Consultation Digest Issue 54, 18 February 2020: An event today for Battlefield, one tomorrow for Yorkhill & Kelvingrove, and yet more on "traffic calm

This is, primarily, the feedback issue, with 16 updates on items that have been covered before. These include 10 consultation submissions: 4 for Traffic Calming (speed cushions proposed for all), 3 for Byres Road, 1 for proposed one-way with no contraflow (but see our final item for what we hope is a change for the better) 1 for Car Club Electric Vehicle Charging Points (the location of which cause some concern, but we include a different approach from North Lanarkshire) and 1 high-level District Regeneration Framework – thanks to all the people who contributed to the letters submitted, but do please read on for the detail and stushies at 2 big football clubs.

Contents

Section 1: Current Consultations

1. **NEW** Scotland’s Low Emission Zones: Consultation on Regulations and Guidance, closes 24 February
2. Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February
3. **NEW-ish** Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, commonplace map for comments closes 09 March
4. **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Dalkeith Avenue, Wellington Road and Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, No Waiting and No Loading at any time, closes 16 March

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

1. Glasgow, additional South City Way event for Battlefield extension, TODAY, 18 February, 4-6pm, Langside Library, Sinclair Drive
2. Glasgow, Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Community Council Cycling Village consultation, TOMORROW, 19 February

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

1. North Lanarkshire Council tell us about the new Scottish Transforming Planning Website
2. Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, submission and acknowledgement
3. Glasgow, Ardencraig Road, Traffic Calming, submission
4. Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive, Traffic Calming, submission
5. Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive, Traffic Calming Submission
6. Glasgow, Mosspark Drive Traffic Calming, submission
7. Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, One-Way with no contraflow, submission
8. Glasgow, South Side Car Club TRO, submission
9. North Lanarkshire, £5 million electric vehicle charging network
10. Glasgow, Byres Road Traffic Management & Parking (for cycle lanes),submission
11. Glasgow, Byres Road 20mph TRO, submission
12. Glasgow, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls TRO, submission
13. East Dunbartonshire, Bearsden Town Centre, Waiting & Loading Restrictions confirmed.
14. Glasgow, Celtic Park & Emirates Arena, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone, Order 20__, Public Hearing 10 March
15. Glasgow, Ibrox Stadium, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone, Order 20__, Public Hearing 11 March
16. Glasgow University Campus Development February update
17. Glasgow, Good News with some Progress on Contraflow Cycling

Section 1: Current Consultations in date order for response

1.1 **NEW** Scotland’s Low Emission Zones: Consultation on Regulations and Guidance, closes 24 February

GoBike member, Steph, has alerted us to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Low Emission Zones. As with the next item on Housing, it’s a bit confusing at first, but do give it a try if you are concerned about all the pollution in our urban centres. There does seem to be a presumption that contravening an LEZ is a bit like a parking infringement, ie an inconvenience, rather than something that is causing ill-health and death, particularly for the disadvantaged in our society. No doubt cycle uptake would increase if our streets were cleaner, too.

1.2 Scottish Government, Housing to 2040: consultation on outline policy options, closes 28 February

This consultation featured as Item 1.12 in Digest 53 and here’s the link again: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-2040-consultation-outline-policy-options/pages/3/

This is the link to the start of your response: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/housing-to-2040/consultation/intro/

I found it all a bit confusing but did manage to mention active travel and my preference for terraced and tenement-style housing linked with good cycleways. Give it a try and let’s get active travel ranked above the private car.

1.3 **NEW-ish** Glasgow, Connecting Woodside, commonplace map for comments closes 09 March

We’ve had lots of news about Woodside but the latest update signals the closure of the commonplace map on 09 March. It’s good to read that 22 dropped kerbs and 80 bike parking stands have been installed in the project area to date, so do have a look and see what else is needed.

