Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.”

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

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

Here’s the text:

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

Good morning everyone, 

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

Regards, “

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

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

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

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

2.2 Pedal on Parliament 2020, Space For Distancing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 The Scottish Parliament: Climate Change & You Update

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

“Hello,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.4 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.56

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

3.5 Glasgow, George Square Experimental Order

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.6 From University Avenue Glasgow to Princes Street Edinburgh

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

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

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

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

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

More news in 2 weeks.

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

Contents:

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further to my consultation email of 17^TH September 2019 regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, and in accordance with statutory procedures, I now enclose a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons, detailed report.

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Kevin Hamilton Head of Roads Neighbourhoods and Sustainability or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk by 29^th November 2019.

Yours faithfully,” etc

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

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

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

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

Here’s our letter of response.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Automated Vehicles Team – Law Commissions“

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.2 East Dunbartonshire Active Transport Networking Event, 26 November

GoBike received this invitation from CyclingUK on 31 October:

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

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

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

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

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

Attendees can expect:

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

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

I look forward to seeing you there!

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

Eileen

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, CITY CENTRE (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION No20)(CANDLERIGGS) ORDER 2019

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

The Order was made on 25^th October 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on Wednesday 30^th October stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.
Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (name and phone number removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely“, etc

A move in the right direction!

Back in 2 weeks with more!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

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

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Area affected by the proposed Order

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

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

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

·        The implementation of a 20mph speed limit. 

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

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

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

Yours faithfully

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

The plan mentioned above is here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of the grounds for objection in writing to Christine Francis, Head of Technical Services, Exchange House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or to Christine Francis by e-mail, to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday 15 November 2019.

Yours faithfully

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Dear All,

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

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

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Automated Vehicles Team – Law Commissions

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

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

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

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

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

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

Do please get there if you can.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each phase is described below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consultation Feedback

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Work to start at Horsley Brae junction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.3 Scotland’s National Transport Strategy consultation: GoBike submission

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

And we received this automatic reply:

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

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

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

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

“Dear Sir/Madam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.5 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No.54

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.7 Glasgow City Council (Glencairn Drive) Traffic calming scheme

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

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

Dear Ms Fort

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Mr Brady,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Glasgow Pearce Lane Traffic Regulation Order 201_ Waiting, Loading, Parking restrictions, closes 23 September
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Glencairn Drive, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 24 September
3. **NEW** Glasgow, Pollok Park Transformation, on-line consultation, closes 26 September
4. UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon Offsetting in Transport, closes 26 September
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Polnoon Avenue Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 30 September
6. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Schools and Bearsden Town Centre, closes 07 October
7. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, closes 21 October
8. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Save the Date, 19 October, Sharing Concerns with the Visually and Physically Impaired

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, University Avenue, removing cycle lanes, response from Active Nation Commissioner.
2. East Dunbartonshire Council: Local Development Plan Newsletter No. 52
3. East Dunbartonshire, Traffic Regulation Order – West Chapelton Avenue & West Chapelton Crescent, Bearsden
4. Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow City Council reply to GoBike comment on their rejection of our Objection to the removal of cycle lanes.

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 **NEW** Glasgow Pearce Lane Traffic Regulation Order 201_ Waiting, Loading, Parking restrictions, closes 23 September

What a shame that such a tiny street, between Pearce Street and Water Row in Govan, gets cluttered with stationary vehicles, blocking access for pedestrians and emergency vehicles alike, and that the City Council has to go to the expense of a TRO to stop it.

This is what Pearce Lane looks like now (thanks to the GoBike member, who submitted this photo for our Infra day last Friday) with this very short cycle lane, which should come into its own once the new Govan-Partick Bridge has been built, but this is what it used to look like:

The construction of the cycle lane and the installation of the bollards to protect it means that refuse vans etc are unable to pass parked cars (they could previously go up on the verge/old footway) – hence the proposal for double yellow lines on the south side of the lane.

GoBike will be supporting this move and also pointing to positive moves by the Council, as reported in the press, to recruit more parking and traffic wardens. Here’s the email that we received on 02 September:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council (Pearce Lane) Traffic Regulation Order 201_

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

Background to the proposed Order
Pearce Lane has been identified as being negatively affected by indiscriminate and obstructive parking practices which can make access difficult for larger vehicles to gain access e.g. refuse vehicles and fire engines.  Vehicles are also regularly parking on, and obstruct, footways which is a safety risk for pedestrians.

In view of the above, these proposals will improve road safety and pedestrian safety by prohibiting obstructive parking practices and improving access to residential properties.
Area affected by the proposed Order
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
Pearce Lane
Details of the proposed Order
The proposed restrictions (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-

·        No waiting and no loading and unloading at any time

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (reply by 23^rd September 2019).
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and number removed by GoBike)
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; a copy of the Notice of the proposed Order will be forwarded to you intimating an opportunity to lodge any objections to the proposals.
Yours faithfully” etc

Here’s the plan referred to above. If you use this route do write in and support the proposal.
This is the GoBike letter of support.

1.2 **NEW** Glasgow, Glencairn Drive, Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 24 September

Yet more traffic calming, as if there wasn’t enough in Digest 42, but here’s a proposal for Glencairn Drive, G41, just to the east of Maxwell Park. This is the email that we received on 03 September:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Glencairn Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

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

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

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        8 sets of 4, 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 24 September 2019).
Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and contact number removed by GoBike)
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully” etc

There are 3 plans that were attached to the email: west, centre and east.

Here’s a view of Glencairn Drive:

From the view it’s clear to see that is a straight, wide road that is just an invitation to those drivers who wish to speed, with little or no care for others.

From the plans, and from the view above it can be seen that the minimum gap proposed to be left between the speed cushions and the kerb is only 0.55m and that would leave people cycling in the setts in the gutter. This lack of consideration of cycling will be mentioned in our response as will the question as to why there is no proposal to link Maxwell Park to Shields Road and the South West City Way with cycle lanes along Glencairn Drive. We’ll also ask why there is no proposal to block the clear sight lines with chicanes that incorporate cycle bypasses or a proposal to block off Glencairn Drive to through traffic leaving only access for cycles and emergency vehicles. Even simpler would be to install speed cameras so that the drivers of all vehicles who exceed the limit are prosecuted and fined. Who knows – the money raised from these people who flout the law would probably pay for the installation of the cameras several times over.
We need joined-up thinking and the holistic view when it comes to our streets and how people get around the city.

Here’s the letter we have submitted today in response to the proposals.

1.3 **NEW* Pollok Park Transformation, on-line consultation, closes 26 September

The information available at the
drop-in consultation event at Pollokshaws Library on 10 September is here. There is also a short video that you may view at this link – scroll down and click on “Transforming Pollok Park”
Comments may be submitted by email to PollokCountryParkTransformation@glasgowlife.org.uk. Do have a read of the information from Glasgow Life and and respond to the consultation. It all looks pretty good with a very pleasantly high focus on active travel:

• Car access will be much reduced, with car parking generally on the periphery.
• The car access for the Burrell will be from Haggs Road, with a new car park proposed for just inside the entrance.
• The current car park charge will be doubled from £1 to £2 for up to 3 hours (this still makes it much cheaper, particularly if the car is full, than the train or the bus).
• Car parking will be formally stopped on verges.
• There will be controls on vehicle speeds.
• The National Cycle Route through the park runs along the narrow shared path by the river. While this will remain, the nearby road will be formalised as two-way for cycling.
• The access to the park from Pollokshaws Road via the archway will be restricted to entry for the house, the cricket club, the police dog kennels and the allotments.
• There will be some lighting on the main paths.

but there are concerns:

• The current Burrell car park is to remain, at its present size, even though a new car park is proposed for construction near the Haggs Road entrance? Should this be restricted to being an accessible car park only with coach drop off? Otherwise we are relying on the goodwill of the drivers who could easily walk the short distance from the new car park.
• Electric car charging points are proposed for the current car park? Won’t this simply encourage people to drive to the park to leave their car charging when they could easily have walked, cycled or used public transport?
• Cycle facilities outside the park are not good. We do not know if the traffic lights at the Haggs Road entrance and exit will include a cycle phase and the shared footway from Pollokshaws West railway station is poor.

Do please put your views in by email; they will help to focus the Traffic Regulation Order and Planning Application that we expect to see relatively soon for the works to be done.

1.4 UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon Offsetting in Transport, closes 26 September

This was first raised in our last issue, Digest 42, Item 1.9 – and the link to the Consultation is here. The document is only 18 pages and there are short questions to guide responses in each section. However, the main danger seems to be that much time and energy could be spent on “offsetting” carbon-high journeys (not in itself a bad thing) rather than promoting active and low energy travel.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Polnoon Avenue Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 30 September

Look, here’s another long, straight road in Knightswood, G13, and quite wide too, separating houses that were built when there was council housing. Unfortunately it’s now marred by people using the long views to put their foot down on the accelerator, with little or no thought for children playing or people trying to cross the road, people choosing to park on the footway to the detriment of people who are trying to walk, push a pram or use a wheelchair and people choosing to store their car on the roadway when there is easily room off-road. The only advantage of on-road parking is that it narrows the roadway available for moving traffic and thus slows it down, but the big downside is that it is a deterrent to people cycling.

Here’s the email that we received from the City Council on 09 September:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS
NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Polnoon Avenue), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

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

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

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        4 sets of 2, 1.7m, 75mm high speed cushions with a 2.5m x 5m pedestrian island.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 30 September 2019).
Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and number removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully” etc

Here are the 3 plans attached to the email: north, south and full view.

A look at the plans is quite disconcerting; with a layout not seen before! Staggered speed cushions are proposed at either end of a traffic island. The drawings do not give the overall width of the road, the gap between the kerb and the speed cushion or the width of road between the traffic island and the kerb.
Current design guides state that pinch points such as traffic islands are to be avoided; it might well be that local residents are unable to cross the road because of speeding traffic and parked cars but putting people who choose to cycle in danger is not the answer; perhaps zebra crossings, speed cameras, chicanes with cycle bypasses or some other active-travel-friendly solution is required?

