The People & Place Programme Community Fund supports organisations delivering small-scale projects (£5,000 – £50,000) at a community level which aligns with five key themes: Schools and Young People, Workplaces, Accessibility and Inclusion, Capacity and Capability and Supporting Sustainable Transport.

Projects being delivered under each of themes will be working to encourage behaviour change from traditional car use to more sustainable modes of transport, and initiatives vary from small infrastructure changes such as cycle storage installations, to cycle lessons and led bike rides, management of bike loan schemes, as well as skills building opportunities, increasing capacity and capability across the sector and region.

Organisations funded include Clyde Cycle Park, Living Lab CIC, Getting Better Together, Parents for the Future Scotland and Cycling Without Age.

Source: https://www.spt.co.uk/about-us/news/spt-awards-450-000-to-sustainable-transport-projects/

Some major consultations for Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and the wider region (via Clyde Metro), so time for an update…

East Dunbartonshire

Westerhill Development Road – Revised Design

EDC Consultations page says “details coming soon”?
Deadline: Monday 24 February 2025.

Glasgow City

Custom House Quay & Carlton Place – Community Engagement Phase 2

See information boards showing plans (Google Drive). The public consultation event has already passed but the online survey is open. See further background on the project website.
Deadline: Thursday 13 February 2025.

Glasgow City Network – Inner North and South

Consultation on additional routes – see Inner North and South storymap for plans and feedback form.

In-person events:

• Wednesday 5 February: 14:00 – 16:00 and 17:00 – 20:00
  Destiny Church, Gym Hall, 1120 Pollokshaws Road G41 3QP
• Thursday 6 February: 16:00 – 19:00
  Pollokshields Library, 30 Leslie St, Glasgow G41 2LF
• Monday 10 February: 15:00 – 18:00
  Spirit of Springburn Community Hub, Springburn Shopping Centre
• Tuesday 18 February: 15:00 – 19:00
  Clay Community Church / Café, Bardowie Street Hall, 206 Bardowie Street G22 5AB

No obvious deadline but Stage 2 finishes in March.

ADDITION: Saracen Street Active Travel Project

Segregated route either on Balmore Rd and part of Saracen St or a ‘Cyclestreet’ behind shops – round Sunnylaw St and along Carbeth St (next to new development). The rest would be a “mixed traffic route” on Hamiltonhill Rd towards canal/Garscube Rd.
See Saracen St storymap (note: link to PDF plans in Storymap doesn’t seem to work).

Public drop-in session (as above for Inner North, City Network):
Tuesday 18 February: 15:00-19:00 at Bardowie Street Hall, 206 Bardowie St, G22 5AB

Deadline: 10 March 2025

Forthcoming consultation – Connecting Battlefield

We’ve heard revised plans are due at some point this month in Spring.

Glasgow City Region

Clyde Metro – Vision, Objectives and Options Webinar

Update about network options and the Case for Investment (CFI). See Clyde Metro: Progress Update Stakeholder Engagement (PDF), Clyde Metro – Case for Change and Network Options Non-Technical Summary and SPT project page.

Network map options (see image links in Summary document, above):

• Option A – Light Rapid Transit (Bus Rapid Transit, Tram, and Tram/Train), shared LRT/heavy rail and converted heavy rail;
• Option B – Light Rapid Transit (more new links);
• Option C – less LRT, more converted heavy rail (fewer new links);
• Option D – Light Rapid Transit, shared LRT/heavy rail.

Online events – registration:

• Tuesday 4 February: 11:00 – 11:45 (MS Teams)
• Thursday 6 February: 15:00 – 15:45 (MS Teams)

Inverclyde

Kirn Drive Consultation

Improvements to Kirn Drive and Staffa Street – proposals for one-way westbound.
Deadline: Friday 7 February 2025.

North Lanarkshire

Local Transport Strategy (2025–2035)

Consultation on “key problems, issues and opportunities relating to transport and travel across North Lanarkshire that you are currently experiencing”. There should be plenty to talk about after the issues with NLC’s Active Travel Strategy (only building widened pavement/shared path routes) and their recent road building programme.
See the LTS online survey (or paper copies in libraries).
Deadline: Monday 17 February 2025.

Tell us about your place

Gathering views to inform North Lanarkshire’s Local Development Plan – TUAYP web page and online survey (adult).

In-person events:

• Coatbridge Library, 3 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Airdrie Library, 4 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Wishaw Library, 5 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Cumbernauld Library, 6 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Kilsyth Library, 7 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Shotts Library, 10 February, 12pm – 2:30pm
• Motherwell Library, 11 February, 11am – 1:30pm
• Chryston Library, 12 February, 2pm – 4:30pm
• Bellshill Library, 13 February, 11am – 1:30pm

Deadline: 28 February 2025

Core paths plan consultation

Review of 2011 plan – Core paths web page and paths online survey (via ETHOS).
Deadline: 6 April 2025.

South Lanarkshire

No consultations but works are underway to add traffic signals in Hamilton on Gateside Street/Johnstone Road. Part of a City Deal programme according to a South Lanarkshire View article (no obvious consultation or plans online).

Ellie Harrison, GoBike member and Chair of Get Glasgow Moving, shares her view about SPT’s Regional Active Travel Strategy consultation which closes this Sunday 1 September.

Featured image: ‘Dutch’-style junction on protected cycleway – West Mains Rd/Torrance Rd, by East Kilbride train station, South Lanarkshire (Sept 2023).

The Regional ATS sets out three ambitious targets which are meant to be delivered by 2030:

• Target 1: By 2030, car kilometres in the region will be reduced by at least 20%.
• Target 2: By 2030, transport emissions will be reduced by at least 53% from the 2019 baseline.
• Target 3: By 2030, at least 45% of all journeys will be made by means other than the private car as the main mode (p.31).

Yet the Strategy itself runs to 2038 with many of the proposed interventions being ‘long-term’ in that they won’t be fully-delivered until the end of the Strategy’s term. It is therefore highly unlikely that these three targets will be met by 2030 without proper investment and an accelerated delivery plan.

Cost of Transport

In order to achieve modal shift to sustainable forms of transport on the scale that is necessary by 2030, the cost of transport must be regulated. This is so that it aligns with the ‘Sustainable Travel Hierarchy’ which is the guiding principle of both Transport Scotland’s NTS2 and SPT’s Regional ATS (p.25). This means ensuring that cycle hire is always cheaper than public transport, and that public transport is always considerably cheaper than taxis and private car use.

In order to deliver this, it is vital that SPT takes over the governance of the cycle hire scheme (currently managed by Glasgow City Council and run by German company NextBike/Tier). Transport for London (TfL) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) already run the schemes in their respective city-regions. It is essential that we have one consistent cycle hire scheme rolled out across the whole of Strathclyde (not a hotchpotch of various schemes). This is so that commuters by rail or bus from one local authority to another can easily use bikes at either end of their journey.

“Only a fully-integrated system… will be capable of delivering modal shift on the scale we need to see.”

