Consultation Digest Issue 36, 12 June 2019, exciting proposals for Pollokshields, preparation for separated cycle lane on Garscube Road and less exciting matters.

This is a Glasgow issue, with on-line consultation for Battlefield open, grassroots proposals for Pollokshields, Woodside extension to Garscube Road and yet more speed humps - this time in Dalmarnock - but do please read on for even more.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. Battlefield design proposals, on-line consultation, closes 14 June
2. Denmark Street, Possil, no waiting and loading at any time, closes 18 June
3. Sunnybank Street, Dalmarnock, traffic calming, closes 20 June
4. Garscube Road, parking and loading restrictions to allow construction of 2-way cycle lanes, closes 12 July
5. Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing, closes 29 July

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Safer Streets Pollokshields, Drop-in event Monday 17 June
2. St Enoch area consultation expected to be out on Friday 14 June

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. University Avenue consultations, GoBike responses and feedback on Campus Development meeting held 28 May
2. Laurieston 20mph proposal, Glasgow City Council response to our support for the proposal.
3. (City Centre)(Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No24)(Bus Priority) Order 2019

Section 1: Current Consultations, in date order for responses

1.1 Battlefield design proposals, on-line consultation, closes 14 June

There's plenty of room on Grange Road, above, and Langside Road to connect the South City Way to Battlefield so please do respond to Sustrans' request for comments on the proposals on-line

Here's the message that we received from Emily Gait of Sustrans on 04 June:

"Thank  you to everyone who has got involved in the Battlefield Street Design  project so far. I’m emailing to let you know we have design ideas for  the next area of the project which are open today for public feedback.
During  March we asked for your comments on the design proposals for  Battlefield Rest, Battlefield Road, Mount Florida, Queen’s Drive and the  Monument.  The feedback and comments from this public consultation will help  develop and refine the concept design which will be presented again next  month at our next public event where we’ll be outlining the next steps  for the project.
Design proposals open for the northern project area
In  the meantime we have been focusing on the northern project area and  specifically the connection between Battlefield and the city centre.  Following  on from the feedback and comments we’ve received from the public so far  we have created design ideas along Grange Road and Langside Road which  include cycle segregation and look at improving pavement widths, bus  stop locations and simplifying junctions.
Leave your feedback online
From today until 14^th June the designs are available online for public feedback and comments. Follow this link to view the designs -

https://battlefieldproposals.commonplace.is/overview and please share this with anyone else you think maybe interested.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all.
Best regards,
Emily
Emily Gait
Community Engagement Officer | Street Design
Sustrans Scotland | Rosebery House | 9 Haymarket Terrace | Edinburgh | EH12 5EZ
07766 577774 | emily.gait@sustrans.org.uk"

1.2 Denmark Street, Possil, no waiting and loading at any time, closes 18 June

Denmark Street in Possil does not seem to be a cycle route but why not? Cycling is a cheap form of transport and would be just the thing to get people to the community centre on the right of the photo. Apparently, though, there is obstructive parking that puts pedestrians in danger, so Glasgow City Council propose to bring in "No waiting and no loading/unloading at any time" restrictions. Two questions come to mind:

1. Will they be enforced? We don't see much sign of enforcement elsewhere.
2. Why aren't cycle lanes being constructed?

Here's the email that GoBike received on 28 May:

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

Dear Sir / Madam,
THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (DENMARK STREET), (TRAFFIC REGULATION) ORDER 201_
The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro .  
As stated in the attached documentation, any  person wishing to object to the proposed Order should send details of  the grounds for objection in writing to Andy Waddell, Director of  Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, Exchange House, 231  George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by e-mail to land@glasgow.gov.uk  by Tuesday 18 June 2019.
Yours faithfully "
etc.

These are the documents referred to: Press Notice, Plan, Statement of Reason and Report.

This is one that GoBike will be supporting but we will point out the shortsightedness of the proposals.

1.3 Sunnybank Street, Dalmarnock, traffic calming, closes 20 June

Here's a street that has a roadway and a footway, but where's the cycleway? Not far from NCN75 and Cuningar Loop and the new housing development built for the Commonwealth Games in Dalmarnock has no cycling provision. Can you believe it? Course you can, it's Glasgow. Never too late, though and there is plenty of room to get cycle lanes in before there is any more development - or is there?