1.6 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Schools and Bearsden Town Centre, closes 07 October

Here’s an email that we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 04 September:

“Good afternoon
The Council is promoting the undernoted Traffic Regulation Orders. Enclosed are copies of the draft Orders and plans together with copies of the Notices which are to appear in the editions of the Kirkintilloch Herald, the Bishopbriggs Herald and the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which are published during the week commencing on 2 September 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 7 October 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. Also included is a copy of the previous Orders which are proposed to be amended. Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ
Note Referred to:-
1. The East Dunbartonshire Council ( Bearsden and Milngavie Schools) (Waiting and Loading Restrictions) Order;
2. The East Dunbartonshire Council (Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Milton of Campsie and Torrance Schools) Order;
3. The East Dunbartonshire Council (Bearsden Town Centre) (Waiting and Loading Restrictions) Order.
(See attached file: 190903 Proposed Schools Orders East area.pdf)
(See attached file: 190903 Proposed Schools East – proposed to be amended.pdf)
(See attached file: 190903 Bearsden Town Centre – proposed draft order.pdf)
(See attached file: 190903 Bearsden Town Centre – Order to be amended docs.pdf)(See attached file: 190903 Proposed Schools Order West.pdf)

These proposals address two issues:

1. Parking a vehicle close to a junction (Bearsden Town Centre). This is prohibited in the Highway Code but we have been told recently by Glasgow City Council that parking wardens are unable to act if no Traffic Regulation Order has been issued. It makes one wonder at the purpose of the Highway Code but it is important that visibility, for ALL road users, is good at junctions.
2. Loading and unloading or stopping at or near schools is to be prohibited during the school day (08:30 – 16:30) at Clober Primary School in Milngavie, Westerton Primary School and at 8 primary schools in Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Milton of Campsie and Torrance. This will be to prevent the congestion that occurs outside school gates and to prevent any accidents that might occur as car doors are opened etc, but, no doubt the main aim will be to get children walking, cycling or scooting to school.

In the interests of road safety and active travel GoBike will be supporting these proposals.
When implemented, this action at schools is sure to take East Dunbartonshire ahead of Glasgow in terms of the number of primary schools with parking restrictions not just in overall numbers (recent proposals, implemented at the start of this term in Glasgow were for 6 schools) but way, way ahead in percentage terms.

If you live in East Dunbartonshire or have links to schools there please do support these proposals.

1.7 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Proposed Traffic Regulation Order – Killermont Avenue, Rannoch Drive and Woodvale Avenue, closes 21 October

This proposal aims to restrict parking/loading in the area just off Maryhill Road near the car dealership and the access to the golf club.
Here’s the email that we received from East Dunbartonshire Council on 11 September:

“PROPOSED: KILLERMONT AVENUE, RANNOCH DRIVE AND WOODVALE AVENUE, BEARSDEN ? NO WAITING AND NO LOADING AT ANY TIME RESTRICTIONS

The Council is promoting the above mentioned traffic Regulation Order. Attached is a copy of the draft Order and plans together with a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the edition of the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which is published on 20 September 2019. Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 21 October 2019. Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ. Also included is a copy of the maps in relation to the previous Orders which is to amended. The Traffic Regulations Order itself is a large document and the maps represent what is contained in the Order. A full copy of the Order that is to be amended can be provided if requested.
(See attached file: 190910 Draft Order Killermont Ave Area + Notice.pdf) (See attached file: 130205 Bearsden Consolidated Outwith Town Centre.PDF) Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ“

Provided this is controlled then it should make it much easier for people who are walking and cycling, and trying to negotiate the road junctions in this area. GoBike will be supporting the proposal and we hope you will too if you work or live in this area or pass through.

1.8 Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

We have mentioned this in the last three Digests and we have someone working on our response, which we will publish as soon as we can.
Here’s the link to the government website and the consultation details.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Save the Date, 19 October, Sharing Concerns with the Visually and Physically Impaired

This photo is taken from Freewheel North, who do considerable work for anyone and everyone who wishes to cycle, but not all do, and many visually and physically impaired people struggle to negotiate our streets. It’s important, though, that we aren’t divided by people who don’t really want any of us in the way of their cars.
Further to the events reported on in Digest 40, Item 3.2, Suzanne and Sally from Walk,Cycle,Vote are planning a day of discussion and experience-sharing; here’s their email:

“A quick update to say that we are planning a larger shared event with RNIB Scotland, and hopefully Spinal Injury Scotland, on 19 October in Edinburgh

We’re currently discussing workshops and speakers, but likely to have something on the following:

• The needs of visually impaired and blind pedestrians for independent and safe mobility
• The needs of wheelchair users for independent and safe mobility
• National Transport Strategy – an opportunity to respond to the consultation
• Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 – an opportunity to highlight shared priorities from WCV supporters and disability organisations
• Design standards – information around current guidance and what we need to change to better meet the needs of disabled pedestrians and cyclists

We’ll be getting details confirmed and more information out shortly, but for now I’d be grateful if you alert anyone you think might be interested in attending

We’d also love to have a few blogs from you: just 500 – 700 words and a couple of pictures on your experience of moving around our towns and cities would be really helpful in setting the scene  and starting the discussion.“

If you are interested then please contact Suzanne at: suzanne.forup@CyclingUK.org

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, University Avenue, removing cycle lanes, response from Active Nation Commissioner

You might remember that two weeks ago, in Digest 42, Item 3.4, we published this letter that we sent back to Glasgow City Council about the removal of cycle lanes from University Avenue. That letter was copied to the Active Nation Commissioner, Lee Craigie, among others, and she responded promptly, with this email:

“Thank you. 
Just to let you know I entirely support your objection in principle and will be including the importance of the simplification of the TRO process in my report to the Cabinet Secretary this month. 
I will circulate the content of this report to all active travel stakeholders of which I consider GoBike a valuable contributor. 
My best,
Lee”

We hope for such a positive response from the other addressees!

3.2 East Dunbartonshire Council: Local Development Plan Newsletter No. 52

Here’s the latest newsletter from East Dunbartonshire Council, No 52, dated September 2019.

3.3 East Dunbartonshire, Traffic Regulation Order – West Chapelton Avenue & West Chapelton Crescent, Bearsden

Back in May in Digest 34, Item 1.5, we published the proposals from East Dunbartonshire Council for waiting and loading restrictions on West Chapelton Avenue and West Chapelton Crescent. We submitted this letter of support on 28 May and we now hear, with this email received on 11 September that the Order has been approved.

“THE EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL (WEST CHAPELTON AVENUE AND WEST CHAPELTON CRESCENT, BEARSDEN) (NO WAITING AND NO LOADING AT ANY TIME RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2019
The above-mentioned Traffic Regulation Order has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 4 November 2019. Enclosed are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the edition of the Milngavie & Bearsden Herald that is published on 20 September 2019.
(See attached file: 190911 West Chapelton Order & Schedules +Notice.pdf) Regards
Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
12 Strathkelvin Place Kirkintilloch G66 1TJ“

3.4 Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow City Council reply to GoBike comment on their rejection of our Objection to the removal of cycle lanes.

Just in this morning (17 September) Glasgow City Council reply to our second letter. Here’s our initial objection, the City Council response, GoBike’s second letter and now, here is the email received at 11:38 this morning:

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

Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE)(TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your comments, I can confirm the following:

My officers are committed to delivering cycle infrastructure improvements in accordance with the “Glasgow’s Strategic Plan for Cycling 2016-2025”. However, the strategy is quite clear, “Our transport planners will strive to ensure that, wherever appropriate, new road schemes and changes to existing roads infrastructure will be designed and implemented to reflect the needs of cyclists and a placemaking approach.” In effect officers have to take a balanced approach to facilitating the needs of the agreed transport hierarchy whilst considering a range of factors such as the wider strategic importance of the street for all stakeholders, the space available, consideration of alternative provisions and the consequences of individual design proposals.  Only after a proper balanced approach is assessed can a solution be delivered which is both fit for purpose and does not have significantly detrimental consequences for the surrounding network.

After careful consideration by my officers and their Planning colleagues, a full cycle segregation solution was not, unfortunately, deemed to be appropriate on University Avenue for the reasons previously stated in our response to your objection.

The GoBike solution: Full cycle-lane segregation with a single traffic lane in one direction only – does not fit in with the needs of the wider range of stakeholders, including pedestrians and more specifically public transport providers, their passengers and the emergency services.

With regard to the current temporary traffic management arrangement on University Avenue as not being “problematic”, this system is designed critically to permit traffic to flow in both directions (unlike your proposal). It is also designed as a temporary measure and has been deliberately implemented during the quietest summer period to minimise disruption. Such a system would not be approved as a permanent measure.

The Traffic Regulation Order process has to be addressed on a project-by-project basis. It is not possible to collectively group projects together so they can be reviewed and supported or objected to. Each project that requires a TRO has to have a separate consultation process and stand or fall based on its own merits.

I can confirm that your objection has been maintained and will be considered and included within the final report which will inform the final 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“

So, just in, but what next? Wonder when the final report will be published? We’ll keep you updated.

___________________________________________

Exciting times, indeed. Almost as exciting as B****t, but your Digest will be back next week, yes, next week, hopefully with a shorter edition. Then it’s September weekend, when some GoBikers are cycling the Borders and a bit of a wait until another edition currently planned for 15 October. Take care on your bike and enjoy your cycling.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Glasgow University Campus Development drop-in session, TODAY, 12 – 2pm
2. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
3. **NEW** Scottish Government, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Pre-Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland, closes 06 September
4. **NEW** Glasgow, Cleeves Quadrant Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
5. **NEW** Glasgow, Kingsland Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
6. **NEW** Glasgow, Leithland Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September
7. **NEW** Glasgow, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September
8. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street, on-line consultation closes 13 September
9. **NEW** UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon offsetting in transport, closes 26 September
10. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park Public Consultation Event 10 September
2. Advance Notice: Byres Road Public Realm Traffic Regulation Orders

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. University Avenue temporary closures – free of motor traffic weekends
2. East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 51, August 2019
3. Glasgow City Council response to our concerns on Parking Proposals for Mount Florida
4. Glasgow University Avenue, GoBike responds to the City Council’s rebuff of the Objection to the Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order
5. Renfrewshire City Deal, work starts on Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district
6. Glasgow, Beith Street, Planning Application for 48 flats, 19/02063/PPP to be built adjacent to National Cycle Route 7, GoBike objection
7. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street, consultation event 27 August

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 Glasgow University Drop-in Session for University staff and Residents TODAY, 12 – 2pm

Here’s an email that one of our supporters received yesterday afternoon:

“Please note that there will be a drop-in session for University staff and local residents about the University’s Campus Development Programme tomorrow (Tuesday 3 Sept).

It will be held in the Common Room of the Maths & Stats modular on University Place between 12:00–14:00.

Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions about issues including:

• Improvements to University Place
• Improvements to University Avenue
• James McCune Smith Learning Hub construction
• Future plans for the former Western Infirmary site
• Demolitions scheduled on Church Street “

We’ll let you consider the meaning of the word “improvement”!

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

Here’s the GoBike response to this consultation and here are the main points of interest and concern.