1.4 **NEW** East Dunbartonshire, Dalkeith Avenue, Wellington Road and Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, No Waiting and No Loading at any time, closes 16 March

This proposal, to remove on-street parking from a short section of Westerhill Road just off Kirkintilloch Road in Bishopbriggs and the junction areas with Dalkeith Avenue and Wellington Road, arrived by email on 11 February from East Dunbartonshire Council:

“PROPOSED: THE EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL (DALKEITH AVENUE, WELLINGTON ROAD AND WESTERHILL ROAD, BISHOPBRIGGS) ( NO WAITING AND NO LOADING AT ANY TIME RESTRICTIONS) ORDER

The Council is promoting a Traffic Regulation Order which would introduce no waiting and no loading at any time restrictions.
Enclosed is a copy of the draft Order, plan and Statement of Reasons, together with a copy of the Notice that is to appear in the Bishopbriggs Herald which is published on 12 February 2020
Should you wish to comment on the proposal you must do so in writing by Monday, 16 March 2020.
Your comments should be sent to Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Legal Services, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ.
(See attached file: 200211Dalkeith Ave- Wellington Rd – Westerhill Rd Order.pdf)

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

Given the commercial properties in the vicinity and the tendency of people to leave their cars/vans at or near junctions inconveniencing others, particularly people walking or cycling, this proposal seems very sensible. Unless you out there tell us otherwise, this is one that GoBike will be supporting.

Back in June last year, in Digest 37, Item 3.4 were details of an earlier TRO that we had supported, removing on-road parking from further along Westerhill Road, outside commercial units.

Section 2: Forthcoming Consultations

2.1 Glasgow, additional South City Way event for Battlefield extension, TODAY, 18 February, 4-6pm, Langside Library, Sinclair Drive

As per our Consultation Extra of 07 February, there is a further consultation event this afternoon for the Queen’s Drive residents who missed all the earlier publicity and meetings. It’s open to all, takes place TODAY, 18 February at Langside Library on Sinclair Drive. Do get along if you can.

2.2 Glasgow, Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Community Council Cycling Village consultation, TOMORROW, 19 February

Do get along to the cycle village consultation on Wed 19 Feb at the Kelvingrove tennis pavilion 5-7.30pm. Get along and have your say, if you live, work, play or cycle in the area.

Section 3: Consultation Feedback

3.1 North Lanarkshire Council tell us about the new Scottish Transforming Planning Website

3.2 Glasgow, Central District Regeneration Framework, submission and acknowledgement

Here’s the response, submitted on 06 February, written by GoBike committee member, Brenda, to this consultation, featured in previous Digests, most recently, Digest 53, Item 1.6. In a nutshell, the framework is good but needs sharpening up if we are to transform our city centre.

Here’s the acknowledgement, received later that day:

“Hi Tricia,
Thanks very much for your email and the attached documents. I will include this representation within the wider responses received as part of the Central DRF public consultation exercise.
Please let me know if you require anything further.
Best regards,” etc

3.3 Glasgow, Ardencraig Road, Traffic Calming, submission

This consultation, which was introduced in Digest 52, Item 1.5, closed on 11 February. The proposal, to slow motor traffic down on this straight road past houses and schools, was by using the City Council’s only solution, the installation of speed cushions. We think much more could be done – here’s our letter in response to the proposals.

3.4 Glasgow, Bankfoot Road and Wedderlea Drive, Traffic Calming, submission

The consultation to install traffic calming speed cushions in these two roads was Item 1.6 in Digest 52. GoBike fully supports lower traffic speeds but objects to the standard policy of installing speed cushions in every location. Here’s our response to the consultation.

3.5 Glasgow, Castlemilk Drive, Traffic Calming Submission

Castlemilk Drive forms part of the route from the city centre, past King’s Park and Croftfoot railway stations to the Cathkin Braes Country Park and Mountain Bike Centre. The proposal to install speed cushions to reduce motor traffic speeds in this residential area featured in Digest 52, Item 1.7. A half-hearted attempt was made prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games to provide a cycle route from the city to the Braes, but a significant part was on the footways etc; it certainly wasn’t a route that children could use. Glasgow has relatively low car ownership and Castlemilk is one of its less affluent suburbs, yet the road is to be maintained as one for cars. Here’s our letter objecting to the standard policy of speed cushions and looking for something more appropriate.