Ellie Harrison, Get Glasgow Moving

SPT governance of the cycle hire scheme should ensure it can deliver an integrated payment system across all modes, with an affordable daily price cap. Provided that the region’s bus network (and its suburban rail network) is also brought under SPT’s control – as is the ambition of the concurrent Regional Bus Strategy. SPT could also deliver an integrated journey planning app (like TfGM’s new Bee Network app) which shows cycle hire stations and availability alongside bus/tram routes, stops and live timetables. It recommends the quickest/cheapest multi-modal journey from A to B. This is what is required to achieve SPT’s stated aim of “Integrating Walking, Wheeling and Cycling with Public Transport” (p.33). And it’s only a fully-integrated system, like that currently being rolled out by TfGM, which will be capable of delivering modal shift on the scale we need to see.

In order to “promote and incentivise active travel” (p.39) it is also vital that people using their own bikes do not face additional costs – i.e. secure cycle storage should always be provided free of charge.

Access

In terms of “Promotion, Travel Behaviour Change, and Information” (p.39-40) it is important to prioritise schools, where we have the opportunity to normalise cycling for all young people as they are growing up. Every child in every school in Strathclyde should complete Bikeability training and be able to borrow a bike from their school to use on a daily basis. This policy should be looked at in conjunction with the local authorities’ and SPT’s statutory duty to provide free transport to schools. It may be possible to save costs and deliver better health outcomes if some of this is done by active travel, particularly if organised on mass as a ‘Bike Bus’.

The normalisation of active travel will only truly happen as a generational shift, which is why it is vital to focus on education and training for children and young people. Alongside building the Regional Active Travel Network, this is what will make cycling safe and accessible to all.

SPT Board

The Regional ATS is an important document. Its aim to create a “regional active travel network which is safe and attractive for all users, and that offers an inclusive way for people to travel actively regardless of age, gender, or disability” (p.34) will be transformational for Strathclyde if/when it’s fully delivered. It is therefore a serious concern that SPT’s Board members do not appear to have read the Strategy or to understand the vital role that active travel plays in any fully-integrated public transport system. Recent comments from SPT Board members in Strategy & Programmes Committee meetings bemoaned the amount of Scottish Government funding going into active travel. This is despite the fact millions of pounds of this funding is now being channelled through SPT! These illustrate that senior figures like the Chair and Vice Chairs seem to be ignorant of this area, which threatens to undermine the delivery of the Strategy.

In order to overcome this, two urgent actions are necessary:

1. To use the spare capacity for appointed members on the SPT Board (currently only 7 out of a possible 9 seats are filled) to bring in people with specific expertise in active travel (i.e. representatives from GoBike, Cycling Scotland or Sustrans), and,
2. To ensure all SPT Board members undertake Bikeability training. As far as we are aware, there are only two current Board members (Cllr John Ross from South Lanarkshire, and Cllr Christy Mearns from Glasgow) who have any experience of cycling and/or use a bike as their main mode of transport. Such training can be done in an inclusive way by using fully-accessible bikes like those available at Free Wheel North, and will be vital for enabling Board members to properly appreciate the problems with current active travel provision and the need for urgent investment.

Despite the clear ambition set out in the Strategy, SPT currently lacks any visible leadership in active travel. And so when the Regional Bus Strategy and the Regional ATS are ready for implementation, SPT should also seek to adopt the delivery model being deployed by TfGM with two high-profile and qualified Commissioners. In Greater Manchester, Dame Sarah Storey as the Active Travel Commissioner works alongside Vernon Everitt as the Transport Commissioner (overseeing bus franchising). They are able to give an equal platform to the different sustainable transport modes and to oversee and ensure total integration across them.

Update: see Ellie’s Scottish Parliament petition – PE2116: Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers. Further info on the Get Glasgow Moving website.

There are a few additions in this issue as we come out of holiday time. However, a recent GoBike meeting raised wider questions about the Digest (and GoBike itself).

For a while during the pandemic, updates from the Digest (and, when allowed, monthly rides) were the only parts of GoBike still going. However, the form the Digest takes needs to work for growing GoBike’s membership/reaching a new audience (especially online).

Feedback at the meeting cast doubt over the role of the Digest. Partly as some people didn’t seem to read it (thinking it was monthly or a general newsletter). But also the opinion that it needed more emphasis on which consultations were the important ones to respond to. That’s a fair comment that this issue tries to address.

Other ideas from the meeting suggested an appetite for more updates about the (many) infrastructure works going on in and around Glasgow. (I’ve dipped a toe in the water on that with a recent tweet about progress on Pitt St/Holland St.) Other points included news about events (like the Aye Cycle Network event on 20 August) and there was a kind offer of an update about the latest research on cycling/active travel. That seems to point towards a broader newsletter, rather than the Digest’s narrower focus on consultations.

Other online newsletters like #BikeIsBest or edi.bike seem like a possible template to follow? (Although this graphic designer probably would prefer a few more visuals!) While the meeting spent some time talking about social media, I know many members don’t use it or apps, smartphones, etc. and email is still probably the most democratic way to reach people.

However, I have to be honest that I don’t think I could commit to a weekly update (I’m not sure how long I can keep doing a fortnightly one!). Would a more general, monthly newsletter work better (with ad hoc posts to cover any shorter term consultations)? Would you be willing to help contribute (even just sending in local news/photos of recent works in your area, for example)?

Please send your thoughts about the above to: consultations@gobike.org.

Featured Consultation

SPT Draft Regional Active Travel Strategy

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

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

1.1: Elderslie For Everyone – Main Road workshop

Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: In-person workshops, run by Sustrans, to gather ideas/suggestions about improving Main Road, Elderslie.
Event: Thursday 15 August, 3pm – 7pm in Elderslie Village Hall, Stoddard Square, PA5 9AS.
Website links: Elderslie for Everyone Commonplace website.
Deadline: 15 August 2024.

1.2: Loudoun Castle and Estate Draft Supplementary Guidance

Council: East Ayrshire.
Subject: The estate around the derelict Loudoun Castle, between Galston and Newmilns (by the A71).
Website links: Loudoun Castle and Estate Draft Supplementary Guidance (PDF).
Deadline: 16 August 2024.

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

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

1.4: Tell Us About Your Place (West Dunbartonshire)

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

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

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

None we’re aware of this time.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming

Subject: GCC emailed to say they’d ‘made’ (enacted) the TRO for North Hanover St/Kyle St. This probably means the works for the N Hanover St Avenue will start shortly (once Byres Rd Phase 1 is complete?).
Website links: GCC Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders and GCC Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.

3.2: North Lanarkshire TROs

Subject: TRO to add a Puffin crossing on Drumcavel Road (A752) at the eastern edge of Muirhead. The reason for the location seems to be the existing bus stop on the north side of the road and new housing being built south of Drumcavel Rd.
Website links: Drumcavel Road, Muirhead – Puffin Crossing webpage and Drumcavel Road TRO plan (PDF).

Paris is in the spotlight for sport but maybe also the rapid transformation of the cities’ streets under mayor Anne Hidalgo. Glasgow sees some progress of its own – the South City Way officially open to Trongate and Byres Rd phase 1 nearing completion. The city council’s survey on behaviour campaigns closes soon.