• Many of the statements in the Framework are ones we fully support, eg “fully accessible pedestrian/cycle routes along both banks (of the Clyde)”
• The current cycle infrastructure design guide for cycle infrastructure is Cycling by Design, which is almost 10 years old; we need cycle infrastructure that matches the world’s best
• We need to be clear that it will take political will and courage to transform Glasgow
• Streets must be designed for people, not motor traffic
• There is no time to waste
• Solutions need to be found for junctions; these are the danger points for active travellers and their design needs to be done before the streets between junctions
• Comprehensive cycle storage must be provided at all residential properties
• The provision for events to be held on Glasgow Green must ensure that through routes for walking and cycling are kept open

Do please write in to support our views or submit your own to ian.elder@glasgow.gov.uk

1.3 **NEW** Scottish Government, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Pre-Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland, closes 06 September

Transform Scotland have informed us of this consultation that closes next week, which has been called by the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, with this information:
“The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has launched a call for evidence on Pre Budget/Financial scrutiny on roads maintenance in Scotland. The Committee is seeking views on the efficacy of the current approach to roads maintenance in Scotland and the adequacy of current associated expenditure levels. Particularly on the following:
• How have recent spending decisions on roads maintenance affected the quality
of Scotland’s roads, road users, businesses, public services, and the economy?
• If spending on roads maintenance continues at current levels, what could be
the likely effects on the above groups.
• How could any negative effects of reduced road spending best be addressed?
• Is the current model of funding and delivering roads maintenance, which is split
between Transport Scotland and local authorities, the most economic and
efficient option?
The deadline for submissions is Friday 6 September. For more information and to submit evidence please see the attached information sheet.“

Here’s the link to the Transform Scotland reference and here’s the link to the information sheet (repeated from above) with details of how to get your comments in; the email address for responses is rec.committee@parliament.scot

And, putting us to shame, our sister group in Edinburgh are ahead of us on this, see: https://twitter.com/spokeslothian/status/1165726542963650561?s=12

Here’s the GoBike response, in which we raise the need to repair “tram-line” defects in roads and ensure all cycle facilities are well maintained. This will encourage people to switch their travel mode from car to bike and reduce the damage done to our roads – and to our health. We’ve gone slightly controversial on the topics of contracting out and can we expect a good service if we don’t pay for it? Do read it, though, and submit your views by Friday.

1.4 **NEW** Glasgow, Cleeves Quadrant Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

Here’s a road in Nitshill, G53, almost designed for boy racers, but where are people supposed to walk, where are people, particularly children or the infirm, supposed to cycle?
The City Council has pulled the following out of the “speeding cars” drawer, in this email sent to us on 20 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Cleeves Quadrant), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

Background to the proposed Scheme
The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds as a recent speed survey found the average speed to be 34mph and the 85^th percentile speed to be 41mph.

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

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        8 sets of 3, 1.6m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        1 set of 2, 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and number removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Here are the documents associated with the proposal: Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 3. It can be noted from the drawings that the minimum gap between the cushion and the edge of the road is 0.5, which is a touch narrow for comfort and what might look like raised junctions are in fact red lines on the drawings simply denoting junction areas. There will be no treatment of the junction areas.
People who are aware of driver behaviour on speed cushions will notice that there is quite a gap between cushions for acceleration and deceleration! Could be noisy.

Here is the GoBike response in which we object to the proposal in its current form and we suggest that stopping the road off to through traffic, while maintaining cycle access would be a better option.

1.5 **NEW** Glasgow, Kingsland Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

20 August was a good day for buying shares in speed cushions! Here’s the second proposal sent to us that day, for Kingsland Drive above and Thurston Road below, in the Cardonald/Hillington area, G52. The new scheme will start from the cushions in the foreground of the view above and continue west to Thurston Road.

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Kingsland Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

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

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Kingsland Drive
·        Thurston Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        5 sets of 3 (differing widths) 75mm high speed cushions.
·        3 sets of 2, 1.7m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully ...” etc

The plans referred to are: Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 3. It’s clear from the Google Earth shots above that footway parking is endemic in this area although I have been told that there wasn’t much when Glasgow City Council staff surveyed the area. This will already deter people from walking and cycling, and residential areas should be better than this. Where’s the ban on footway parking just when it’s needed?
Gaps between the proposed cushions and the kerb vary here from 0.6m to 1.0m and could easily be blocked by parked vehicles – when all the properties have private land off-road where they could store their vehicle(s).

This is the GoBike response in which we object to the proposals in their current form, suggesting that instead residents should be encouraged to park off-road and that chicanes, with cycle bypasses, should be introduced to cut sight lines and speeds.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow, Leithland Road Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 09 September

Leithland Road, in Pollok, G53, is the third on the list for speed cushion treatment and here’s the email received from the City Council on 20 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Leithland Road), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

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

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

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        5 sets of 2, 1.6m – 1.8m, 75mm high speed cushions.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 09 September 2019). Reply to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Again this is a residential street that is being marred by the thoughtless storage of motor vehicles. It’s clear that some residents have taken steps to garage their cars off-road but others seem to think the roadway is theirs, as well as the footway. 20mph roundels have previously been painted on the road but clearly they are no deterrent to the determined driver.

GoBike has submitted this letter of response. We suggest that, similarly to Kingsland Drive, those residents who don’t already park off-road should be encouraged to do so and buildouts/chicanes, with cycle bypasses, should be introduced.

1.7 **NEW** Glasgow, Helensburgh Drive Traffic Calming Scheme, closes 11 September

We are moving more into the leafy suburbs with the fourth of the set. This is the area near the High School of Glasgow and Jordanhill School and various sports facilities. Here’s the email we were sent on 21 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF KEVIN HAMILTON, HEAD OF ROADS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Sir / Madam
The Glasgow City Council, (Helensburgh Drive), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

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

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme
The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Helensburgh Drive
·        Jordanhill Drive
·        Ryvra Road
·        Seggielea Road

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
·        13 sets of 3 (differing widths) 75mm high speed cushions.
·        The installation of bollards beside the proposed speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days (Reply by 11 September 2019).
Please reply directly to LandServices.Mailroom@glasgow.gov.uk.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact (contact details removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully …” etc

Here are the documents sent with the email: Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3 and Plan 4.

As you can see from all the screenshots just about every property either has off-road parking or the capacity for such. You might also notice that every street in this area has setts in the gutters, which will make for bumpy cycling if you try to avoid the cushions by cycling at the edge of the road.

We consider that speed cushions are inappropriate here since they will push bikes onto the bumpy setts in the gutters. It’s very likely that the streets here are used to access Jordanhill School and we suggest that roads be stopped off to motor vehicles, leaving only one through route from Anniesland Road to Jordanhil School and that buildouts or chicanes, allowing cycle access, should be installed on that route. Here’s the letter of response.

1.8 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Prince’s Street, on-line consultation closes 13 September

The drop-in consultation events have been and gone and we have a report back in Item 3.7 below , but you can leave your comments on the Commonplace map. There is more information on the Connecting Woodside project here.

1.9 **NEW** UK Government, Department for Transport (DfT), Carbon offsetting in transport, closes 26 September

Transform Scotland alerted us to this one, with this link. Here’s the link to the UK Government website holding the Department for Transport document – only 18 pages, so quite short for a document of this type!
The email address for responses is Environmental.Strategy@dft.gov.uk
If you have any views do help us out by submitting them to consultations@gobike.org and we’ll use them in the GoBike response. Thanks.

1.10 Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

We gave this link in Digests 40 and 41, Item 1.3 and we will be working on the GoBike response straight after the submission for the St Enoch consultation. Do have a look and put your own views in; we need a greater focus on active travel and public transport and the more responses the better.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park Public Consultation Event 10 September

This is the event postponed from 22 August and will take place at Pollokshaws Library on Tuesday 10 September from 12noon until 8pm.
There were links to the documents supplied by Glasgow Life in Digest 41, Item 2.2. If you haven’t been involved to date this is your chance to get along to the Library and give your views towards improving active travel in and around Pollok Park. It’s open to all.

2.2 Advance Notice: Byres Road Public Realm Traffic Regulation Orders

Exciting news – progress on Byres Road and let’s hope it’s good. Here’s the email that we received from Glasgow City Council last Friday afternoon, 30 August:

“Dear Stakeholders,

At the end of April 2019, the Council’s Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm Committee approved concept designs for Byres Road subject to further design development.  Design work is ongoing however the Council will shortly be in a position to commence the statutory consultation process to promote new Traffic Regulation Orders that are required for implementation of the proposed works. 

Following consideration it is proposed that three separate Traffic Regulation Orders will be promoted to address the following issues:

Byres Road- Introduction of 20mph Speed Limit

This order will propose the introduction of a 20MPH speed limit on Byres Road to improve road safety and bring speed limits into line with surrounding residential areas.

Byres Road- Traffic Management and Parking Controls

This order will facilitate the proposed public realm improvements in Byres Road, including footway widening and new cycle lanes. The Order will propose a reduction in on-street car parking bays, the introduction of protected cycle lanes, additional disabled parking, the removal of the left-turn filter lane at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road and the introduction of a one-way arrangement on Byres Road and Church Street south of the Church Street junction.  The location of bus stops, loading bays and taxi ranks will be largely unchanged by the Order, although a new daytime taxi rank is proposed at Church Street to complement the University redevelopment works.

Hillhead- Traffic Management and Parking Controls

This order will propose the conversion of “residents only” parking bays to “shared use” bays in order to bring the parking regime in Hillhead into line with other residential areas within the west-end.  The order will also include proposals to pedestrianise Ashton Lane / Great George Lane with service access limited to specific times and controlled by drop-bollards. Residential access to the rear of Ashton Road will be maintained.

Please note that this communication is an advance notice of the forthcoming consultation – it is not the start of the consultation.  Officers are currently preparing the necessary documentation to commence the consultation process in September 2019. Public notices will include full details of the proposals and will advise members of the public of the deadline for the receipt of written submissions outlining grounds for objection or support of the proposed measures.  All submissions will be reviewed at the end of the consultation period and revisions considered dependent on the level and validity of objections received.

Best Regards,

Chris

Chris Burrows
Principal Officer- City Deal (Waterfront & West End)”

We will be looking out for these and hoping and checking that they meet with our aspirations. We’ll keep you informed.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 University Avenue temporary closures – free of motor traffic weekends

Yes, you might have noticed that University Avenue was free of motor vehicles at the weekend and there’s another one coming up, 14/15 September. Here’s the email (with the important bits in bold) that one of our members sent on:

From: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>
Subject: University Avenue temporary closures
Date: 26 August 2019 at 15:09:44 BST
To: Internal Communications <communications@glasgow.ac.uk>

Dear neighbour, 
University Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic in both directions over the weekends of 31 August/1 September and 14/15 September. The closures will start at 06:00 on Saturday and finish at 06:00 on Monday. The first will allow installation of a key part of the new James McCune Smith Learning Hub – the link bridge between the new building and the existing Boyd Orr Building. The second is to allow for the removal of the remaining tower crane. In both cases the road will be closed between the junctions for Ashton Road and University Gardens. The footpath on the west-bound carriageway, closest to the Wolfson Medical Building, will remain open so that pedestrians can still use the Avenue. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please note that the University and Multiplex will be holding a drop-in session on 3 September for our neighbours and staff. It will be held in the Common Room of the Maths & Stats modular building on University Place between 12:00–14:00 – please see map attached. It will be an opportunity to ask questions of the project team involved in the construction works happening around campus. For further information, please contact campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk or visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/campusdevelopment/

So it can be closed completely for two weekends but can’t accommodate cycle lanes for the full length?