Here's the email that we got on 31 May from the City Council, proposing traffic calming - yes, more speed cushions:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (Sunnybank Street) 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, especially around the area of the new primary school.

Roads affected by the proposed Scheme. The list of roads affected by these proposals are:-
·        Sunnybank Street

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

• 5 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 Jordan Tracey on 0141 287 9173.
Should the Council proceed with these proposals; I will write to you again and confirm this.
Yours faithfully"
etc

So how counter-intuitive is that? A new development, a new primary school and no provision for active travel! We have just responded to consultation on road closures around 6 primary schools in other parts of the city and here's a new school with planning measures now being taken to restrain those parents who choose to take their children by car.
The new school is being built on the east side of Sunnybank Street between  Springfield Road and Auckland Wynd.

Here are the documents provided by the City Council: Plan and Spec.

GoBike will be opposing this measure and suggesting that measures be taken to restrict car use and to definitely construct good cycle facilities.

That was written before Rachel submitted this screenshot of the entrance to Sunnybank Street from Springfield Road:

So what is happening here? This view clearly shows that only buses, taxis and cycles are allowed into the northern part of Sunnybank Street!

This picture taken at approximately 16:45 on 12 June, shows the south end of the bus gate - shame about the road sign - that runs between Garvald Street and Springfield Road. While your Digest author was at the site numerous vehicle drivers ignored the signage - at one point 4 vehicles, 2 in each direction were on this short length of road, while others obeyed the signage. One driver turned back to inform your author, who was taking photos with a mobile phone, that this hasn't been a bus lane since 2014! How kind, but how curious.

Prior to submission of the GoBike response, a check on the status of this signage will be made with Glasgow City Council, but either way, if 50% or so of vehicles ignore the signage, what is the point of it? If it is no longer valid it should be removed; if it is still valid it should be enforced.

If you live in the area, or have an interest, do please get in touch with the local councillors, or write into

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

We now have a proposal for a two-way cycle lane on the east side of Garscube Road (to the right on the photo above) from Firhill Road to Dobbies Loan. Here's the email that GoBike received on 31 May:

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

Dear Sir / Madam

The Glasgow City Council (Garscube Road) (Traffic Regulation and Parking Controls)  Order 201_

The Council propose to consider the introduction of the above named Traffic Regulation Order.
Please find enclosed a copy of the press notice of the proposed Order, relevant map, statement of reasons and detailed report.
Details of the proposals will also be available on the Glasgow City Council website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/proposedtro.

As  stated in the attached documentation, any person wishing to object to  the proposed Order should send details of the ground for their objection  in writing to Group Manager, Sustainable Transport, Exchange House, 231  George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or by email to land@glasgow.gov.uk by Friday, 12 July 2019.
Yours faithfully"

Here are the documents referred to in the email: Press Notice, Relevant Map 1of 2, Relevant Map 2 of 2, Statement of Reasons and Detailed Report.

This is one that we will be supporting, although we do wish there would be a one-directional cycle lane each side. We will, though, be looking carefully at the plans to ensure they don't repeat any concerns from elsewhere.

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

This is one that we heard about from a Community Council contact but you might be interested in the Future Policy Development of the vehicles you so often share an Advanced Cycle Box with?

Here's the message that we received on 11 June:

"Message and attachment sent on behalf of Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee:
Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee
Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing

Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee‘s consultation on the future policy development of taxi and private hire car licensing in Glasgow is now live. The Licensing and Regulatory Committee would be interested to hear views. The consultation document can be viewed using the link below:  
Consultation link to the Future Policy Development of Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing:  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/consultations

Please note that the consultation will close on Monday 29 July 2019 so all responses must be received by this date."