Renfrewshire have their own milestone with the upgraded route from Erskine to Glasgow Airport. Will SPT’s Regional Active Travel Strategy bring big changes for cycling in towns like Motherwell, pictured (see 2.1)? Elsewhere, there are consultations relating to Local Development Plans in East Ayrshire; both North and South Lanarkshire; and West Dunbartonshire. Also, a few Traffic Orders…

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

1.1: Sustainable Transport Behaviour Change Campaigns 23/24

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Survey to help the evaluate two campaigns: ‘Let’s Look Out for Each Other’ and ‘Don’t be a Bus Blocker’. The former is similar to previous ‘share with care’ campaigns in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic (although it comes after Highway Code changes in 2022). The video shows idealised, polite reactions on road/lane/pavement (including what appears to be the South West City Way extension on St Andrews Drive). The latter is a poster/bus ad campaign specifically about cars/vans parking at bus stops. While these might not win any awards they do address issues with road use and car parking that don’t get much attention. So, it may be worth supporting the principle behind the campaigns even if we have criticisms of the actual ads themselves.
Website links: Sustainable Transport Behaviour Change Campaigns survey.
Deadline: 28 July 2024.

1.2: Loudoun Castle and Estate Draft Supplementary Guidance

Council: East Ayrshire.
Subject: The estate around the derelict Loudoun Castle, between Galston and Newmilns (by the A71). The main focus is development on the estate but the guidance does mention active travel (once!): “Proposals should utilise and expand on existing public transport and active travel networks…” The plans are a wider part of EAC’s Local Development Plan 2. A message from EAC says there’s an online survey (but doesn’t seem to provide a link). You can email them at localdevelopmentplans@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Website links: Loudoun Castle and Estate Draft Supplementary Guidance (PDF).
Deadline: 16 August 2024.

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

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: Supplementary guidance topic papers for NL LDP2. Batch 3 consultation includes:
– Policy 3 Biodiversity, Policy 4 Natural Places & Policy 20 Blue and Green Infrastructure.
– Policy 22 Flood Risk and Water Management.
– Policy 30 Tourism.
The papers quote sources of evidence (national guidance/bodies) and summarise the current situation in North Lanarkshire for various headings. They then decide if these topics will have any “locally specific policy” or be dealt with according to National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). Spoiler alert – only tourism might get local guidance in LDP2. There’s an online survey to fill in (which wants a name and contact). Batch 4 is due to include topic papers on Sustainable Transport; Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods; and Infrastructure First.
Featured: Digest 158, 1.6 (Batch 1 – we seem to have missed Batch 2, apologies).
Website links: NL LDP2 Topic Papers Consultation webpage and Topic Paper Consultation – Batch 3 survey.
Deadline: 29 August 2024.

1.4: SPT Draft Regional Active Travel Strategy

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

1.5: Tell Us About Your Place (West Dunbartonshire)

Council: West Dunbartonshire.
Subject: A survey based on the Place Standard tool to ‘score’ areas of the county. WDC say: “results of the survey will inform a number of the councils services and strategies, including: the Local Development Plan, Locality Plans, Open Space Strategy, and Play Sufficiency Assessment.”
Events – In Person drop-in (with presentation at 4.30pm):
– Concord Centre (Dumbarton), 25 July 2024, 3pm – 7pm
– Alexandria Community Centre, 28 August 2024, 3pm – 7pm
– Dalmuir Community Centre, 11 September 2024, 3pm – 7pm.
Virtual Drop-in events: 28 August, 10am – 11:30am and 3 September, 6:30pm – 8pm.
Website links: Tell Us About Your Place webpage (including survey link).
Deadline: 30 September 2024.

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

Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Plan to “set out how our places will look in the future including where new homes and workplaces could be built and the areas that will be protected. There will be a strong emphasis on improving the quality of places as well as addressing the challenges of climate change and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.”
Website links: South Lanarkshire View article and LDP3 webpage (including survey link).
Deadline: 30 September 2024.

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

2.1: Motherwell town centre – paths and crossings improvements

Council: North Lanarkshire.
Subject: West Hamilton Street (A721), Motherwell. A busy street with shopping centre/loading bays on one side and Lidl/housing on the other. Pavements vary from wide to narrow to non-existent. Works are due to start this week to improve pedestrian crossings, pavements and bus stop laybys. Apparently “widening sections of the existing paths to enable shared use for walking, wheeling and cycling and widening the pedestrian and cyclist crossings, including the roundabout island at Hamilton Road.” There’s no further detail but it may be similar to other works by NLC further north on Muir St and elsewhere in Wishaw and Airdrie. The space could be used for cycletracks but NLC all but ruled out on-road infrastructure in their Active Travel Strategy (apparently this comes from the top).

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Subject: On 1 July, EDC ‘made’ (implemented) a TRO which increased charges at car parks in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie.
Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: North Lanarkshire TROs

Subject: TRO to add a Puffin crossing on Drumcavel Road (A752) at the eastern edge of Muirhead. The reason for the location seems to be the existing bus stop on the north side of the road and new housing being built south of Drumcavel Rd.
Website links: Drumcavel Road, Muirhead – Puffin Crossing webpage and Drumcavel Road TRO plan (PDF).

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

1.1: Ayrshire Central, Irvine – Final plans

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

1.2: Gallowhill, Paisley – proposed one-way system

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

1.3: Regional Active Travel Strategy

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

1.4: City Centre Strategy

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

1.5: My Neighbourhood, My City – Place Standard Survey

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

1.6: North East Active Travel Routes (NEATR) UPDATED

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

1.7: East Kilbride town centre: A new vision

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

1.8: Waiting to Happen (junctions consultation)

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

Section 2: Consultation Feedback

None this time.

Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders

3.1: East Dunbartonshire TROs

Website links: East Dunbartonshire TROs.

3.2: Glasgow City TROs & Traffic Calming

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

3.3: North Lanarkshire TROs

Website links: North Lanarkshire Live Consultations.

Regional Active Travel Strategy

Organisation: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
Subject: SPT are the public body who run Glasgow Subway and fund/co-ordinate some other travel services including bus routes and active travel routes (without always reconciling the two). For example, SPT were a funder for recent Dutch-style cycle junction works on the A77 Ayr Road. However, they also funded the 9-lane Pollok roundabout redesign and they’re a key partner in the Strategic Bus Partnership, whose bus lanes on key routes like Maryhill Rd and Paisley Rd West may conflict with protected cycle routes. They’re developing a regional Active Travel Strategy (ATS) and Network & Infrastructure Delivery Plan (DP). These follow their recently published Regional Transport Strategy (A Call to Action, 2023-2038). SPT want to hear “feedback on the key opportunities and problems associated with walking, wheeling and cycling across the west of Scotland.”
SPT online webinar – Monday 30th October from 6.30pm to 8pm on Microsoft Teams.
Website links: Regional Active Travel Strategy webpage, ‘project purpose’ Storymap and ATS public survey.
Deadline: 12 November 2023.

City Centre Strategy

Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: City Centre Strategy (CCS) 2024-2030 “brings together the “Big Moves” that will transform Glasgow’s city centre in the short to medium term.” The consultation questions will ask about these and: “three thematic pillars which will enrich the inherited features of Glasgow’s City Centre and shape a new cycle of shared opportunity: Magnetic Experience, Front Door for Innovation and A Place to Live.” Redevelopment includes both Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre (see featured image), major housing developments along the Clyde, further Avenues and recommendations from the District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs).
Website links: City Centre Strategy document (PDF, 7.6MB) and CCS survey.
Featured: Digest 128, 1.4 (DRFs).
Deadline: 3 December 2023.

