Winter Maintenance Update

After the extremely dangerous conditions of the cycle paths last winter, we called for action from Glasgow City Council for a drastic reprioritisation of the winter maintenance policy.  We requested a policy that more fairly reflects the right for all people to get around, not just those who have access to a car.

We are gladdened that the Council not only listened, but have acted upon this, with the announcement of the purchase of a vehicle which will de-ice segregated cycle paths with a salt solution.

At the beginning of the year we requested a policy that more fairly reflects the right for all people to get around, not just those who have access to a car.  It seemed unfair to encourage people to move from their car to walking or cycling, then abandon them as soon as the ice comes to town.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, has said that  it is a key objective to ensure the bike remains as a travel option, even during the depths of winter.  To help achieve this, GoBike were invited, by Glasgow City Council, to a small working group, including Sustrans, to look at the winter maintenance program and how things could be improved.

This included discussing the  new vehicle and use of a brine solution to clear the segregate cycle paths of the City Ways.  GoBike also ensured that National Cycle Route 75, a key commuter route, would also be gritted,  at the same time as the new cycle paths, recive the de-icing solution.  This is a significant improvement on previous winters.

There will always be more paths and routes that could be gritted and de-iced, however this is a positive step in the right direction.  We will continue to feedback to Glasgow City Council and Cllr Richardson directly, to highlight any additional areas that should be included in the winter maintenance plan for next year.