This is the document that was attached to the message. GoBike has not yet determined its view on this but please do contact us if you consider there are critical points to raise.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Safer Streets Pollokshields, Drop-in event Monday 17 June

Bill Fraser, GoBike member, Pollokshields Community Councillor and chair of the Pollokshields Trust tells us that the local community has:
" funding approval from Sustrans for this project. We also have the necessary endorsement from GCC.
The  attached proposal lists the objectives of the programme although this  phase is principally a data gathering and opinion gathering exercise:

- Reduce dangerous driving behaviour within the area
- Facilitating safer walking and cycling
- Provide safer crossing points for pedestrians
- Create culture where active travel is given priority over car travel

We would appreciate Go Bike input based on your campaigning elsewhere:

The  point of this research is to ensure it is holistic, remains  community-led and contributes to the emerging Pollokshields Local Plan  whose development has been funded by Making Places plus a live plan for  Asset Transfer of a major piece of land as a Community Common. You can  read about our progress so far on www.markmakers.org.uk  . Subject to more funding scheduled for Summer 2019 we will complete  this site’s refurbishment as an active community space by 2020-21.

Look forward to your input.
Best wishes
Bill Fraser
Chair, The Pollokshields Trust
A charity registered in Scotland (no.SC047413)"

2.2 St Enoch area consultation expected to be out on Friday 14 June

According to the Evening Times on 11 June, we can expect proposals for the regeneration of the St Enoch Area from the riverside to Argyle Street to be available from Friday!

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 University Avenue consultations, GoBike responses and details of Campus Development meeting held 28 May

In our Consultation Extra last Friday, 07 June, we published the 2 letters we have written in response to the 2 consultations for University Avenue.
This is the letter we sent in support of the proposal for 20mph and this is the objection we submitted to the proposal for waiting and loading restrictions and painted uphill cycle lanes.

Euan was one of the GoBike attendees at the Campus Development meeting held by Glasgow University on 28 May and has sent this short summary: " It would appear the new campus will be accessible to cycles but unlikely  to form a primary route. Their position on University Avenue remains  unchanged: primarily for passing private motor traffic. "
Here are some images from the presentation given by the University:

3.2 Laurieston Phase 2 20mph Speed Limit Order 201_

We submitted our qualified letter of support for this proposal on 28 June. The closing date for the consultation was 07 June but already on 31 May we received this reply from Glasgow City Council:

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

Dear Miss Fort,

Thank you for your undernoted email and your support for the proposed 20mph zone as part of the Laurieston Phase  2 development.
With  regard to your comment about introducing a mandatory 20mph zone  throughout the city, I can advise that there  is currently a bill being considered by the Scottish Parliament to  reduce the speed limit on restricted roads from 30mph to 20mph.  Restricted roads are normally street-lit urban or residential streets,  although there are some exemptions to this. If this bill  is passed into law, it would then set then a default mandatory speed  limit of 20mph on restricted roads. Under current legislation, Local  Authorities do have the ability to change the speed limit of roads to  20mph, however this has to be carried out on a road  by road basis and as you can imagine is resource intensive.
I can advise that the enforcement of the permitted speed limit on a public road, be it 20mph or otherwise, is the  responsibility of Police Scotland, not the local authority.

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

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

Just notice that very traditional salutation! That apart, it will be interesting to see Glasgow City Council's reaction to the outcome of the 20mph default urban speed limit bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

3.3 (City Centre)(Traffic Management) Order 2010 (Variation No24)(Bus Priority) Order 2019

Back in November last year, in Digest 22, in Item 1.5, we detailed consultation on Oswald Street (north of Midland Street) and Union Street plus parking changes that impinge on the contraflow cycle lane on West Nile Street. Here's the letter of qualified support that we submitted.

We have now, 11 June, received this reply:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (CITY CENTRE)(TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT) ORDER 2010, (VARIATION No24)(BUS PRIORITY) ORDER 2019

I  refer to your support of the above named Traffic Regulation Order on  behalf of Go Bike 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 the 3rd June 2019 and an advert was placed in the  Evening Times on 6th June 2019 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 contact phone number removed by GoBike).

Yours sincerely"
etc

So no improvements to the original proposals to actively encourage cycling but at least there should be fewer cars for those of us who do cycle in the vicinity of Central Station.

That's it for now, but let's hope that Mark Ruskell's bill for a default 20mph limit is successful this week.