Glasgow’s Spaces for People consultation has ended but East Ren’s marches on. Near their border there’s a new 20mph zone. A new road and active travel networks in Lanarkshire, ‘Discussion’ continues in East Dunbartonshire and more post-match analysis from Dennistoun.

Infrastructure Update

• It’s good to see more Bikehangars going in across Glasgow but many are in inconvenient places, like blocking a filter in the Southside or near an entrance to Queen’s Park. Some have been placed on the road but even then can be installed in front of drop kerbs, etc.
• Garscube Rd landscaping is in place as well as more bike warning lights at side roads.
• Further north, near Firhill St, the new Garscube Link to the canal is taking shape.
• Royston Rd pop-up lane seems to be finished but some locals aren’t happy with the lane widths and new road layout at Broomfield Rd junction.

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow City Council – Burnfield Road (20mph Speed Limit) Order (9 July)
2. East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Road Spaces for People project
3. North Lanarkshire Council – East Airdrie Link Road, Stage 2 survey
4. East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion (ends 28 Sept)

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll, GoBike response
2. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – Regional Transport Strategy
3. South Lanarkshire Council – Active Travel networks
4. Dennistoun Community Council – Further update on Spaces for People scheme

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

1.1: Glasgow City Council – Burnfield Road (20mph Speed Limit) Order

The order covers a former brownfield site near the Glasgow boundary with East Renfrewshire. It’s off Thornliebank Road near the train station and Eastwood cemeteries. See the Burnfield Road area plan and site boundary PDFs for exact location.

The report for the Burnfield Rd order says it’s applying recent policies to set a 20mph limit for a new development (Storey Grove – apparently before it’s completed). Other documents include a press notice and the usual statement of reasons.

Deadline for feedback – 9 July 2021.

1.2: East Renfrewshire Council – Davieland Road Spaces for People project

First discussed in Digest 87, Item 1.4, Davieland Rd is next to Rouken Glen Park in Giffnock. This Spaces for People project includes a temporary bike lane in one direction, bollards to protect a footway and a bike phase at traffic lights. A few GoBike members have been to try it out and reported a few issues with triggering the bike phase at the lights.

You can leave feedback about the scheme on the ERC’s Davieland Rd survey (no closing date is mentioned).

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

This is a trunk road project that will bypass Chapelhall and Airdrie, as seen in Digest 88, Item 1.6. Active travel links were promised but details are scarce so far, apart from that they may be “separate” (possibly though Airdrie).

The road will link to the new Monklands hospital site at Wester Moffat, near Drumgelloch train station. In Digest 72, Item 3.1 we published the GoBike response about the hospital consultation, mentioning the on-road section of NCN75 nearby. Word has reached us that paths to improve the area have been discussed. Nothing official to report yet but fingers crossed for the future.

Meanwhile, see the East Airdrie Link Road, Stage 2 survey to give feedback about its route. 

1.4: East Dunbartonshire Council – Active Travel Discussion

This was in Digest 86, Item 1.2, including its ‘Ideas Map‘ for the East Dunbartonshire area. While East Dunbartonshire Council haven’t completed the Bears Way or done any Spaces for People schemes, Items 3.1 and 3.2, below, show they have done other active travel projects. However, these are still quite a long way from forming a comprehensive network and linking with neighbouring areas like Glasgow or North Lanarkshire.

There are no consultation events just now – the next online ones were due in August/September. See a full list of events and background info on the Active Travel Discussion webpage. Closing date – 28 September 2021.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

None this time.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 East Dunbartonshire Council – Canniesburn Toll, GoBike response

First covered in Digest 86, Item 1.3, there were two design options – one on-road and one on the footway. Both had serious drawbacks and sparked discussion about how the roundabout could be improved. That informed the GoBike response about Canniesburn Toll, which has now been sent to East Dumbartonshire Council. We’ll report back if there’s any response from EDC.

3.2: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – Regional Transport Strategy

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is a regional transport partnership, which runs the Glasgow Subway and some specialist bus services. We don’t often feature SPT, as they’re not usually the main funders putting forward infrastructure proposals. However, one of their Regional Transport Strategy documents lists the active travel projects funded by SPT across the former Strathclyde region (tucked away at Section 5, Table 2a, item 5). To save you scrolling, here is the summary…

“Actions and Projects:

Support delivery of improved active travel infrastructure and networks across Strathclyde including supporting actions within local authority cycling & active travel strategies.

Update and Status:

A number of cycling projects have been completed or progressed by local authorities in the region with support from SPT since 2018/19, including:

• Argyll and Bute: Helensburgh – Dumbarton regional cycle route: completion of design phase for the remaining 6 sections, land purchase of 2 sections and construction of 1 section.
• East Ayrshire: Completion of the detailed design for Kilmarnock – Crosshouse Hospital cycle route.
• East Dunbartonshire: Completion of: Lenzie Station Sustainable Transport Hub; Twechar path improvements; local links to Meadowburn Primary School, Bishopbriggs; links to the John Muir Way/NCN755 and between Forth and Clyde Canal and Kirkintilloch Town Centre; Milngavie – Mugdock path improvements; and progress Lennoxtown Access Improvements including improved local network links to NCN 755.
• East Renfrewshire: Completion of 1km shared use path in Barrhead.
• Glasgow: Delivery of improvements to signage, wayfinding and monitoring equipment on city-wide network.
• Inverclyde: Completion of design phase for Cloch Road and Newark – Parklea cycle routes and delivery of wayfinding and safety improvements on local and national cycling networks. Contributed to the design of a new Toucan Crossing on the A8 Dalrymple Street which will improve access for pedestrians and cyclist between Greenock Town Centre and NCN75.
• North Ayrshire: Completion of widened footway on Kilwinning Road from Kilwinning Bypass to town centre and completion of path network upgrades between Irvine town centre and i3 Enterprise Area including a section of NCN.
• North Lanarkshire: Completion of upgraded link from Holytown Station to the A723 along Loanhead Road. Completion of Ravenscraig Cycle Path (construction) and completion of design phase for Croy station access improvements.
• Renfrewshire: Completion of design phase for Paisley to Renfrew Cycle Route.
• South Lanarkshire: Continued delivery of East Kilbride active travel network; completion of Bothwell-Uddingston NCN74 & NCN75 connection via Fallside Road and Bellshill Road. Completion of initial designs for further sections of Hamilton, Lanark and Carluke active travel networks.
• South Ayrshire: Completion of Phase 1 of the Loans to Troon cycle path project Harling Drive to Dundonald Road and partial construction of phase 2 through Marr. Completion of design phase and partial construction of 2.8km Dundonald – Barassie path.