3.2 East Dunbartonshire Council: LDP Newsletter No. 51, August 2019

Keeping us up-to-date with what’s going on around the north and north-east of Glasgow, here’s the latest Local Development Plan newsletter from East Dunbartonshire Council:

3.3 Glasgow City Council response to our concerns on Parking Proposals for Mount Florida

On 22 July as we reported in Digest 39, Item 1.4, GoBike submitted this letter to Glasgow City Council objecting to their plans to introduce angled parking by making streets one-way in Mount Florida.
We have now, 27 August, received this detailed reply:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (MOUNT FLORIDA), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
I can advise that these proposals have been implemented following discussions with the local community council.

Proposed one way streets
With regards to the proposed one way roads, the southern section of Clincart Road currently has vehicles parking parallel to the kerb on both sides, however, if the one way proposals are implemented, there is a desire from the local community to park their vehicles at an angle facing into the kerb on one side of the road in order to maximise parking provision.  The section of Bolton Drive that would become one way under these proposals currently has angled parking on one side of the road and parallel parking on the other.  As such, the road width between parked vehicles would be of similar width to roads within the West End of Glasgow where Police Scotland have previously raised concerns with one way except cyclists proposals.

The northern section of Clincart Road (between Cathcart Road and Florida Street) currently has vehicles parking at an angle on both sides of the road which leaves a minimal amount of space for a vehicle to pass through.  For the same reason as stated above, it is unlikely that Police Scotland would support one way except cyclists at this location due to the limited carriageway width between the parked vehicles.

The middle section of Clincart Road (between Bolton Drive and Florida Street) currently has parallel parking on both sides of the road, however, if a one way operation is implemented, it is possible that vehicles may change to angled parking on one side of the road.  If they continued to park in the manner as they do just now, allowing contraflow cycling within this small section of road could lead to confusion given that it would not be permitted on the other sections of Clincart Road.

The carriageway width between parked vehicles on Florida Street is approximately 3.8 metres however, as mentioned above, allowing contraflow cycling on one street where it is not permitted within its adjacent streets would likely create confusion for both drivers and cyclists. 

It should also be noted that on one way roads, the Council aim to have a minimum carriageway width of 3.5 metres for vehicles to pass through.  In accordance with Cycling by Design 2010 (Revision 1, June 2011) guidelines, dedicated cycle lanes for cyclists should be no less than 1.2 metres in width.  As such, if the carriageway width on one way roads for vehicles/cyclists to pass one another is less than 4.7 metres, the Council would be unlikely to propose contraflow cycling on the grounds of road safety. 

Buildouts
With regards to a number of proposed buildouts at bus stops on Cathcart Road, the reason for doing so is to maximise parking and loading provision adjacent to local businesses.  As you may be aware, if buildouts were not considered, bus stop cages would require to be marked on the road at a length of at least 25 metres which would have a knock on effect on parking and loading provision for local businesses.

Parking/loading restrictions at junctions
Whilst I note your comments relating to the Highway Code, I can advise that parking attendants can only carry out enforcement where there are restrictions in place which are covered by a traffic regulation order.  As such, the proposed waiting/loading restrictions are necessary in order to prevent the current indiscriminate and obstructive parking practices being experienced within the area.

Restricted Parking Zone surrounding Hampden Stadium
Restricted Parking Zones (RPZ) are generally implemented within areas which suffer from high levels of commuter parking.  Whilst there are a number of railway stations within the Mount Florida area, there has been no major concerns expressed to the Council relating to commuter parking.
As such, unless there is a sudden increase in commuter parking within the area, there is no requirement to proposed a RPZ surrounding Hampden Stadium at this time.

Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 17 September 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by 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 ...” etc

There we have it: if residents and businesses want parking, they got it, even to the detriment of the active travel community and all the grand documents that the City Council and Scottish Government produce.
Note too, how open the City Council is to angled parking, even though drivers will then reverse out into the roadway when they have very limited visibility of the road, a move not endorsed by the Highway Code.
Here’s a good analysis of angled parking that a GoBike member found: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2008/01/03/the-case-against-pull-in-angle-parking/ Even though it’s quite old and from the US it’s to the point.
Did we ask in our submission for separate cycle lanes on these one-way streets to facilitate contraflow cycling? No, we didn’t, yet the response uses the excuse that the streets, once they have been narrowed to allow all this parking are too narrow for a “dedicated cycle lane”. Contraflow cycling is the default in Cycling by Design and is common practice elsewhere and is even a feature of some Glasgow streets. It would be good to have a discussion on permeability for cycle traffic with both the City Council and Police Scotland, to discover the source of this oft-quoted objection!

We are considering a response.

3.4 Glasgow University Avenue, GoBike responds to the City Council’s rebuff of the Objection to the Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order

No doubt most of you remember our campaign of last winter and spring to ensure the maintenance of the through cycle lanes on University Avenue and their upgrade from the painted lines of the Colleges Cycle Route to lanes physically separated from motor traffic?
On 07 June we submitted this letter of Objection to the TRO that introduced painted cycle lanes on the uphill sections only but maintained two-way traffic and allowed loading.
On 13 August we received this email reply from Glasgow City Council, which we reproduced in full in Digest 41, Item 3.8.
As noted last time, we were not favourably impressed with that reply and on 30 August submitted this reply to Andy Waddell, Head of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability at the Council, with a copy to Michael Matheson, MSP and Minister of Transport, the Active Nation Commissioner, Lee Craigie, Councillor Anna Richardson, Patrick Harvie MSP and Patrick Grady MP.

GoBike members spend so much time responding to Traffic Regulation Orders that are clearly not in compliance with the Connectivity Commission, the target of 10% of journeys by bike by 2020 that was first downgraded to an aim, then an aspiration and now a lost dream and all the other high-level documents lauding active travel. Once there is work to do on the ground a knee-jerk reaction appears to set in and the motor vehicle reigns supreme. We need policies that operate at all levels to promote walking and cycling and the good health that activity promotes.

3.5 Renfrewshire City Deal, work starts on Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district

Here are some of the details of the latest newsflash about the Renfrewshire City Deal progress – the full document is here.

“A new manufacturing district in Renfrewshire which will create thousands of new jobs for the sector is a step closer as work has now started on the site of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

Renfrewshire pupils from Inchinnan Primary were also on hand to plant a tailor-made time capsule on the site, packed full of local manufacturing mementos together with the children’s ‘dream inventions’ – covering everything from glasses that can see emotions to a self-navigating bike.

Work has now started on constructing the enabling infrastructure, which includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways, being delivered by the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project which is funded through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments.”

3.6 Glasgow, Beith Street, Planning Application for 48 flats, 19/02063/PPP to be built adjacent to National Cycle Route 7, GoBike objection

GoBike’s just-in-time objection to this proposal is on the City Council’s planning portal, use the reference number 19/02063/PPP or “Beith Street” to search. Once there are more than 6 objections a planning application has to go to committee; this one has well over a hundred, so let hope it’s drummed out. Here’s our objection if you don’t wish to search.

We are generally not able to respond to Planning Applications but we were alerted to this one because it impacts on National Cycle Route 7, which is in a parlous state as it runs along a shared footway at the west end of Beith Street.

If you are on your local Community Council and/or you hear of a Planning Application that will affect cycle routes do let us know.

3.7 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Prince’s Street, consultation event 27 August

We are indebted to one of our members who attended this event for this feedback:

“The section of St George’s Road, which was the focus of the event, is fairly straightforward. There are three key issues:

1. Where the bidirectional lanes will cross from the east side to the west side, north of St George’s Cross – not yet fixed.
2. The junction with North Woodside Road
3. The pedestrian crossings north of North Woodside Road. They appear to have decided that the main crossing should be at St George’s in the Field, which leads to a pend into Braid Square. The carriageway would also be ‘punched at this point to force drivers to slow and to alternate between north and southbound vehicles. It was shown as a zebra. The existing crossing at the nursery, might be retained (with ‘pinching’), but, if the North Woodside Road junction is signalised (which is an option) then the crossing would move to close to the junction.

A good point was that the display included a map of the entire Connecting Woodside area, with drawings and visualisations of The Underline, the reestablishment of St George’s Cross as a public space, the West Prince’s St Drawings, The south St George’s Road drawings, The Garscube Road drawings, the proposals for Cambridge Street and for a Renfrew Street ‘avenue’. This gave a sense of context, for the actual section being discussed.”

There is still time for you to respond to the on-line consultation – it’s open until 13 September. See the details here.

So there’s your exciting bumper bundle of joy and despair. Back in two weeks with more for you.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September
2. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street on-line consultation closes 13 September
3. Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street consultation event 27 August
2. Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August, NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Avenues preview events for Renfrew, Killermont and North Hanover Streets, 06 August
2. Glasgow, Construction work to start on University Place
3. East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Information Session 13 August
4. ScotRail Cycle Forum 15 August
5. New cycling offences: an update from CyclingUK
6. Glasgow City Council (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order 201, GCC response to GoBike submission
7. Glasgow, support for the ban on cars at school gates
8. Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order, GCC response to GoBike objection

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

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

We are still working on this, which we first advertised in Digest 37, Item 1.7 and we will definitely have our response in the next Digest on Tuesday 03 September, just before the closing date.

1.2 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street on-line consultation closes 13 September

In our Consultation Extra on 12 August we gave the details for the two Consultation events, one last week on 15 August and one next Tuesday (see below, item 2.1 for more details). However, there is also on-line consultation so please do complete this: see the details here.

1.3 Scotland, Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, closes 23 October

We gave this link in Digest 40 and we will be working on the GoBike response straight after the submission for the St Enoch consultation. Do have a look and put your own views in; we need a greater focus on active travel and public transport and the more responses the better.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, St George’s Road and West Princes Street Consultation Event Tuesday 27 August, 3-7pm

As per our Consultation Extra a week ago the City Council and Sustrans will be at Woodside Library on St George’s Road on Tuesday 27th August, from 3-7pm. Here’s the link to the Connecting Woodside update with the details.

2.2 Glasgow, Pollok Country Park – Project Update and Public Consultation Event, 22 August, NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER

Despite our reports in the last 2 Digests, we received this message on 06 August, just after Digest 40 was issued that:

“As part of the Transforming Pollok Country Park project, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life are developing proposals to improve access to and within Pollok Country Park. Following a period of engagement, emerging proposals are now entering the pre-planning phase and will then form the subject of a planning application later this year.
Please find attached documents relating to the Proposal of Application Notice that was submitted today (6^th August) for access proposals in Pollok Country Park.
As part of the pre-planning process, a consultation event will take place at Pollokshaws Library on the rescheduled date of 10^th September from 12 noon – 8pm which you are welcome to attend and will allow the opportunity for comments.
Kind Regards,
Glasgow City Council/Glasgow Life”

Here are the four documents that are mentioned: Site Plan, the Exhibition Leaflet, the Proposal of Application Notice and the Letter of Invitation to Consultees.