3.6 Glasgow, Mosspark Drive Traffic Calming, submission

The traffic calming proposal for Mosspark Drive featured as Item 1.5 in Digest 53. The standard speed cushion proposal takes no account of the possibilities of blocking through motor traffic, of installing zebra crossings to allow people to cross safely to the park area or to tightening the radius of the turn from Mosspark Boulevard to 90 degrees. Here’s our letter of response.

3.7 Glasgow, Carmunnock Road Service Road, One-Way with no contraflow, submission

The details of this consultation were first given in Digest 52, Item 1.10 but we had previously been invited to comment at Stage One. Our response at that Stage went in on 10 January and we have received no response to the concerns we expressed. In a nutshell, the City Council responded to residents’ concerns about “traffic” on the road by proposing that it be made one-way. There was no mention, as far as we can see, about cycles; are they included in the one-way or not? Are people cycling going to be pushed to use the main road, or not? Here’s the reply we sent in on 10 February, very similar to our response at Stage One.

3.8 Glasgow, South Side Car Club TRO, submission

Details of this TRO were first given in Digest 52, Item 1.9. With the assistance of GoBike member, Brenda, we had responded to the Stage One consultation with this letter, to which we received a fairly general response. We have sharpened up our concerns to objections in this response. The objections are to: charging points/car club spaces on arterial routes such as Paisley Road West, where there should be a cycle lane, on streets with shops at ground floor level and where long-term parking is inappropriate.

Soon after submission, on 12 February, we received this detailed email in response:

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

Dear Ms Fort

THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL, (SOUTH SIDE CAR CLUB), ORDER 202_

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the above named Traffic Regulation Order on behalf of Go Bike.
In answer to the points Go Bike have raised:

• The electric charging bays will be free for use only while the vehicle is charging. It is intended to replace current internal combustion engine car club with electric in future and the standard electric charging bays will be converted to car club only as the fleet is updated.
• There is low take up of electric cars at present and as you state this will change in future and it is the Council’s intention to encourage electric use for the environmental benefits. The Council is committed to expanding and encouraging sustainable transport but a balance is required to promote development in line with our policies and aspirations and further details are available at link to EV strategy development info.
• The Council’s intention is for all car club vehicles to be electric in future and the order as presented allows for this growth while providing improved charging facilities for existing electric vehicles.
• Car Club bays on arterial routes have been located to provide suitable locations which can be easily located and accessed for users. Cycle infrastructure is being developed on major routes and the existing infrastructure will be considered and developed when each route is designed. Each route is likely to require a Traffic Regulation Order to implement and the car club and electric charging will be considered an amended as appropriate at this time.
• The Council are providing car club and electric charging to help address the environmental issues facing us. The future of mass charging and faster charging will be considered as development and policies change.
• The locations close to shops will provide potential charging for delivery vehicles and each site has significant residential premises which are an ideal target to encourage residents to change private cars for car club vehicles.
• If space permits consideration will be given to perpendicular parking, the sites currently promoted are not suitable for this measure.

It is unclear from your response if you are supporting or objecting to this order, I will classify it as an objection unless otherwise advised.

Having considered the above, should you wish to withdraw your objection I would be pleased if you would inform me by 6^th March by writing to Group Manager, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX or e-mailing SustainableTransport@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“

A telephone conversation with the writer of the above email has clarified that Paisley Road West is not yet listed as a candidate for cycle lanes, which is disappointing, but as per the email above, the City Council’s policy on electric cars and charging is clearer. Our comments and objection to parts of the proposals is seen as an objection to the TRO.

3.9 North Lanarkshire, £5 million electric vehicle charging network

The approach from North Lanarkshire seems to be quite different from that of Glasgow. We haven’t been told about any consultation yet, but here’s an email alert issued on 13 February:

“Our Environment and Transportation Committee has backed a project which could see up to £5m investment in Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and electricity network infrastructure across Lanarkshire.

The public use hubs will be created in car parks owned and operated by both North and South Lanarkshire Councils, in a bid to meet ambitious plans by the Scottish Government to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.

Members of the committee were told that preparatory work with Transport Scotland and SP Energy Networks is underway, as part of Project PACE, which aims to determine optimum EV charge point locations and the electricity network infrastructure required to support them.