In 2021/22, SPT will support cycling projects including:

• Argyll and Bute: Construction of bridge over Geilston Burn (on Helensburgh – Dumbarton route).
• East Ayrshire: Completion of design phase for Crosshouse Hospital to Dundonald link.
• East Dunbartonshire: Design and construct Kirkintilloch & Lennoxtown local links.
• East Renfrewshire: Design and construct section of A77 Strategic Cycle Corridor.
• Glasgow: Installation of active travel network signage and monitoring equipment.
• North Ayrshire: Design further section of the Brodick to Corrie Cycle Path and construct sections of the Irvine local network.
• North Lanarkshire: Design and construct sections of Croy Station Access Improvements, Motherwell Station Active Travel Links and Ravenscraig Active Travel Link.
• South Ayrshire: South Ayrshire: Completion on the Alloway-Burton Cycle Route, commence Dundonald – Barassie cycle route Phase 1 and Cycle-friendly signalisation of B746 Kilmarnock Rd/ Lang Rd/ Commonwealth Dr junction.
• South Lanarkshire: Design and construct sections of East Kilbride Active Travel Network, Bothwell-Uddingston NCN connection, Larkhall – Blackwood and Carstairs Junction connections.
• West Dunbartonshire: Design and construct Strathleven link in Dumbarton town centre.”

Glasgow is usually at the front of the queue for Sustrans and other funding so it makes sense that most routes funded by SPT are outside the city. It’s quite a long list – maybe some food for thought for places to go over the summer!?

3.3 South Lanarkshire Council – Active Travel networks

Item 3.2, above, mentions South Lanarkshire’s active travel networks. The latest areas to have networks developed were Blantyre/Bothwell/Uddingston; Larkhall and Stonehouse/Strathaven (Digest 78, Item 1.3). There’s been a gap in updates on this since invites to the workshops didn’t reach either of the GoBike reps on South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership. Luckily, another GoBike member did take part and passed on details. The downside is we’ve missed the chance to have our say in the discussion and the consultation on the drafts. However, for the record, here are the draft network reports (see p19 for maps).

• Bothwell, Blantyre and Uddingston network report.
• Larkhall network report.
• Strathaven, Stonehouse and surrounding villages network report.

Most of the obvious routes and destinations seem to be covered (but the street names are quite hard to read on all three). A few features don’t inspire confidence, such as making a ‘main route’ of the heavily vandalised Main St (B7012) underpass under the East Kilbride Expressway. Once the networks are finalised, the council should bid for funding to design key routes then progress to construction (as in 3.2, above).

3.4: Dennistoun Community Council – Further update on Spaces for People scheme

Last month, Dennistoun Community Council summarised the Spaces for People project that was put into the area (Digest 88, Item 3.2). This month, Glasgow City Council responded so there’s a further Q&A update on the DCC website.

The update also mentions the return of the Dennistoun & Royston Restricted Parking Zone and the new Dennistoun, Riddrie & Carntyne ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ proposal. In the last few days, an old proposal has reappeared for a dual carriageway past Alexandra Park, between Dennistoun and Riddrie. So, there should be plenty to talk about in the near future.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, Battlefield, Drop-in Event, TODAY, 23 July, 3pm – 7pm
2. GoBike member’s survey, Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow, closes tomorrow, 24 July
3. Glasgow, Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July
4. **NEW** Glasgow, (Mount Florida) (Traffic Regulation) Order) Waiting and Loading Restrictions, closes 02 August
5. Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Order, closes 02 August
6. Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August
7. Glasgow St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July
2. Glasgow ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, Tuesday 06 August
3. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. East Dunbartonshire, Lenzie Station
2. Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue
3. Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) Construction Update

Section 1: Current Consultations , in date order for responses

1.1 Glasgow, Battlefield Street Design, Showcase Event, TODAY, 23 June

Battlefield is no longer as shown here but there are moves to make it a calmer place, with less emphasis on the private car. Here’s the information from Sustrans about today’s event and the current on-line consultation:

“Hello,
I am emailing just as a reminder about the Battlefield Street Design Session 4 Showcase Event taking place next Tuesday 23^rd July. This is a public drop-in event at Langside Parish church and is open to everyone. I would be grateful if you could share this amongst anyone you think maybe interested? Further details are below and I’ve attached the event poster to this email.

Showcase event: Tuesday 23^rd July 2019

The designs for Battlefield area have been developed following nine months of engagement by Sustrans and Glasgow City Council that has reached almost 6,000 local people. During March, April and May, people took part in a range of activities to provide feedback which has helped to refine the concept that will be handed over to Glasgow City Council at the end of July for further development.  On Tuesday 23^rd July, at Langside Parish Church in Glasgow, the public are invited to have the opportunity to:

Drop-in anytime between 4pm and 7pm to view the updated concept design for the following areas; Battlefield Rest junction, Battlefield Road, Grange Road and Langside Road.

Find out about activities in the area from Urban Croft South Seeds, Battlefield Community Project, Give a Dog a Bone, Langside Heritage Group and many more;

Come and say hello to us outside Coffeescene between 3pm and 6pm where we’ll have a summary of the designs and some Sustrans freebies to give away!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Many thanks in advance,

Ellie Cady
Project Lead – Battlefield | Street Design | Sustrans Scotland
Ellie.Cady@sustrans.org.uk

A further email informed of an ongoing survey:

“We would love to hear the views from all of those involved to help us improve the Street Design process for future projects. From the 23^rd July we would like to invite you to complete a short online survey about the project and engagement process. This survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete and will be made available through our project website from next week. You will also receive a reminder by email with the link to the survey.”

So do have a look at that and, through GoBike’s involvement with the Focus Group for the redesign of Battlefield, we will be keeping you updated as things proceed.

1.2 Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow, closes tomorrow, Wednesday 24 July

Active GoBike member, Eachann Gillies, who is our lead in the Battlefield Focus Group, is also studying for an MSc at Glasgow Caledonian University. As part of that he would like as many people as possible to fill in his survey on Attitudes to Cycling in Glasgow. It’s quite short, so do please help him. Here’s the link to the survey.

1.3 Glasgow, Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July

Taxis and private hire vehicles are something that most of us will use at some point so it is critical that we are objective about them and ensure that they provide a good service that meets the needs of the city, its residents and its visitors. Here is the GoBike response to the consultation. Here is the link to the consultation.

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow, (Mount Florida) (Traffic Regulation) Order) Waiting and Loading Restrictions, closes 02 August

On 12 July GoBike received the following email under the somewhat innocuous title of “Mount Florida Traffic Regulation Order”. It is only by looking at the attachments that one realises what is being done to set back the cause of active travel in the area.

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir or Madam,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MOUNT FLORIDA) (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro . 
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk  by Friday 2 August 2019.
Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the documents that accompanied the email: Press Notice, Plan (1 of 2), Plan (2 of 2), Report and Statement of Reasons.

When one looks at the plans, particularly 1 of 2, it becomes clear that there are proposals to make Florida Street and Bolton Drive one-way westbound between Clincart Road and Florida Drive and to make Clincart Road one-way southbound to Bolton Drive and one-way northbound to Bolton Drive, with a buildout to the footway on Bolton Drive.
While this might rationalise car movements, it contradicts Transport Scotland’s and Glasgow City Council’s design guide, “Cycling by Design” where Clause 5.1.5 (page 52) states “The default position should be to permit two-way cycling on one-way streets.” The City Council conveniently ignores this every time a parking scheme is developed, thus severely limiting permeability of our residential areas for cycle traffic.

Here’s a promising report on contraflow cycling from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which we have quoted to Glasgow City Council.