Do try and get along to the event if you can; most of us go to, or through Pollok Park at times and the proposals do appear to be genuinely active travel friendly.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Avenues preview events for Renfrew, Killermont and North Hanover Streets, 06 August

This event, held by Civic Engineers, who are carrying out the design work of this part of the City Deal Avenues project for Glasgow City Council, was well attended with good support for the proposals. The main points raised were:

• The aim is to normalise cycling; the main speaker was keen to say that the avenues are not for speed cycling.
• The amount of tarmac on the 16 core streets of the Avenues programme will be reduced, with swales and rain gardens introduced to absorb rain water – and to improve the environment.
• The project is in line with the aims of the Connectivity Commission, encouraging active travel for all abilities, reducing private car use in the city and encouraging use of public transport.
• The through cycle route along Sauchiehall Street will continue to Cambridge Street, then to Renfrew Street, Killermont Street and North Hanover Street.
• There will be no shared space.
• Discussions are taking place with SPT and bus operators about changing/reducing access to the bus station.
• The overall timescale is tight, but the tender package for Argyle Street (also part of the work being done by Civic Engineers) will be issued by the end of 2019 with work possibly starting as early as next spring.
• Questions asked by the audience included a request for contraflow cycling on connecting streets such as the one-way section of Renfrew Street at the west end, for traffic lights to be phased to give active travel priority and a concern that cars might use Townhead as a rat-run if access to North Hanover Street is reduced.

3.2 Glasgow, Construction work to start on University Place from 12 August

We know that cycling, and widespread consultation, was only an afterthought in a lot of Glasgow University’s planning but here’s some information that one of our members received on 05 August and passed on to us:

“Dear neighbour,
Please note that parking will be removed and barriers erected on University Place from Monday 12 August to allow for infrastructure and landscaping works through the University of Glasgow’s Campus Development Programme.
Construction will be ongoing until early 2021, to create a pedestrian and cycle priority route between Byres Road and University Avenue.
The works will also improve the look and feel of the environment, turning University Place into an accessible and attractive gateway for the new Western campus, including a small number of disabled parking spaces at its western end.
Parking on University Place is currently unrestricted and not covered by the University’s permit scheme.
Residents of University Place and staff requiring access to the underground car parks at the Wolfson Medical and BHF Sir Graeme Davis Buildings, staff of the NHS Pharmacy facility, as well as service and emergency vehicles, will still be able to access University Place.
The street will be open to pedestrians and cyclists during the works, and be one-way for cars, from University Avenue towards Byres Road.
The road will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists during the works. University Place will also be made one-way for cars, from University Avenue towards Byres Road.
Please see the plan for University Place works for more details. 
Construction will start in August with drainage works at the West (Byres Road) end of University Place, working along the road towards University Avenue.
Later in the year, landscaping and resurfacing work will begin from the East (University Avenue) end of the road and work back along towards Byres Road. This work will complete in early 2021 in time for the opening of the Clarice Pears Building, which will house the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing. 
Cycle racks, currently located outside the Wolfson Medical Building, will be relocated temporarily the Bower Building. Once complete, the landscaping for University Place will include over 100 cycle parking spaces.
The Next Bike facility will remain in its present location, however a new permanent location will be constructed nearby as part of the improvements.
Read more about the University’s Campus Development Programme
For any feedback please contact campus-development@glasgow.ac.uk”

One bit of good news in the above is that the one-way restriction applies only to cars, so University Place will remain two-way for people walking or cycling.

3.3 East Renfrewshire, Aurs Road Upgrade and Realignment Project – Information Session 13 August

GoBike was invited to this session and one of our members attended. Here is the feedback:

The scheme is being designed by Peter Brett Associates who have been given a wide brief to create not just a realigned road but an active travel route which will in time link into a visitor centre.

1. The scheme is to realign Aurs Road from Springhill Rd to Stewarton Rd. Major bends will be removed and speed limits will be reduced from the current 60mph to 30 mph & 40 mph depending on location
2. As yet not all funding is in place but there is expectation that funds will be located (e.g. from Sustrans) allowing the complete project as envisaged to be completed.
3. It is planned that this is part of a larger overall redevelopment and to fit in with new housing north of the railway line and a visitor centre. There will also be a new 100place car park south of the Balgray Reservoir to allow folk access to the area.
4. There is also talk of a new railway station, Barrhead South, north of Balgray Reservoir, to serve the new housing, but the likelihood/timetabling are very unclear.
5. The essence of the plan is to take the bends out of the road, reduce the speed limit to 30/40mph and provide lighting. If they did nothing else the cycling environment would be greatly improved, particularly in winter. They also plan a cycleway and footway to the west of the existing road. For most of the length these will be segregated and in the case of the cycleway up to 3m in width. In some areas, in particular near the area of the proposed car park, limitations of space mean that shared space is inevitable. Space over much of the length is certainly a problem and to get the cycleway built means building a boardwalk over the edge of the reservoir itself. All very ambitious. Note that the cycleway will be lit.

We have some concerns, particularly about the start and end points and will be following them up.
Note that planning permission has not yet been sought. Once this has happened the plans will go on line.
The hope is to tender in the next 2-3 months with works starting in April 2020. The road will be closed in its entirety and the works will take (at least?) a year to complete.
The presentation given at the event is here.

3.4 ScotRail Cycle Forum 15 August

ScotRail hold their Cycle Forum two or three times per year and GoBike was represented at the most recent, held in Glasgow on 15 August. The main points of interest were:

• From May 2020 dedicated cycle carriages will be added to the formation of trains where there is mandatory booking, starting with Glasgow to Oban, followed by Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig and then the Far North Lines.
• ScotRail have a Cycle Fund which awards match funding to such projects as improving cycle access to railway stations. GoBike is hoping to meet with ScotRail and Sustrans, and eventually the City Council, to explore improving links to stations in Glasgow.
• ScotRail is to review its policy on the carriage of electric bikes, which are currently officially banned on all UK trains because of concern about the batteries! It was suggested at the meeting that owners are probably unaware of this policy and load them onto trains anyway.
• ScotRail is reviewing its cycle hire scheme in light of usage and other schemes in operation.
• There is ongoing concern about the carriage of bikes on HSTs to intermediate stations that are unstaffed.
• Generally the carriage of bikes works well.

3.5 New cycling offences: an update from Cycling UK

Last September, in Digest 17, Item 1.8 we informed you of “Open Consultation from the UK Government, Department of Transport, New Cycling Offences, Causing Death or Serious Injury while Cycling”. Cycling UK were quick off the mark to submit opposition to the proposals and GoBike supported the move, calling for a complete overhaul of road traffic offences.
Many of us who are individual members of Cycling UK added our voice and the following update was received on 07 August:

“Last autumn, the Government launched a consultation on new cycling offences.
You were one of over 13,000 people who supported Cycling UK and called on Government to stop tinkering around the edges and, instead, to launch the wholescale review of road traffic offences first promised in 2014.
Ten months on, we’ve finally had some news.
Last month’s Road Safety Statement listed 74 upcoming actions to improve road safety and, interestingly, plans to introduce new cycling offences were not included. Instead there was an acknowledgement that this is “a complex area” and that the Government is “considering bringing forward legislation to deal with this”.
Although this may seem insignificant, and we wouldn’t suggest reading too much into it, it’s a shift in position from the infamous announcement from the Conservative twitter account last year announcing that they were “cracking down on dangerous cyclists”.
So, let’s just say we’re more optimistic than we were this time last year – and that’s thanks to you, and 13,000 others, taking the time to write to the Government and your MP.
With Parliament on summer recess, and a new Transport Minister recently appointed, we’ll be sure to keep you updated as things develop over the coming months.
In the meantime, the urgent issue for cycling is the upcoming Government spending review: cycling needs more investment to ensure it’s safer and more widely accessible.
Please support our campaign for cycling funding by writing to Chris Heaton-Harris, the new Minister responsible for cycling.  
Duncan Dollimore
Head of Campaigns
Cycling UK“

Those of us fortunate enough to live in Scotland do not have a new Transport Minister, so if you do wish to ask the Scottish Government for more cycle funding do please contact Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

3.6 Glasgow City Council (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order 201

GoBike support for this move, with the concern about the city’s patchwork approach to implementing 20mph across the city, was given in Digest 39, Item 1.5 and here’s the response we received on 08 August.
There’s a lot of detail about how the zone will be applied but still no recognition of the speeding that clearly occurs on streets that are already 20mph, eg the Broomielaw and the High Street.

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (NORTH KELVIN, NORTH WOODSIDE AND WOODLANDS), (MANDATORY 20MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 201_
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order, your comments have been noted.
I can advise that the funding has been made available through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme funded by Transport Scotland as part of the Connecting Woodside project to introduce mandatory 20mph speed limit zones within the residential areas.
The 20mph speed limit zones will be signposted according to the TSRGD 2016 and there will be triangular lamp-post wraps prior to the 20mph speed enforcement coming into effect to notify the public of the new speed limits in the area.
I refer to the extremely positive change in regulations outlined in the recent Transport Scotland document titled the ‘Good Practice Guide on 20mph Speed Restrictions’.  Whilst this guidance allows certain areas to be considered without physical traffic calming measures, unfortunately the council are unable to make the full council boundary a mandatory 20mph speed limit zone at this time.  This would require substantial funds given the sheer volume of work that would require to be undertaken such as speed surveys, material costs and physical traffic calming measures required throughout the council boundary, particularly on existing roads with existing speed limits of 40mph and above. 
The Police are included in the consultation process when a 20mph zone is being introduced.  However, following Transport Scotland guidance and by introducing traffic calming measures where speeds are above 24mph, it is intended that the zones are mainly self-enforcing.  Indeed, during discussions with Police Scotland Officers, they have indicated that they support the Council’s traffic calming policy.  The Council has no direct input into where and when the police carry out enforcement. 
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
Steven Gray
Assistant Group Manager (Sustainable Transport)
Neighbourhoods and Sustainability“

3.7 Glasgow, support for the ban on cars at school gates

In Digest 34, Item 1.3, we published the proposals for banning cars from accessing close to the gates of six primary schools in the city. This has now achieved the support of Evening Times readers, see: https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17832845.car-ban-glasgow-primary-schools-city-backing/?ref=ebln
Let’s hope now that the practice is spread to all schools across the city and beyond.

3.8 Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls Order, GCC response to GoBike objection

Many of you will remember the demonstration we had in February to demonstrate that painted cycle lanes offer no protection to people trying to cycle over the hill that is University Avenue and we submitted this letter of objection in June to the City Council.

We received this response on 13 August:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dear Ms Fort
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
With regards to your concerns:
The University of Glasgow’s proposals for University Avenue and University Place were developed in consultation with Council officers and following consideration of all options available, including the incorporation of segregated cycle lanes in University Avenue and the introduction of bus gates at either end of the Avenue.

