision. Even if it’s approved, it will be several years before the hospital and any new transport links are built.

3.4: Multiplex/University of Glasgow – Campus Development, November 2020 Newsletter

Another few pages of updates in the December 2020 Newsletter. If nothing else, the newsletter helps identify Uni buildings that you’ve seen but never knew what they were called. This month it’s the Pontecorvo building, the Brutalist concrete tower on the corner of Church St and Dumbarton Rd. If you don’t like it, don’t worry; it’s about to be demolished!

Talking of seeing the back of things, this is the last 2020 Digest. This year’s horrendous circumstances obviously overshadow everything. However, the Spaces for People programme created around 10km of ‘soft segregated’ cycle lanes in Glasgow. These have offered protection to hundreds of new Nextbike users and thousands of people who returned to cycling in and around the city.

If you’re wondering where to ride in Glasgow over the festive period, why not try out some of the above on Andy’s three infrastructure routes?

Take care and hope you can still have a Merry Christmas and a Guid New Year.

This is a huge opportunity. In the past, many parts of East Ren have often felt like a hostile and dangerous place for people on bikes – yet the sheer number and diversity of people seen out enjoying walking and cycling during lockdown have shown just how much of a difference safer, low-traffic spaces can make. Almost 100,000 people live in the East Ren council area and with reduced capacity on public transport likely for the foreseeable future, safe routes for active travel are critical to avoid further locking in car-dependency.

So what’s on the cards?

East Renfrewshire have recently released their Transport Response to Covid-19 for community feedback: read on for more details for each area. There are a number of plans for specific areas for the short to medium term, plus some general measures for the longer term like Neighbourhood Zones and School Streets.

As always, the proof is in the pudding and the devil is in the…implementation – but these are really promising proposals. The change can be a hard sell for local politicians, especially since support is often less vocal than resistance – so if you like what you see, please let East Renfrewshire council and your local councillors know!

If you live, work, or travel in East Renfrewshire, please consider:

• Adding your feedback on the proposals via the community map here,
• Suggesting other specific routes here,
• Contacting your local councillor here – https://www.writetothem.com/.

Giffnock

In Giffnock, Phase 1 measures include widening pavements at key pinch points on Fenwick Road to allow for better physical distancing, as well as a stretch of ‘pop-up’ cycle lane further south between the train station and Eastwood Park. This is a really exciting development as it’s a key commuter route as well as linking up community facilities like the school, park, leisure centre and library…but in phase 2, it gets even better!

A proposed ‘strategic cycle corridor 2’ would link Newton Mearns to Giffnock by:

• Reallocating road space (and converting some existing painted lanes) to a light segregation cycleway – that is, one separated from traffic by the use of batons or small humps like these,
• Reducing speed on Ayr Road from 40mph to 30mph.

….whilst maintaining bus access and liaising with Glasgow City Council about cross-boundary links. 

A further stretch of light segregation cycleway – strategic cycle corridor 4 – would link Eastwood Toll to Spiersbridge Roundabout, connecting more communities and enabling safe access to Rouken Glen Park for people on bikes.  Just off this, Davieland Road is proposed to change to one-way, to prevent rat running and excessive speeding. This includes a light segregated cycle way which, with the space gained from redetermining this to one way, we would encourage planners to be unidirectional on both sides of the road, safely buffered from the park parking bays, and out of the current extremely poorly surfaced painted cycle lane.

These corridors would be a fantastic community resource to enable many more people to choose cycling for everyday journeys, and to allow the amazing increase in leisure cycling seen during lockdown to continue (see graph below).

Netherlee & Clarkston

Netherlee and Clarkston have to wait til Phase 2 but they also get a Strategic Cycle Corridor of their own, this time between Clarkston Toll and the entrance to Linn Park. This is a very welcome development, especially given the connections it will create to the local primary school – but we can’t help but wish it was more than 1 mile long (an average of 5 minutes on a bike).

In particular, there’s a real need to continue the corridor onwards towards Cathcart, Shawlands, and the city centre if more people are going to be able to choose bikes over cars for commuting, shopping, and socialising. 

Also, the stretch near the entrance Linn Park where this cycleway is currently planned to end has a solid island median in the middle of the road that encourages close passing or tailgating of people cycling – we would encourage planners to extend the segregation through this section in order to prevent this.

Thronliebank

A number of measures are proposed in and around Thornliebank, with phase one seeing on-street parking reallocated on Main St to provide space for social distancing for those accessing shops and services.

Measures in Phase 2 focus on the roads around Spiersbridge roundabout, next to Rouken Glen Park. As well as the proposed strategic cycle route along Spiersbridge Road (covered above in Giffnock section), there are proposals to close Rouken Glen Rd to through vehicular traffic.

This route predominantly functions as a shortcut (aka rat run) for vehicles avoiding Spiersbridge roundabout. This is a welcome proposal for anyone who has had to negotiate Spiersbridge roundabout on a bicycle, or indeed tried to cross the two lane carriageway on foot or wheeling. This will also provide a direct link to the proposed strategic cycle corridor along Spiersbridge Road to Eastwood Toll, ultimately linking up to the route on the A77 Fenwick Road.

There are limited details on measures being rolled out in Thornliebank from Phase 3 onwards. We would encourage planners to consider a strategic active travel corridor along the B769- potentially linking Dams to Darnley country park, Rouken Glen Park and Pollok Park together, and linking up to other active travel routes.

Barrhead & Neilston

The Main Street in Barrhead has promising proposals to reallocate on-street parking bays to make space for a segregated cycle lane. The plans show this stretching from Dovecothall Roundabout to Allan’s Corner.

This section of the town currently has an abundance of carparks a few steps from the main road that make this a really viable possibility. Traffic doesn’t flow well here at the moment due to cars pulling in and out of on-street parking, and reallocating on-street parking to an active travel corridor would not only help the traffic flow more easily, but would make the town safer and more attractive for people travelling to and through it on bikes.

A partially traffic free link is proposed with a full road closure that could link Barrhead to Neilston via a backroad. The full closure is proposed for Springfield Road between the ‘Five Ways Junction’ at Springfield Road and Kirktonfield Crescent.

While we would prefer direct arterial routes that are more likely to increase modal share in cycling uptake, this proposal could bridge a gap that would open up access between the towns as well as Dams to Darnley Country Park for some people. 

A number of other short road closures to improve pedestrian safety are also proposed for Barrhead within phase two, which are worth commenting on if it’s an area you know.

Looking further ahead…

Looking further ahead, the plan also mentions some exciting options in phase 3, including:

• Neighbourhood Zones (reducing traffic in residential streets by reducing through routes whilst maintaining local access)
• School Zones (limiting traffic around schools at key times to ensure child safety and a more pleasant environment)
• a truly connected active travel network…we can but dream! 

Get commenting, tweeting, and speaking to your elected members, to show your support for a safer, healthier, greener post-Covid future in East Renfrewshire…and consider joining GoBike to support safer streets as our new normal.