In addition parking and parking/loading restrictions are proposed, particularly at junctions and this is despite Rule 243 of the Highway Code stating as one of its bullet points: ” DO NOT stop or park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space” See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/waiting-and-parking-238-to-252

We note that the City Council refers to the local Community Council, who are reflecting residents’ views that “they have nowhere to park” and many wish to park their private car directly outside the door to their close. However, this flies in the face of City Council policy to reduce car use, to promote active travel and rejuvenate our local neighbourhoods.
Event day parking restrictions are in place in this area and it would seem logical to extend restrictions by introducing a Residents’ Parking Zone.

If Glasgow City Council, and other local authorities, and/or Police Scotland were to employ more parking/traffic wardens rather than rely on the good will of drivers to observe paint lines at the edges of our streets then we might be able to use our streets for the purpose for which they were intended, ie to get from A to B.

GoBike’s response to this consultation reflects the above points.

1.5 Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Order, closes 02 August

The details of this proposed addition to the 80 mandatory 20mph zones in the city were first given in Digest 37, Item 1.6. The GoBike letter of support for this proposal also includes our view that the City Council really does need to bite the bullet on this and impose a city-wide default 20mph limit.

1.6 Glasgow, South City Way Traffic Management Order, 2-way cycle lane on Bridgegate and King Street, closes 09 August

This proposal, bringing the South City Way into the Merchant City, was detailed in Digest 38, Item 1.5. GoBike is generally very supportive, but we are considering the detail and our response will be contained in our next Digest the big Four Zero, due out on 06 August.

1.7 Glasgow St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

As reported before, we are working on our response, which will be submitted next month. This is an important city centre area, so do please have a look at the consultation information that is provided on the City Council’s Current Consultations page at: https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicDMartCurrent&NoIP=1 and submit your own response, if you can.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Dennistoun & Royston – Traffic Management & Parking Controls Order 201 drop-in events 24, 25 and 27 July

In Digest 38, Item 2.5, we published details of drop-in events for residents to learn about the proposed parking changes for Dennistoun and Royston:
Wednesday 24 July, Royston Library, 2 – 7 pm
Thursday 25 July, Dennistoun Library, 2 – 7 pm
Saturday 27 July, Dennistoun Library, 10 am – 1 pm

However, it looks as if this isn’t a universally popular move, if this article from the Evening Times on 19 July is anything to go by! See: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17781308.parking-zone-plan-east-end-scrapped/?ref=ebln

If you don’t agree that our streets should be linear car parks and you live, or work in this area, or visit regularly, then get yourself along to one of these events to support the proposals.

2.2 Glasgow ‘Avenues’ preview events for Renfrew, Killermont & North Hanover Streets, Tuesday 06 August, with a closing date for on-line comments of 18 August

On 17 July GoBike received the following invitation from Civic Engineers, who are working for the City Council on the Avenues projects

“You are invited to the following event: Glasgow city centre ‘Avenues’: initial design ideas for Renfrew St, Killermont St and North Hanover St

Multiple events from: Tuesday, 6 August 2019 from 13:00 to 15:30 (BST) The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (City of Music Studio, 3rd floor)
2 Sauchiehall Street
G2 3NY Glasgow
United Kingdom
View Map

Yes No Maybe

You’re invited to a preview of initial design ideas for Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street on Tuesday 6th August in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.  There is a choice of two events, each an hour long, starting at 1pm and 2:30pm.  The City Council and Civic Engineers, who lead the Council’s design team for this phase of the Avenues project, will be presenting initial design principles at the events and seeking feedback. You’ll also be able to see and comment on the initial designs online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues from Tuesday 22nd July (closing date for comment is Sunday 18th August). There’ll be similar events about initial design ideas for Cathedral Street on Tuesday 3rd September in Townhead Village Hall – keep an eye out for the invitation. The work is part of the transformational £115m ‘Avenues’ city centre public realm project funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which will change the face of the city for the better for all those who live, work and visit. The Avenues project will see key Glasgow city-centre streets redesigned to protect and prioritise space for cyclists and pedestrians, improve connectivity, introduce sustainable green infrastructure through attractive streetscapes and enhancing biodiversity, and improve the way public transport is accommodated.  Places at the events are free but limited. Please book now to get your place! ”

Now that nice, wide cycleway on the photo above, taken from the original invitation, might not look to have much separating it from the roadway, but we think there’s a kerb there, and we’ll be sure to check that out on 06 August.

GoBike will be represented at this event, and at the 03 September event. Do note that these are not drop-in events so if you can’t spare the full hour, you will be able to view the information and respond on line.

2.3 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August

Earlier this year, in February, 2 GoBike members attended a meeting with Glasgow Life to hear about initial proposals for Pollok Park. We have now, 19 July, received this message and invitation:

“I hope you’re both well. I’m writing to update you on the progress of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project.

The update is as follows:

Thank you for previously engaging with us on access proposals for Pollok Country Park. Details of the proposals and current progress can be found in the briefing note attached.

As mentioned, these proposals will form the subject of a planning application and we are now moving towards submitting a Proposal of Application Notice in the week commencing 22^nd July. A consultation event will take place at Pollokshaws Library on the 22^nd August from 12 noon – 8pm which you are welcome to attend and will allow the opportunity for comments.

I’ll note that the proposed new entrance at Haggs Road is primarily intended to bring cars and buses in through a more direct route, while cyclists would be encouraged to enter the park via the Pollokshaws Road entrance or St Andrews Drive entrance.

If you have any queries please get in touch.

Kind Regards,
Project Officer, Glasgow Life”

The briefing note attached to the email is here. Do get yourself along to Pollokshaws Library on 22 August if you can to see the exciting proposals.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 SPT and East Dunbartonshire, Lenzie Station Improvements

We heard about station improvements from one of our member’s Twitter feed, with this link to the SPT website: http://www.spt.co.uk/corporate/2019/07/lenzie-station-improvements-welcomed/
2 of the improvements listed refer to cycling:

• Upgraded traffic lights – including dedicated cycle phase
• Improved cycle facilities

So now that we can store our bikes at Lenzie Station and cycle in and out during the new cycle phase, perhaps we’ll get dedicated cycle lanes through the town?

The consultation phase for the project started in 2016, before GoBike was actively getting East Dunbartonshire proposals, but we are always keen to hear about consultations in the wider Glasgow area, so do keep us informed at consultations@gobike.org please.

3.2 Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue Traffic Calming Scheme, GCC response to GoBike submission.

In Digest 37, Item 1.3, the details of this proposal were published and on 03 July we returned this response.
The City Council have now replied, with this email received on 19 July:

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

Dear Ms Fort,
Thank you for your undernoted email and attached letter of 3 July 2019 regarding the proposed traffic calming for Ladyloan Avenue.

I am pleased to note that GoBike are in favour of the pilot School Car Free Zone project which the Council is introducing as an experimental traffic regulation order at 6 schools in Glasgow. Depending on the success of this pilot scheme, it is anticipated similar prohibitions of driving near other schools throughout the Council area will be introduced in the future.

While I acknowledge that some cyclists will seek to avoid the cushions, this will not always be the case, and the gradient on this section of Ladyloan Avenue renders it unlikely that roadside detritus will accumulate. 