Options investigated the requirements for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport provision, University and local access issues and wider traffic management issues in line with the established hierarchy.

The resultant proposal significantly improves pedestrian passage both along and across University Avenue and has removed all existing parking. However, it was necessary to accommodate public transport routes in both directions as well as larger bus stops at the University. The two way traffic corridor will also accommodate emergency service vehicles and local service access. To mitigate other traffic access, a supporting Traffic Regulation Order will reduce the speed limit to 20mph. More severe traffic restrictions e.g. bus gates, were found to have a detrimental impact on adjacent streets such as Byres Road and were therefore discounted.

Unfortunately, due to land availability, local topography and a number of listed structures, it was not practicable to accommodate fully segregated cycle lanes in both directions. This is demonstrated in your own proposals which resulted in a single 3m one-way traffic lane and would not be supported by the Council, and would be likely to raise objections from other stakeholders including emergency services and bus operators. When considering the 20mph speed limit, the need to accommodate bus stops for large numbers of passengers and the sharp gradients, up to 8%, and campus cycle access available at either end of University Avenue, it was concluded that the mandatory cycle lanes would be provided only on the uphill sections.

The University has also taken a number of steps to improve the local campus environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The campus will be opened up with a number of signed routes, routes will remain accessible after hours. Car parking on the campus will be significantly reduced and other vehicle access controlled. Public realm including cycle storage facilities will be improved.

Addressing your specific observations:

1. The painted cycle lanes are dangerous.

Painted lines are a recognised means of cycle lane provision. It is noted that they are not ideal but they are the best that can be practicably achieved in this particular location. The university will investigate the practicability of introducing forms of light segregation, however there are concerns that this in turn may introduce a trip hazard.

2. The design of the painted cycle lanes within the TRO makes cycling even more dangerous.

Bus stops are located on either side of the crossing at the junction with Hillhead Street and, as there was insufficient road width to provide lay-bys, without the loss of pedestrian space, this made any opportunity to provide cycle lanes over the entire length of University Avenue impracticable.

The designers were required to work within the bounds of the existing public road limits. Unfortunately, as noted above, segregated cycle routes cannot physically be accommodated in both directions. Due to the grades it was determined that segregated cycle lanes on the downhill sections would be a greater risk due to the lack of width and proximity of pedestrians on narrower footways.

3. Painted cycle lanes on University Avenue do not prevent waiting, loading or parking.

The formalisation of the cycle lane means that if a vehicle crosses over the solid white cycle lane for any reason – for example, to drop off a passenger – they are in contravention of the Highway Code and this would be a police enforcement matter.

Practically, a vehicle stopping for any reason would block the carriageway and would be likely to be moved on by other road users. Equally a segregated lane would not completely deter dropping off activities.

4. The plans are in contravention of the Transport Hierarchy.

The plans are in accordance with the Transport Hierarchy as they prioritise pedestrian safety above all others by widening the footways and improving crossing facilities. It is necessary to maintain the route for two-way public transport, and private vehicle use has been affected with the removal of all parking spaces on University Avenue as well as the reduction to a 20MPH speed limit zone. Whilst full segregation has not been provided, the reduced speed limit and removal of vehicle parking spaces will benefit cycling. These measures are consistent with Cycling by Design.

Cycling by Design (2010) Hierarchy of Measures, “It should be recognised that measures are more easily accepted and implemented if they directly benefit the wider community, not simply existing cyclists. Strategies that emphasise safety in terms of motorised traffic restraint and speed reduction while promoting health and sustainability will aid the development of cycling.”

5. The plans fail to recognise Climate Change Emergency status.

University Avenue has to maintain accessible for public transport in both directions. Modelling was carried out on potentially making University Avenue a bus only route; this was not feasible due to the level of disruption that would be created on Byres Road, Great Western Road and Dumbarton Road, and the associated side streets in the area. Similarly, a one-way street would not be possible either.

6. The plans fail to recognise recommendations made within the Connectivity Commission Report.

Policies can only be applied within the context of the local situation and if delivery is reasonably practicable in terms of issues such as physical aspects, user priorities, essential requirements and wider cost implications. Where you are seeking to adapt an existing streetscape it is not always possible to accommodate all aspirations in one situation. In the case of University Avenue, the reasons why it was not feasible to reallocate road space in strict accordance with the user hierarchy -which would see a larger portion of the road being dedicated to cyclists – are derived from the presence of physical constraints (level change, gradient and pinch point) which, if a segregated route was to be introduced, would compromise the safety of the most vulnerable road users i.e. pedestrians.

8. Double yellow lines with kerb marked lines are not legally compatible with mandatory cycle lanes.

The double yellow line marking restrictions apply from the heel of the footway to the centre of the carriageway. As previously mentioned, the solid white line marked cycle lanes are the boundary in which a vehicle cannot cross over. A vehicle is still within their right to drop off a passenger without crossing over the white solid line marked cycle lane. Any form of waiting beyond the reasonable amount of time for a passenger to board or alight is a traffic offence.

Glasgow City Council do not have a policy on the use of red line markings; there is potential for future implementation around the city with red line markings, however, the policy would have to be created to allow for this.

9. The TRO drawing is inconsistent with other approved planning drawings.

Whilst the omission of the drop off lay-by on the TRO drawing is noted it does not affect the actual restriction. The lay-by is for drop off only and parking would be an offence as it would on the rest of the carriageway.

10. Lack of public support.

The TRO process allows the public to formally object to the proposals and I can advise that the Council received 26 formal objections to the TRO. Several of these objections were supportive of the 20 mph speed limit.

Considering that staff and students of the university alone amount to almost 40,000 people, a figure increased significantly when considering local residents and businesses in the Hillhead / Byres Road area, the level of objection is relatively low in terms of other TRO consultations.

Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 3^rd September 2019 by writing to Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, House, Glasgow City Council, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to 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” etc

Needless to say we are not favourably impressed, we will not withdraw our objection on the strength of this response and might even reply to the City Council.

Sorry to end on a low note but there is some good news above and let’s hope we get some more before the next Digest is due out at the start of September.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. ** NEW** City of Edinburgh Council– Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, closes 28 June
2. **NEW** Glasgow, Broomfield Road Traffic Calming, closes 05 July
3. **NEW** Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue Traffic Calming, closes 05 July
4. Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking and loading restrictions to allow construction of 2-way cycle lanes, closes 12 July
5. Glasgow, Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July
6. **NEW** Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order , closes 02 August
7. **NEW** Glasgow, St Enoch District Regeneration Framework Public Consultation, closes 06 September

Section 2: Forthcoming Consuitations

None that we have heard about.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Sunnybank Street, traffic calming: GoBike response and eye-watering view from the City Council
2. Glasgow, Denmark Street, no waiting and loading: GoBike response
3. Glasgow, University Avenue, Traffic Regulation and Parking controls: holding response
4. East Dunbartonshire: Traffic Regulation Orders – (i) Car Park Charging in Bishopbriggs & Bearsden; and (ii) Westerhill Rd, Bishopbriggs Waiting & Loading Restrictions
5. Glasgow, Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West: implementation of 20mph

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for responses

1.1 **NEW** City of Edinburgh Council– Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, closes this Friday, 28 June

Do you live, work or study in Edinburgh or do you visit there regularly? If so please do respond to this on-line survey. You will be asked for your postcode but do explain your reasons for visiting the city and responding to the survey – and respond by Friday, please.

We heard about this easy-to-do on-line consultation from both Transform Scotland and CyclingUK Scotland.
Here are the words from The City of Edinburgh Council’s website:

“Our vision for Edinburgh’s city centre is ambitious and firmly grounded in the aspirations of the people of Edinburgh. The proposals build on the ‘Connecting our City, Transforming our Places’ consultation and ongoing discussions with residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders, which called for significant change to the way the city centre operates, placing outcomes for people at the heart of future change.
The proposals are designed to prompt debate. Your feedback will help shape the final version of the Strategy and guide future project development, which would include detailed design and further consultation”.

The deadline for the consultation is Friday 28 June. To respond visit the City of Edinburgh Council consultation hub.

1.2 **NEW** Glasgow, Broomfield Road Traffic Calming, closes 05 July

Here’s a nice, stratight road and just look where it is – in the north-east of the city, where we recently responded to consultation on North-East Travel Routes from Balornock into the city centre via Springburn and Sighthill:

It’s near schools, 2 parks, churches, a bowling club, a job centre and even a shopping centre – all the sort of short journeys we are told, time and time again, that are suitable for walking and cycling. What does the City Council wish to do? Provide cycle lanes to link to the others proposed for this area and encourage people to cycle? No, they propose to put speed cushions down to slow the cars. A good move but so much more could be done. With cycle lanes next to the footways and a minimum of on-road parking allowed, the road would automatically be narrowed, vehicles would thus reduce their speed and this area could become really pleasant.

Here’s the email we received from the City Council on 14 June:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (Broomfield Road), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Calming Scheme and I wish to establish the views of your organisation.

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

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

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

• 5 sets of 3x 1.8m x 1.8m, 75mm high speed cushions.
• 1 set of 4 x 1.9m x 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions.

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days.
In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone no removed by GoBike)

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

Here are the documents referred to above: Spec and Plan

There is only 1m allowed each side of the cushions at the kerb side, not much room for bikes, particularly cargo bikes or bikes with trailers so GoBike will be approving the wish to slow down motor traffic but objecting to the proposed method of doing so. Active travel should be the first consideration in such locations.

1.3 **NEW** Glasgow, Ladyloan Avenue Traffic Calming, closes 05 July

More speed cushions are proposed for this location in the west of Glasgow, to reduce speeds near a primary school. Like Broomfield Road, this is not one of the more prosperous parts of the city, but there are amenities, again, within easy walking and cycling distance. Why isn’t active travel to the school being encouraged? Why aren’t roads near the school being closed to motor traffic at the start and end of the school day, as they are at Hillhead and Broomhill in the West End and at others in the city?

The road is perhaps not as wide as Broomfield Road, but with some thought cycle lanes could be accommodated, as well as some on-road, rather than on-footway parking, and the narrowing this would bring would slow motor traffic down. Here’s the email we received from the City Council on 14 June:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (Ladyloan Avenue), Traffic Calming Scheme 20__

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

Background to the proposed Scheme
The scheme is aimed at improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds around the area of St Clare’s Primary School.

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

Details of the proposed Scheme
The proposed Scheme (as depicted on the attached plan) will comprise of:-
• 4 sets of 1.9m x 1.9m, 75mm high speed cushions

Please provide any comments you wish to make on these proposals within 21 days.

In the meantime, should you require any further information or clarification on any points arising from the proposals, do not hesitate to contact my assistant (name and phone no removed by GoBike).
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully” etc

The associated documents are: Plan and Spec

The gap proposed between the cushions and the kerb is, as per the previous item, down at 1m, rather than the 1.2m, used as standard by other sections of Glasgow City Council, that does give bikes a modest bit of space at the edge of a road.
GoBike will be writing in to request a more active-travel friendly solution.

