THE next stage of the make-over for George Square has been revealed by council officials as work to create more people-friendly streets across Glasgow continues.
A report has been published giving an update on the measures being undertaken as part of the Spaces for People funding programme, to enable physical distancing during the pandemic.
These include footway widening; automation of traffic lights to reduce waiting time at pedestrian crossing points; boarding areas built out into the road at busier bus stops, and infrastructure to encourage cycling.
Officials state that the anticpated need for alterations to be in place for a significant period of time has led to a commitment to install “more robust and aesthetically-pleasing measures” in high-profile areas to improve the look and feel of the city centre and make it a more attractive place to walk/shop.
The document continues: “Ambitious plans to re-allocate road space in George Square, the city’s primary civic space, to walking, wheeling and cycling, were drawn up and have been implemented using water filled barriers.
“These measures will soon be replaced by ‘softer’ planters, seats and other street furniture. Large-scale hostile vehicle mitigation-rated planters and trees will be used to green the space as well as restrict vehicle movement and protect pedestrians.”
Officials add: “Two of three contracts have been awarded and are due to be completed before the end of March subject to shipping of the specialist materials for the planting.
“A third contract is being let to complete complementary work in St Vincent Place and Queen Street and these works should be complete by 15 May.
“Similar measures are proposed for Merchant City — materials have been procured and will be installed after review of the final positions in consultation with local businesses.”
The report adds: “The first of a number of planned ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods'(LTN) has been installed within the Dennistoun area to reduce traffic volumes and increase footway space in the area. Three other LTNs are currently under consideration.”
Twenty-eight kilometres of segregated cycle ways have been provided. These include segregation added to existing cycle lanes at Clarence Drive and Corkerhill Road plus ‘pop-up’ lanes on Clyde Street/Broomielaw, Dumbreck Road, London Road and Great Western Road (Duntreath Avenue to Lincoln Avenue), Gorbals Street, Cumbernauld Road, Provanmill Road, Bilsland Drive, Hawthorn Street and Kelvin Way.
A total of a further 10 kilometres of segregated routes will be provided at Brockburn Road, Braidcraft Road, Howard Street, Royston Road, Cambridge Street, and Wallacewell Road.
The council has agreed that all temporary measures implemented under the Spaces for People (SfP) scheme should be evaluated with a view to making them permanent where possible, with full local consultation.
The report concludes: “It is the council’s intention to work with[active travel organisation] Sustrans to agree a monitoring and review process and thereafter to appoint an independent consultant to carry out a review of the SfP measures and make recommendations on which ones should be made permanent.
“It is proposed that this review would take place from April/May onwards and a report presented for decision thereafter.”
