Consultation Digest Issue 43, 17 September 2019: Even more traffic calming proposed and East Dunbartonshire aim to take the lead in banning school dro

We are quite definitely in the traffic calming season, but we also have news of the current Pollok Park consultation and the good news that Scotland’s Active Nation Commissioner has expressed support for our opposition to plans for University Avenue – but in news just in, Glasgow City Council maintain their view that there is no space for cycle lanes! Do read on for even more:

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.