1.4 Glasgow, Garscube Road, parking and loading restrictions to allow construction of 2-way cycle lanes, closes 12 July

We published all the information about these exciting proposals for a two-way cycle lane on the east side of Garscube Road in Digest 36, Item 1.4 and our response, generally supportive, will be in our next Digest, due out on 09 July – just in time for you to add your voice to the City Council.

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

All the details of this interesting consultation were in Digest 36, Item 1.5. We have had a few comments back but we will be getting our response back in, in good time.

1.6 **NEW** Glasgow (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands)(Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order , closes 02 August

Yet another section of the patchwork 20mph blanket that is slowly covering the city. What a shame the Restricted Roads (20mph Limit) (Scotland) Bill was voted down earlier this month. Mark Ruskell, the Green MSP who launched it, battles on, but we are left with this piecemeal approach, unless Glasgow City Council takes some decisive action.
This proposal covers the area straddling Great Western Road bordered by Queen Margaret Drive in the west and, moving clockwise, Maryhill Road, St George’s Road, Woodlands Road and the River Kelvin.
Here’s the email that arrived from Glasgow City Council on 20 June:

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

Dear Sir or Madam

The Glasgow City Council, (North Kelvin, North Woodside and Woodlands), (Mandatory 20mph Speed Limit Zone) Order 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the notice of the proposed Order, relevant maps, 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 ground for objection in writing to to Group Manager, Sustainable Transport, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday, 2 August 2019.

Yours faithfully”
etc

The documents referred to are: the Advert, Plan, Report and Statement of Reasons.

GoBike will be supporting this but adding our usual comment that, if this is the safe way to go, why isn’t 20mph being introduced across the city?

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

We had heard that this was on its way, as we noted last time, and now we have received this email, dated 19 June:

“Hi all,
Thank you for your responses during the Broomielaw DRF consultation.  
Public consultation is now underway for the St Enoch DRF and we would like your input.
Please find attached  links to St Enoch DRF public consultation: https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicDMartCurrent&NoIP=1
https://glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=45486&p=0

Best regards,
John.
John McCullagh
Project Assistant, City Centre Regeneration, Development & Regeneration Services”

According to the Framework document the area covered is:

“The Framework encompasses north and south banks of the River Clyde, which runs east to west through the heart of the study area, from Glasgow Green to Glasgow Central Station. The Framework area includes parts of the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods beyond what would be commonly referred to as St Enoch. On the north bank the Framework area includes part of the Merchant City, Custom House Quay, St Andrews in the Square, part of Glasgow Green. On the south bank, Carlton Place and the Gorbals (the northern fringe of Laurieston and the northwest corner of Hutchesontown). The northern Framework boundary runs parallel with the River Clyde and is defined by London Road to Glasgow Cross, along Argyle Street, to the western edge of Glasgow Central. The western boundary is defined by Oswald Street north of the Clyde, across the River Clyde via the King George V bridge to Commerce Street between the River Clyde and Nelson Street. The southern boundary is defined from Commerce Street by Norfolk St. and Ballater St. which run through areas of significant regeneration, the Gorbals; Laurieston and Hutchesontown, past the Gorbals Health Centre to the Waddell Court residential tower blocks. The eastern boundary is defined from Ballater St. through the Adelphi Court, across the River Clyde to Glasgow Green along the path, east of the boathouse, to Charlotte St where it meets London Road. “

There’s lots of promising stuff in there that needs some perusal, but we are on the case and hope to have a response ready to go in August.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Sunnybank Street, traffic calming: GoBike response and eye-watering view from the City Council

Details of this proposal for speed cushions along Sunnybank Street to slow traffic down near the new school (being built behind the hoarding on the photo above) were contained in Digest 36, Item 1.3. We wrote in to Glasgow City Council to ask about the status of the bus/taxi/cycle gate at the north end of Sunnybank Street on 13 June but no response had been received by 20 June when this letter of objection to the proposals was submitted. It’s a nonsense to have a new school, in what was an athletes’ village, with no cycle access for the school pupils, their parents and teachers.
Then, on 23 June, an email, dated 21 June, landed in the Consultations in-box and it is staggering! This “gate” has apparently been painted on the road for at least 5 years but is inoperative! Read on for the full text of the GCC response (operative clause put in bold by GoBike) and the GoBike request for clarity:

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

Dear Ms Fort
Thank you for your undernoted email regarding the proposed traffic calming for Sunnybank Street and your enquiry concerning the status of the bus gate at Springfield Road.

I can confirm that a Traffic Regulation Order was not promoted for the bus gate and as such it cannot be enforced. As part of the works for implementing the proposed traffic calming for Sunnybank Street, the existing bus gate signage and associated markings will be removed and replaced with new traffic calming ahead signage.

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

Michael Brady, Group Manager – Traffic and Road Safety, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
(MAIL ID: 385597)“

“——– Forwarded Message ——–

Xxxxxx, hello,
I phoned a few minutes ago and your colleague was good enough to answer your phone. I told him I would email – here it is.

We have received the information below and GoBike will be submitting a response, but before I do perhaps you can clarify the status of the bus/taxi/cycle only section of Sunnybank Street? This runs, as no doubt you are aware, between Springfield Road and Garvald Street, ie right outside the new school that is currently being built.

One of our members forwarded the screenshot, attached, of the entrance to Sunnybank Street to me and I went out there yesterday afternoon to have a look at the site. I took the attached photo of the south end of this bus/taxi/cycle only section, having followed a supermarket delivery van into this very same section! I was then quite astounded to see other vehicles drive through; at one point there were 4 vehicles, that were neither buses nor taxis, in that short section. Perhaps not surprisingly, one driver, who noticed that I was taking photos, doubled back to tell me that “This hasn’t been a bus lane since 2014”.

If that is the case, it seems strange that about 50% of the vehicles I saw in the 10 minutes or so that I was there, chose to turn left from the southern part of Sunnybank Street into Garvald Street.

Could you please confirm:

1. Is the northern part of Sunnybank Street still restricted to buses, taxis and cycles?
2. If yes, why do a significant number of vehicles ignore the very clear signage (even with the damage to the signage pole shown on the photo)?
3. If yes, why have the drivers of these vehicles not been prosecuted?
4. If yes, why is there no camera at the site?
5. If no, why are the road markings and traffic signs still in place?
6. If no, when was this declassification change made?

I would be grateful for a prompt response so that I may reply to the consultation before the closing date.

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

Thus it took them over a week to reply, but how could anyone with “SAFETY” in their job title allow such a thing to happen, and for so long?
We wonder why there is so much speeding, so much driving into advance cycle boxes, yellow hatched junction boxes, cycle lanes etc etc. Does anyone care except for us?

3.2 Glasgow, Denmark Street, no waiting and loading: GoBike response

The proposal to ban loading and waiting at any time on Denmark Street in Possil was published in Digest 36, Item 1.2. We were told that indiscriminate and obstructive parking was blocking access for lorries to commercial premises and blocking footways, thus inconveniencing pedestrians.
Almost out of time, on the evening of the closing date, 18 June, this email was submitted as the GoBike response:

“Hello,
Many thanks for the opportunity to comment on the proposals below. GoBike is ambivalent about this proposal but we do have the following questions:

1. Have the resources been identified to ensure that the restrictions are complied with? So often we respond to similar consultations and the standard response is that it is the responsibility of Police Scotland, or perhaps in this case, traffic/parking wardens to ensure compliance. Yet we are not aware of any increase in the budget of these bodies to ensure compliance and all around the city we see evidence of non-compliance with parking regulations, speed limits etc.
2. Why hasn’t a more imaginative scheme been developed? This is an area of lower than average car ownership in a city with relatively low car ownership, yet we see no evidence that active travel is being encouraged. Denmark Street is wide, there are amenities along it such as a community centre, yet there is no safe cycle route. The construction of cycle lanes would reduce the space available for the storage of motor vehicles and encourage the local populace to improve their health by becoming more active. The City Council should exploit all available opportunities to improve active travel in this city, rather than having specific cycle schemes.

We look forward to better things.
Yours, for GoBike “

3.3 Glasgow, University Avenue, Traffic Regulation and Parking controls: holding response

You might remember that we submitted a very detailed objection to the proposals to remove part of the Colleges Cycle Route and just have painted cycle lanes on the uphill sections of University Avenue? Here’s a further copy.

We have now received, dated 20 June, this holding response:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND UNIVERSITY PLACE), (TRAFFIC REGULATION AND PARKING CONTROLS) ORDER 201_

I am writing to confirm receipt of your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order. Following the publication period, officers shall commence an analysis of all correspondence received and issue you with a considered response in due course.
Please note that timescales for preparing and distributing a considered response can be influenced by the quantity and nature of correspondence received.

Yours faithfully” etc

Let’s hope they come up with a satisfactory solution!

3.4 East Dunbartonshire: Traffic Regulation Orders – (i) Car Park Charging in Bishopbriggs & Bearsden; and (ii) Westerhill Rd, Bishopbriggs Waiting & Loading Restrictions.

EDC have informed us, 20 June, of 2 Traffic Regulation Orders that have now been approved:

Good morning

The  two  traffic  regulation Orders mentioned below have now been made and
will  become  effective  on Monday, 19 August 2019.  Attached are copies of
the  Orders  and  plans,  together  with  copies of the Notices that are to
appear  in  the editions of the Bishopbriggs Herald that is published on 26
August  and  Milngavie  &  Bearsden  Herald  that is published on 28 August
2019, as appropriate.

Kindest Regards,

Fiona Stirling
Legal Services
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch
G66 1TJ

Telephone 0141 578 8012 (direct dial)

(i) The East Dunbartonshire Council ( Bearsden and Bishopbriggs)
(Off-Street Parking Amendment) Order 2019
(See attached file: 190620 Car park Amendment charging Bearsden &
Bishopbriggs.pdf)

(ii) The East Dunbartonshire Council (Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs) (No
Waiting and No Loading at any Time Restrictions) Order 2019

(See attached file: 190620 Westerhill Rd Waiting & Loading
Restrictions.pdf)

GoBike was not consulted on the car parking charges but did approve the changes to Westerhill Road, where footway/kerbside parking was potentially affecting people both walking and cycling. Details were in Digest24, Item 1.4 and our response was in Digest 26, Item 1.1.