Locations being considered align with areas of potential demand, taking into account existing electricity infrastructure location and capacity, available land and the need to provide public access.

Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee, welcomed the decision to support the project, saying: “This is an innovative, ambitious plan for Lanarkshire that will see a real increase in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the ChargePlace Scotland network in North Lanarkshire, by the end of this year.

“The Scottish Government targets aim to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032, and these plans are designed to pave the way for that to become a reality. The new network will contribute to reducing air pollution and providing access to clean energy for our residents, and the project fits with this council’s ambition to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”

The Strategic Partnership between the Scottish Government, including Transport Scotland, SP Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks was announced by the First Minister on 29 August 2019.

Since the launch of the partnership, SP Energy Networks and Transport Scotland have established Project PACE with North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, as beneficiaries to trial opportunities to improve the delivery and co-ordination of investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

It’s looking like on-street (and, of more concern, with the actual charging points being on footways) in Glasgow and in public car parks in North and South Lanarkshire.

3.10 Glasgow, Byres Road Traffic Management & Parking (for cycle lanes),submission

We have now responded to Glasgow City Council’s proposals for changes on Byres Road to allow construction of a cycle lane on each side with this letter, written by GoBike members Iona and Thomas. Detailed design details for the cycle lanes were not part of the TRO but you will see that we have concerns about the continuity and thus priority, of the cycling, and walking, routes at side road junctions. It is critical that ALL traffic on Byres Road has priority over traffic entering, or leaving, a side road.

Full details of the TRO were given in Digest 52, Item 1.11

3.11 Glasgow, Byres Road 20mph TRO, submission

Here’s part of the Byres Road proposals that we fully support! Again, full details of the proposed reduction in speed limit to 20mph were given in Digest 52, Item 1.12 and here’s our letter of support, written by GoBike members Thomas and Iona.

3.12 Glasgow, Hillhead Traffic Management and Parking Controls TRO, submission

We have submitted this letter, again written by Iona and Thomas, in general support of moving parked vehicles from Byres Road into vacant spaces in the surrounding streets, but we do have 2 concerns:

1. Why are parking charges so low in Glasgow? Why is it cheaper to park a car on a street for an hour than it is to get a return ticket for the bus or subway?
2. Why should households be given the option of storing not one, but two, private cars on the public street?

Full details of the proposals were given in Digest 52, Item 1.13

3.13 East Dunbartonshire, Bearsden Town Centre, Waiting & Loading Restrictions confirmed.

Here’s the email confirming this order that we received on 10 February.

“The above-mentioned Traffic Regulation Orders has now been made and will become effective on Monday, 13 April 2020. Enclosed are copies of the Order and plan, together with copy of the Notice that is to appear in the edition of the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald which is published on 14 February 2020.”

Here are the details that were enclosed with the email. GoBike supported this proposal and details were given in Digest

3.14 Glasgow, Celtic Park & Emirates Arena, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone, Order 20__, Public Hearing 10 March

In 2018 consultation was issued on Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking, which GoBike supported with this letter. We last reported on this in Digest 25 in January 2019 after we were told there was to be a hearing. It seemed clear then that supporters had been mobilised to object to the proposals, although there are valid concerns about the lack or inadequacy of public transport to the football stadium and the arena and parking moving to areas further away from the stadium.
On 07 February, we received this extremely long email from the City Council:

“THE GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL (CELTIC PARK AND EMIRATES ARENA) (EVENT DAY EMERGENCY ROUTES AND PARKING ZONE) ORDER 20__

PUBLIC HEARING

We refer to the above proposed order, the representation you have made about the proposed order, and the letter dated 20 December 2018 which was sent to you from the Director of Operations, Neighbourhoods and Sustainability in this regard.

Glasgow City Council has now appointed Ms Sinéad Lynch and Mr Lance R Guilford, reporters from the Scottish Government, to conduct a public hearing and submit a report to the council. The council has also established a dedicated Programme Officer Team to assist with the organisation of the hearing.

