A81 Bears Way: the consultation is a bit stormy but do get there tonight if you can.
We publish below an e-mail from East Dunbartonshire councillor, Manjinder Singh. If you haven’t been involved already please do try to get to tonight’s public event or the information session this afternoon. Failing that, do write to the Council to voice support. We need routes like this, please give your support.
From: <Manjinder.Shergill@eastdunbarton.gov.uk>
Date: 6 Sep 2016 17:56
Subject: Public have a say on phase two of Bears Way
To:
Cc:
Hundreds of people attended a public forum on phase two of the A81 Bears Way project last Thursday.
It was standing-room only in Milngavie Town Hall with around 250 people hearing more about the potential future of the cycleway – which offers protected space for people of all ages to cycle in safety and comfort.
After a delay to the start of the meeting due to the numbers attending, a presentation lasting around half an hour was delivered.
Members of the audience were then offered an opportunity to ask questions and give their views directly to the project team – including representatives of the Council and Sustrans – for around an hour and a half.
Earlier on Thursday there had been a well-attended drop-in information event in the Allander Leisure Centre.
A second public forum is being held on Wednesday 7 September, 7pm-9pm, in Milngavie Town Hall.
Meanwhile, further drop-in sessions will be held in Allander Leisure Centre on Saturday 3 September, 11am-3pm, and Wednesday 7 September, noon – 2pm.
Please note these are informal sessions and a chance for the public to access information ahead of the public forum.
There was a fantastic turn-out at the first public forum on phase two of the Bears Way and I want to thank everyone who took the time to listen, ask questions and make their views known.It was, however, disappointing to hear of the lack of courtesy extended to Council employees and partners by a small number of the audience. Such behaviours are not acceptable in any forum. It’s important that all points of view are taken into account and respected, and that everyone has the opportunity to make a contribution, supportive or not. There was a range of views expressed on the night – from people in favour of the cycleway and significant investment in the area to those with concerns about phase one and ways in which they would wish to see it improved – through to others who expressed in-principle disagreement with the model of a dedicated separate cycle way.
Phase 1 of the Bears Way – funded by delivery partners Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Sustrans – runs from Burnbrae roundabout to Hillfoot.
If you have any ideas, comments or want to join the mailing list please e-mail cycling@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. For more information visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/
· Phase 1 of the Bears Way was recently recognised for ‘Achievements in Cycling’ at the Scottish Transport Awards.
· The Council’s Local Transport Strategy and Active Travel Strategy set out a range of actions aimed at encouraging cycling in East Dunbartonshire. Work supports the national vision of getting 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020.
Regards
Councillor Manjinder Shergill
Vice Convenor of Education
East Dunbartonshire Council
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch
GLASGOW
G66 1TJ
Tel: 0141 578 8163
e-mail: manjinder.shergill@