3.5 Glasgow, Hyndland, Hughenden and Dowanhill West: implementation of 20mph

in Digest 27, Item 1.6 we included the details of Glasgow City Council’s proposals to make this area a 20mph zone and we also included our letter of support. We did, though, ask for the default policy of contraflow cycling to be enacted. This appears to be missing from this email, dated 18 June, confirming that 20mph will be introduced:

“MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF ANDY WADDELL, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND SUSTAINABILITY  
Dear Sir/Madam  
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (HYNDLAND, HUGHENDEN AND DOWANHILL WEST) (20mph SPEED LIMIT ZONE) ORDER 2019  
I refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order and can advise that your support was reported and considered. The Council have decided under its scheme of delegated functions to proceed with the proposals as advertised.   The Order was made on 7 June 2019 and an advert was be placed in the Evening Times on 13 June 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.   The earliest date the Order will come into force will be 22 July 2019.  
Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant (name and phone no removed by GoBike).    
Yours sincerely”
etc

So there we have it; one-way streets were introduced to allow car storage, but also allowed cars to be driven faster (with no opposing traffic) and now a 20mph speed limit that probably won’t be enforced is being brought in. Ah well.

So that’s it for this fortnight. The school holidays are almost upon us and response times have been extended to accommodate staff breaks, but your Digest will be back in 2 weeks, with another interesting bundle of news.

Consultation on both the 20mph proposed speed limit and the waiting and loading regulations, which includes the uphill painted cycle lanes, close today so there is just time, if you haven’t done so already, to sign our petition:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cyclinghttps://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cycling

Here are the 2 letters that GoBike has submitted this morning:

20mph proposal which we support, and the waiting and loading proposals to which we object most strongly since they do not make cycling safer.

There’s still time to get your views in, by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk but only do this after you have signed the petition!

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. TODAY, University of Glasgow Campus Development Meeting, 28 May 18:00hrs
2. Glasgow (School Streets, Glasgow) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (Experimental Traffic Regulation) Order 201_. closes TOMORROW, 29 May
3. Glasgow Climate Change Survey, closes 31 May
4. East Dunbartonshire Council, Order – West Chapelton Avenue & Crescent, Bearsden – No Waiting & No Loading Restrictions, closes 03 June
5. Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 20_, closes 07 June
6. Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 Trafffic Regulation Order 20_, Waiting and Loading, closes 07 June
7. Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls, Order 201_, closes 07 June
8. Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, Order 201_ closes 07 June

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, Battlefield, on-line public consultation 04 – 14 June and drop-in event (invitation only!) 06 June

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. Glasgow, Battlefield ongoing design works – update
2. Workplace Parking Levy, outcome of recent consultation
3. Glasgow, City Centre Congestion Improvement response

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for response

1.1 TODAY, University of Glasgow Campus Development Meeting, 28 May 18:00hrs

This was noted in Digest 34, Item 1.2, which you should check for the full details, but here are the essentials:
Venue: Wolfson Medical Building (Yudowitz Seminar Room 1) on University Avenue.
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Tickets: not required, but attendees were asked to register via Eventbrite. Here’s the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campus-development-public-engagement-evening-tickets-61683780849?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

1.2 Glasgow (School Streets, Glasgow) (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) (Experimental Traffic Regulation) Order 201_. closes TOMORROW, 29 May

Digest 34, Item 1.3 gives all the details for the proposed road closures around the time of the school day start and finish times for the 6 schools to be included in the pilot: Bankhead, Broomhill, Hillhead, Lourdes, Our Lady of the Rosary and St Blane’s. If you wish to comment then please email saferparking@glasgow.gov.uk. GoBike’s letter of support is here.
This is a good move by Glasgow City Council to cut down on the so-called “school run”, depriving children of a bit of fresh air and exercise on their journey to and from school. If you have time before tomorrow afternoon, please do write in to add your support – but perhaps send your email to landservices@glasgow.gov.uk since the safer parking email failed when the GoBike letter was sent in!

1.3 Glasgow Climate Change Survey, closes 31 May

Final chance this week to respond to this survey from Glasgow City Council. There’s lots of room for you to put your views in so do please get typing!

1.4 East Dunbartonshire Council, Order – West Chapelton Avenue & Crescent, Bearsden – No Waiting & No Loading Restrictions, closes 03 June.

Details were in Digest 34, Item 1.5 and here are the documents from East Dunbartonshire: Traffic Order and Plans. If you wish to comment then write to: The Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ and you may email your comments in to: Fiona.Stirling@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Here’s GoBike’s letter of support.

1.5 Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 20_, closes 07 June

Laurieston, to the south of the Clyde, is being redeveloped with some very pleasant-looking housing, as we told you in Digest 34, Item 1.6 and Glasgow City Council, in another piecemeal application of 20mph in the city, propose a 20mph speed limit. Oh that they had the resources to enforce it, but we will be supporting the measure. Here’s our qualified letter of support.

1.6 Glasgow, Laurieston Phase 2 Trafffic Regulation Order 20_, Waiting and Loading, closes 07 June

Item 1.7 in Digest 34 gave all the details for this measure, but there are 2 concerns:

1. There appears to be a dire shortage of people who carry out enforcement of road traffic offences in the city, leading to many, many infringements
2. The official language around parking, waiting and stopping is confusing, as you will have seen if you read our recent blog-post “It’s time for ACTION on University Avenue” so it means that people will stop, but perhaps not wait, or park – but it’s still an obstruction for people cycling or trying to cross the road.

According to one guide this road marking means “You may stop to load, unload or for passengers to get in or out of the vehicle providing there are no signs saying so. Double yellow lines mean that there is to be no waiting at any time unless there are signs that specifically specify seasonal restrictions. “
Confusing or what? No wonder so there are so many lawyers advertising to help drivers accused of road traffic offences.

GoBike is supporting the measure but pointing out our concerns in this letter.

1.7 Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls, Order 201_, closes 07 June

Our concern about this proposal was given in both Digest 34, Item 1.8 and in our blog-post “It’s time for ACTION on University Avenue” and we will be submitting our objection prior to the 07 June deadline. If you support what GoBike is doing then please add your voice by emailing Andy Waddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Glasgow City Council at land@glasgow.gov.uk

Do please sign our petition! It’s at: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cycling#signature-form

1.8 Glasgow, University Avenue and University Place, 20mph Speed Limit Zone, Order 201_ closes 07 June

Digest 34, Item 1.9 gave the details of this proposal for another piecemeal 20mph zone in the city and our concerns with this are about both the piecemeal nature of 20mph implementation in the city and enforcement. We will be submitting our letter of grudging support before the closing date, but we do wish drivers would observe traffic regulations – for all our sakes.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, Battlefield, on-line public consultation 04 – 14 June and drop-in event (invitation only!) 06 June

We tell you below, in the next item, that work is progressing on the design for Battlefield.
On Thursday 6 June Sustrans are inviting “local residents, businesses, and groups who use the area along Langside Road, Grange Road, and Queen’s Drive to attend a focus group at Queen’s Park Bowling Club to view design proposals for this space. The proposals incorporate cycle segregation and look at improving pavement widths, bus stop locations, and simplifying junctions. Please find a postcard invitation attached with further details. The event is between 5 pm until 8 pm where you can drop-in and view the proposed designs and leave your feedback. Refreshments will be available too.
The designs will also be available online for the wider public to comment from 4^th to the 14^th June through the Sustrans project website” – https://battlefieldproposals.commonplace.is/.

DO PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EVENT ON THE 6TH IS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS etc ONLY – IF YOU LIVE LOCALLY THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN INVITATION. The on-line consultation is open to all.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 Glasgow, Battlefield ongoing design works – update

The working group, including GoBike member, Eachann, is still meeting to discuss proposals for Battlefield and the southwards continuation of the South City Way. The latest news we have is that Sustrans will now concentrate on Design Option 1, linking Battlefield Rest to the old hospital site, see:
https://battlefieldproposals.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/battlefield-rest-junction-option-1/details
We are told that “Further design work will also take place on Langside Road and Grange road to connect the South City way with Battlefield. An update on this design work and the engagement around this will be provided at the next meeting.” This meeting will take place in the first week of June.

3.2 Workplace Parking Levy

In Digest 34, Item 1.10, John Finnie, MSP’s request to support the Parking Levy was outlined – hopefully some of you added your voice to the consultation, since it’s now closed. The results are out with almost 3 in 5 of us backing the levy, according to this report:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17654796.almost-three-in-five-back-new-parking-tax-in-holyrood-poll/
However, while John Finnie was concerned about Tory opposition, the same newspaper voices SNP opposition too. Aah, the vagaries of politics, but let’s just hope that we do get some of these motor vehicles off our streets.

3.3 Glasgow, City Centre Congestion Improvement response

Back in February, in Digest 28, Item 1.3 we gave details of Glasgow City Council’s proposals for “Congestion Improvement” (a curious term, but never mind) and we have, in this email of 14 May, received the outcome of their consultation:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010 (VARIATION NO.26) (CONGESTION IMPROVEMENT) ORDER 2019

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

The Order was made on 8 May 2019 and an advert was placed in the Evening Times on 13 May 2019 stating that the Traffic Regulation Order has been made.

Please note that the new signage, which will replace the existing signage, may be installed prior to the effective date (Sunday 30 June 2019). However, whilst the new signage would show the existing restrictions applying on a Sunday, enforcement of the new restrictions will not commence until Sunday 30 June 2019 at the earliest.

Should you require any further information on the above named Order please contact my assistant John Telfer on 0141 287 3723.

Yours sincerely” etc

So, who knows, we might get an improved city centre out of this. It’s a step in the right direction, at least.

So, a short issue for you this time but we might be back in business full-time in a fortnight.

However the £1bn campus redevelopment plans have failed to future-proof transport-links around campus. Many staff, students and commuters have been left disappointed by the absence of a safe route for cycling on University Avenue.  Consequently the petition for University Avenue to include such provision has now achieved over 500 signatures (2).

Alvaro Perez Guardiola, a student at the university commented “The poor excuse of a cycle lane on University Avenue is simply unacceptable –  painted on, narrow, used as parking spots in some places… you’d think the Council would want to follow their Climate Emergency Declaration with real action to prioritise active commute!”

Initiatives to get more people on their bikes have long focused on the considerable health benefits. Recently the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) report made specific reference to walking and cycling as a pathway to help ensure the planet remains habitable (3). Yet Glasgow retains one of lowest rates of cycling amongst European cities (4).

John Donnelly Co-Convenor of GoBike,the Strathclyde Cycle Campaign stated “After years spent struggling to secure space for people of all ages and abilities to cycle on Byres Road, we genuinely believed that Glasgow had turned a corner in terms of sustainable transport.”  

“However, you literally turn the corner at Byres Road and we are having to make the same arguments all over again. Research consistently shows that the greatest barrier to cycling in this country is safety. The fact that the University of Glasgow is choosing to ignore this makes a mockery of their climate commitments (5).“

“GoBike is calling for University Avenue to be made safe for cycling so anyone of age and ability who wants to cycle has the opportunity to do so safely.”

[1] https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_646140_en.html

[2] https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/make-university-avenue-safe-for-cycling#signature-form

[3] https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/02/SR15_Chapter4_Low_Res.pdf

[4] https://www.understandingglasgow.com/indicators/transport/cycling/scottish_vs_european_cities

[5] https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=24266&hootPostID=1ba689924443c97e20e491eec1cf6399