Participation in the hearing

The reporters have decided that since it is now over a year since the above letter was sent to you, we should write again in order to confirm those who wish to participate in the hearing. We are providing more information to help you decide.

If you decide not to participate in the hearing, your representation will be considered on the basis of your original written submission, although you may submit a further written submission in support of your representation within the next 28 days if you wish to do so. It is also important to note that all representations proceeding by written submission will have the same weight as those examined at the hearing.

Therefore, whether or not you responded to the above letter, please advise us within the next 14 days if you wish to participate in the hearing.

Pre-hearing meeting

Given the complex nature of this order and the significant number of representations that have been made, the reporters have decided that a pre-hearing meeting for hearing participants is necessary. This meeting will be held in public and will discuss the procedures relating to the hearing. However, there will be no discussion about the merits or otherwise of the order at this meeting.

The meeting will take place as follows:

7pm on Tuesday 10^th March 2020 in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Exhibition Hall), 19 Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NX

The reporters hope that most hearing participants will attend the pre-hearing meeting, in order to ensure as far as possible that the arrangements for the hearing take everyone’s interest into account.

We enclose an agenda, together with an explanatory note which provides detailed information about the matters to be discussed. Please read this information to help you prepare for the meeting.

However, the reporters recognise that some people may have prior engagements or other reasons why they cannot attend the pre-hearing meeting, and being unable to attend the pre-hearing meeting does not preclude participation in the hearing. It is suggested that people who cannot attend the meeting may wish to contact another person (or organisation) who will be attending in order to represent their interests. There is more on this contained in the explanatory note attached to the agenda.

In any event, anyone who cannot attend the meeting may comment on the matters contained in theagenda before the date of the pre-hearing meeting. Furthermore, a note of matters agreed at the pre-hearing meeting will be uploaded to the website after the meeting, and comments on what is contained in the note of matters may be made within 14 days of that note being uploaded to the web. All such comments will be taken into account in making the arrangements for the hearing. Please advise us within the next 14 days if you wish to attend the pre-hearing meeting in addition to participating in the hearing. Please also inform us if you intend to be represented (providing the details of any such representation) and advise whether any special access or other arrangements are required to enable attendance at the meeting.if you wish to attend the pre-hearing meeting in addition to participating in the hearing. Please also inform us if you intend to be represented (providing the details of any such representation) and advise whether any special access or other arrangements are required to enable attendance at the meeting.

Owing to the limited capacity within the venue (200 places) an entrance ticket will be provided to those who have made representations about the order and wish to attend the pre-hearing meeting.

You can register for a ticket using the following link:-https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celtic-park-and-emirates-arena-traffic-regulation-order-pre-hearing-meeting-tickets-90947196513Tickets will be available to download from 4pm On Friday 7^th February 2020

In the event that there is any difficulty relating to the capacity of the venue and the number of people who wish to attend, you will be advised of any action being taken before the date of the meeting.

All representations will be in the public domain

Please note that your representation, if maintained, will not be treated as confidential, and that it will be published unless you provide details of exceptional circumstances as to why you consider that the substance of your representation should not be in the public domain. Exceptional circumstances might apply where publication of the substance of the representation might be considered to breach the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) because it cannot be sufficiently separated from identifying personal information which should not be in the public domain.

Alternatively, there might be sensitive information (for example on mental or physical health), the publication of which might be considered to breach the right to privacy under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In either case you would be advised whether or not such details are sufficient to justify the further redaction of certain information or non-publication of the representation.

However, please note that as a matter of course under GDPR all identifying personal information will be redacted from the representations before they are placed in the public domain. This will include all names, postal addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, job descriptions and details of business premises.

If we have not heard from you within the next 14 days on this matter, we will assume that you are content that your representation should be in the public domain.

Following this period, the maintained representations (unless excepted under the terms stated above) and related documents will be published on the council’s website. There will also be a brief summary of the matters raised in the representations, and an associated schedule which separates them into basic categories including the type and whether it is an objection or letter of support. This may assist you in preparing for the meeting, particularly with respect to the possible grouping of parties with a similar interest, and which is referred to in more detail in the explanatory note attached to the agenda.