Though no traffic census has been carried out at this location, I would expect current bicycle numbers on Ladyloan Avenue to be low tending to negligible. Therefore speed reduction measures such the proposed cushions can only have a beneficial impact on the number of cyclists.  Furthermore, reduced speeds are likely to make the journey to and from school more attractive to other active road users such as pedestrians and those using scooters and, in doing so, reduce the number of journeys made by car.

It can reasonably be considered that introduction of cycle lanes and reduction of the space available to motor vehicles at this location would lead to motor vehicles having to come to rest then accelerate again, leading to increased fuel usage with attendant polluting consequences.

I trust that the foregoing explains some of the reasons for introducing speed cushions on Ladyloan Avenue.”

So, now you know, some of us enjoy cycling over speed cushions and the installation of cycle lanes would increase pollution! However, on the brighter side, we are getting more responses from the City Council than we used to, and they contain more detail than we used to be given.

3.3 Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) Construction Update

Received just yesterday, a link to what’s going on around Glasgow Airport.


Here’s the main news from the link:

“Construction includes significant improved connections:

• Abbotsinch Road is being realigned, upgraded and extended, with accompanying pedestrian and cyclelanes to create a gateway route through Netherton Campus.
• A two-lane bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and commercial traffic across the White Cart from anapproach road off Arran Avenue to Wright Street. The bridge includes a connection into Wright Streetbusiness premises, with no through route along Wright Street for vehicles. This will reduce the impactof traffic on residential areas and the bridge will also connect with the proposed Paisley to Renfrewcycle route, currently under development.
• A pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Black Cart, connecting Abbotsinch Road to Greenock Road.
• New and improved junctions and connections to existing cycleways and pathways.

Construction works start in July 2019 and are scheduled for completion in early 2021. 

Some interesting news to peruse above and consultation events to go to, to brighten up your summer.
The Digest will be back in 2 weeks with whatever lands in the inbox before then.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation Event NOW, until 8pm today, Tuesday 19 March and on-line until 12 April
2. Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes TOMORROW 20 MARCH
3. **NEW** Survey on bike hire scheme in Motherwell, closes 31 March
4. Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April
5. North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April
6. **NEW** Glasgow Woodside Health Centre, Traffic Regulation Order, to prevent obstructive parking, closes 08 April
7. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Waiting Restrictions in Lenzie, closes 22 April
8. Get Glasgow Moving, on-line petition, open but needs your support

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, GCC response to our objection
2. Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement
3. Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, what happens at Charing Cross?
4. Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, Elmbank Street, astonishing response from GCC

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 Battlefield Street Design – Public Consultation Event NOW, until 8pm today, Tuesday 19 March and on-line until 12 April

If you haven’t been to this event, you’d better get your fast bike out since it closes at 8pm today. If you missed it don’t worry though – you are still able to put comments on-line until 12 April. Sustrans and Glasgow City Council are putting a lot of effort into working with the community to improve this area so do please respond.

1.2 Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) Regional Transport Strategy – Public Survey, closes TOMORROW 20 MARCH

A touch more relaxed with this one but do complete this survey, if you want to press for more active travel and public travel provision in the SPT area.

1.3 **NEW** Survey on bike hire scheme in Motherwell, closes 31 March

Here’s the survey, if it’s not clear on the poster. It’s only short so please complete it.

1.4 Glasgow Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework, closes 05 April

This looks incredibly promising, very active travel and public realm oriented, as we told you two weeks ago in Digest 29, Item 1.5 – let’s hope it stays that way! GoBike is currently developing a response. Our current thinking is that while the document (see this link) is very long and very detailed, it has very little in it that ensures that the actions will be carried out. A massive amount of political will is required, as well as a gigantic amount of public and lobby group persuasion for it to happen.

Who wouldn’t want Anderston Station to be in a pleasant environment? Who wouldn’t want the riverside to be a pleasant place to stroll and sit in the sun, etc etc.

So it could be a good idea to complete the survey by choosing “Strongly Agree” with the proposals and “Strongly Disagree” that the content of the document can make them real. You might then use the boxes to say why you are concerned with traditional traffic modelling, how you don’t think that the use of electric vehicles will reduce city centre congestion and so on. We also advise that you use “Strongly Agree” with the ideas and use a comment box to point out how important it is to create conditions for cycling that will get people out of their cars for short trips, whether or not the ambitious ideas are successfully implemented.

Most of you who read these Digests have the cycling experience, the knowledge of political systems and local government (did I say “cynicism”?) and a sensible view of what is needed to get people out of their cars and onto their feet or their pedals to give this survey a good response! Please do so!

1.5 North Lanarkshire Council Local Development Plan, closes 05 April

We have mentioned this twice before, the latest in Digest 29, Item 1.6 and one of our members has now found some references to active travel in the documents! The Modified Proposed Plan is here, the Local Development Plan is here and the four references are:

1. Document p16, pdf p9 Strategic Planning Context / Low carbon infra … (list)…connected transport networks including active travel …
2. Document p31, pdf p16 PROM: promoting development locations and infra / Transport improvements / …Policies in this Plan seek to ensure that development improves access to …… and increasing active travel through the creation and improvement of walking and cycling routes
3. Document p81, pdf p41 Policy C1 Contributions [from developers] to Infra / Contributions to Infra Policy Categories and Guidance / Category C13 Transport / Full details of any transport infra will be identified by the Council … Forms of Transport infra can (sic) include road and public transport as well as active travel such as walking and cycling.
4. Doc p152, pdf p77 Glossary / (‘Active travel’ not in glossary…) … inside the definition for ‘Compact City Model’ .. development geography seeks to … encourage active travel…

So that isn’t very much and there’s nothing substantial that could be measured, so we will be writing to them over the next fortnight pointing out what we see as shortcomings. If you cycle or walk in North Lanarkshire please do respond.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow Woodside Health Centre, Traffic Regulation Order, to prevent obstructive parking, closes 08 April

Here’s the email we received from Glasgow City Council on 08 March:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (WOODSIDE HEALTH CENTRE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro.
As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the ground for their objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 8^th April 2019.

Yours faithfully (etc)”

Here are the documents referred to: the press advert (which uses the term “obstructive parking” which is a new term on us), the draft report, the plan of the area affected and the very brief statement of reasons.

This is one that GoBike will be supporting as it will improve the local environment. If you live, work or travel in this area please write in and add your support.

1.7 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire Council, Proposed Waiting Restrictions in Lenzie, closes 22 April

Here’s the email we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 15 March:

“Dear Sir,
PROPOSED WAITING RESTRICTIONS IN LENZIE

The Council is promoting the undernoted Traffic Regulation Order. Attached is a copy of the draft Order together with a copy of the plan indicating the locations of the restrictions and Statement of Reasons for the proposal. Also enclosed is a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Kirkintilloch Herald that is published on 19 March 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 22 April 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Executive Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. (See attached file: 190315 Lenzie Proposed Waiting Restrictions.pdf)
Yours faithfully

Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
East Dunbartonshire Council Headquarters
Southbank Marina
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch G66 1TJ

Here’s the document referred to and this is one that GoBike will be supporting. Streets are for getting from place to place and not for the long-term storage of vehicles.

1.8 Get Glasgow Moving, online 38 degrees petition , open

We have featured this before – if you didn’t support it then please add your name now. Here are the links to Get Glasgow Moving and to the petition. It’s a no-brainer.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

Nothing new this time. We have the Byres Road Design Workshop coming up this Thursday, which we had told you about last time, and we will report on in the next Digest. Apart from that we live in hope of seeing confirmed plans to build useful, high-quality cycle lanes.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Heathcot Avenue Drumchapel, GCC response to our objection

In our last Digest we published our letter of opposition to the proposals to make Heathcot Avenue one-way with no exemption for bikes and we have now received this risible email by way of reply

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort,

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (HEATHCOT AVENUE),
TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
I can advise that this Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was requested by the local community and proposed as a road safety measure for current issues being experienced.
I can further advise that any vehicles parked on the grass verge opposite the flats will be subject to enforcement under the new proposed restrictions.
I understand your desire to make active travel a priority and the Council is currently investing in new cycle routes within Glasgow, however I am unable to include two-way cycling on this road due to previous concerns raised from Police Scotland in regards to other proposals.
Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 27^th March 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or e-mailing land@glasgow.gov.uk.
If you do not wish to withdraw your objection then there is no requirement for you to write to us again.
Your objection will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision.  Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely”

This prompts the following questions:

• Why would Transport Scotland issue a design document, “Cycling by Design” when a major clause encouraging permeability to be maintained for cycling, ie Clause 5.1.5 is of such concern to Police Scotland?
• Why would Glasgow City Council use the same document for their cycling designs if Police Scotland object?
• Why is there such a varied amount of contraflow cycling in Glasgow from the no road markings, only street signs on Dalnair Street in Yorkhill, to Gordon Street with just a change of paving to Howard Street with only paint, if Police Scotland object?
• Why do members of Police Scotland say they don’t object to contraflow cycling?
• Why has GoBike not been provided with evidence of objection to contraflow cycling by Glasgow City Council?
• Is there a consistent policy on cycling provision, including contraflow, within Glasgow City Council?

3.2 Glasgow City Centre Congestion Improvement

Here’s a better response from Glasgow City Council; it’s to our support for changes to on-street parking and other measures in the city centre, see our letter of 26 February.

We received this email on 19 March:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION NO 26) (CONGESTION IMPROVEMENT) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Your support will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the decision. Once a decision has been taken in regards to these proposals I shall write to you again and advise of the outcome.

Yours sincerely”

Nice to be appreciated sometimes!

3.3 Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, what happens at Charing Cross?

Despite item 3.4 below and the challenge to get there after a night at the King’s Theatre, we are keen to see how the cycle lane on Sauchiehall Street is progressing. Slowly is the answer, so our eye was caught at Charing Cross by the pedestrian crossing arrangements, prompting this message from our Co-Convenor, (with thanks to Rachel for the words and Brenda for the photos) to Andy Waddell, Director of Neighbourhoods and Sustainability and his lead for the Sauchiehall Street works, Brian Hubbert:

“Dear Andy and Brian,
It has been good to see the recent progress on the cycle lane along Sauchiehall Street, however we would like to highlight some concerns we have about the pedestrian crossing at Charing Cross. Currently the cycle lane stops abruptly on each side of the pedestrian crossing, and it is unclear how you can cycle between the two parts of the cycle lane. Photo 1 shows the crossing.

The current design creates conflict between people travelling by bicycle and people travelling on foot. As it is currently designed, people travelling on foot will be waiting in, essentially, the middle of the desire line for people travelling by bicycle. We’re unclear if this is a mistake or if it was intentional. The original plans show the pedestrian crossing starting on the edge of a continuous cycle path. Here are the plans I’m referring to https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43844&p=0, and attached as ‘sheet 4 of 4’. I’ve also attached ‘sheet 2 of 4’, and that shows another crossing for people on foot, and which again clearly shows that people on foot are encouraged to wait on the edge of the cycle lane, rather than in it (and this is the case for all the crossings on along Sauchiehall Street in the original plans). Are you planning to add cycle lights here at Charing Cross?

Photo 1b shows the space available on the pavement next to the cycle lane, which is wide enough to allow cycle lane and pedestrian crossing which doesn’t cause conflict for those travelling on foot and by bicycle.
On a side note photo 2 shows the tactile paving to mark the end of the cycle lane, and our understanding is that they have been laid the wrong way around, and thus are misleading for people who are visually impaired.

We are also interested to hear more about the side streets along Sauchiehall Street and how you are planning to ensure priority for those travelling on foot or by bicycle.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Iona on behalf of GoBike”

3.4 Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, Elmbank Street, astonishing response from GCC

Readers may remember that John and Tricia attended a meeting of Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council to raise concern about Elmbank Street becoming one-way southbound. Bailie Philip Braat raised our concern with the Neighbourhood and Sustainability group, and here is the astonishing reply that he received:

“From: LESMLU
Date: 18 March 2019 at 13:59:04 GMT
To: “Braat, Philip (Councillor)”
Subject:NS MLU 378670 FW: Cycling in Blythswood & Broomielaw, Elmbank Street (OFFICIAL)

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

Dear Bailie Braat,

I acknowledge receipt of your undernoted email, dated 1^st March and following receipt of correspondence from representatives of Go-Bike in relation to the alteration to traffic flow on Elmbank Street to one way southbound (which was implemented as part of the Sauchiehall Street Avenue project).
I can confirm that Go-Bike submitted an objection to the proposal and requested that a northbound contraflow cycle lane be incorporated into the works and provided examples of locations where this measure had been implemented. Each of the specified locations were assessed with a view to including a contraflow cycle lane at this location, however it was not possible to incorporate the measure at Elmbank Street on safety grounds and a response providing an explanation of the reasoning for non-inclusion was issued to Go-Bike.
I accept that the situation on Elmbank Street is not ideal for cyclists, however facilities along the full length of Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose Street for sustainable travel including pedestrians, cyclists and public transport have been improved through the reduction in the number of parking bays, construction of a cycle lane the full length of Sauchiehall Street from Charing Cross to Rose Street, provision of new bus infrastructure and the reduction in the number of traffic lanes. On completion of the works access to Sauchiehall Street will be possible via Holland Street and Douglas Street and also on the footways of Elmbank Street .
Prior to the works being implemented, Elmbank Street comprised 4 number lanes, two vehicle running lanes and two lanes for parking/loading and two narrow footways with no cycling infrastructure. The facilities for cyclists on Elmbank Street, on completion of the works, have neither improved nor been removed however facilities within the Charing Cross/Sauchiehall Street area in general have improved significantly which was one of the primary objectives of the works. 
I trust the above is of use however should you require to discuss the matter further please do not hesitate to contact Mr Stephen McDonagh.

Christine Francis
Technical Services Manager, Neighbourhoods & Sustainability”

How ludicrous; if it wasn’t such a knock back for active travel, it would be funny. GCC accept that Elmbank Street is not a good location for cycling, but hey, the nirvana of Sauchiehall Street is just out of reach beyond it. How do we get there? We can use the footways on Elmbank Street, even though they are narrow! So now, because of their stubbornness on this issue (our objection was submitted over 2 years ago), they advocate footway cycling! And one could go on.
We have good infrastructure in the selected parts of the city but Heathcot Avenue, Elmbank Street and many, many more locations are discarded.

Let’s hope they eventually see sense and we get some consistent, good practice in place. It might not happen in time for our next Digest on 09 April, but perhaps sometime?