Webcasting

We would advise that the pre-hearing meeting will be recorded and webcast, and therefore in the event that you are unable to attend the meeting, the proceedings may be observed (after the meeting) online at:

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/20480/Celtic-ParkEmirates-Arena

Webcasting is part of a strategy to enhance public access to this process, and will make it easier for individuals to keep up to date with proceedings.

If you require any further information, please contact the programme officer team at the below telephone number or email address.

Yours faithfully,
Programme Officer Team
Email:  TROCelticParkandEmiratesArena@glasgow.gov.uk
Phone: 0141 287 5820 (Please note this phone line is a messaging service only“

Thus there is a massive expense because people wish to leave their cars near the ground on match days, because other people do not want these cars to move to outside their house, because the second loop of the Subway, mooted in 2007, has never been built and we have not yet got the political and social climate in which people will cycle or walk to such events.

GoBike will not be attending the hearing, although we understand our sister group, Get Glasgow Moving, will be there to push the public transport case, but we will confirm our support for the parking restrictions.

3.15 Glasgow, Ibrox Stadium, Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking Zone, Order 20__, Public Hearing 11 March

On the same day, 07 February and just a few minutes later a very similar, almost identical email arrived for Event Day Emergency Routes and Parking around Ibrox Stadium. Although there is a Subway station near the stadium, there are concerns here about the lack of public transport and private car parking being moved further away from the stadium. That said, there is no doubt the football club has mobilised its supporters to object. Here’s the letter of support for the proposals that GoBike submitted in May 2018.

Apologies to anyone who hoped to see the Rangers email in full here, but if you do wish to have a copy either contact the club or email consultations@gobike.org and a copy will be sent to you. The hearing is the day after the Celtic hearing and the details are the same.

GoBike won’t be attending either this or the Parkhead hearing but will confirm our support for parking restrictions on the grounds that all on-street car parking reduces the road space available for cycling and makes it more difficult for people walking to cross the road.

3.16 Glasgow University Campus Development February update

Multiplex, who are carrying out the construction work at Glasgow University, have provided us with details of their website and the link to their February Newsletter

3.17 Glasgow, Good News with some Progress on Contraflow Cycling

For our final item we have some good news. We have objected time and time again to Glasgow City Council’s policy of reducing the city’s residential streets from 2-way to 1-way to allow for more residential parking, with no exemption for cycling. The City Council’s design guide, Cycling by Design, quotes, at Section 5.1.5, page “The default position should be to permit two-way cycling on one-way streets.” The Council’s policy of ignoring, or finding an excuse not to apply, this default has caused great inconvenience to people trying to cycle in Dowanhill, Partick and elsewhere, as well as seeming contrary to everything the City Council says in terms of active travel, reducing car use etc. When Ali, Brenda and Tricia met with City Council staff on 12 December, this issue was raised and on 10 February this email arrived:

“I can advise that, following the meeting you attended in December, I have taken a look at the literature you referenced and linked on the GoBike webpage.   I have now drafted a specific appendix (attached) to be added to the Council’s procedures and guidance when promoting Traffic Regulation Orders and Traffic Calming Schemes. This ensures officers take specific consideration of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport provision. This should be distributed to all officers by the end of the month.   In regards to contra-flow cycling specifically, I agree that this should be considered where it can be done safely. I understand that within the Sustrans Design Manual Handbook for cycle-friendly design it states that 3.3m can accommodate contra-flow cycling, however it is our intention that a minimum free road width should be 3.5m before any consideration can take place (this is consistent with Edinburgh’s Street Design Guidance).   In addition to the above, each situation should be assessed on its own merits and further consideration will be given where vehicles are parked on both sides of the road for short and long lengths, taking into account the gradient of the road and ensuring there is a consistency when proposing changes over a wider area.   I trust this has provided further clarification on the Council’s position and can assure you that the current parking control scheme proposals are being revised to investigate what addition measures can be included to assist cyclists.”

This has yet to be tested but we are told that we will see a difference in approach in forthcoming schemes. Let’s hope so!

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That was a mixed bag – let’s see what the post brings in over the next 2 weeks.

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