Getting back to it…
Returning to Sighthill, George Square and the latest Liveable Neighbourhoods. New plans for Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. The north bank of the Clyde evolves while work stops on the south.
Apologies that there was no Digest last week.
Section 1: Current Consultations
(in date order for responses)
1.1: Sighthill Masterplan – future phases
Organisations: Keepmoat/Iceni Projects/Elder and Cannon Architects.
Subject: Consultation about an updated masterplan for Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area. The main focus is on the area from Pinkston Rd east towards Springburn Rd/A803 (along its main ‘boulevard’, Sighthill Ave, shown at top of page). Also, the area west of Sighthill Bridge, by the M8 (the ‘Sighthill Bridge Arrival’). The developers say: “The replan has suggested a possible increase in the overall Sighthill masterplan from 826 to 1137 homes… Commercial units and shops will be positioned at either end of the main boulevard and the area adjacent to the new Sighthill Bridge which is also planned for a more mixed use development of student residences, flats, hotel accommodation, independent shops and artists workspaces… We will review all comments made on the proposals and provide feedback at the next consultation event in August 2024.”
The process is due to lead to a new planning application to Glasgow City Council in September 2024.
Website links: Sighthill Masterplan information boards (PDF, 22MB) and Sighthill Masterplan feedback form.
Deadline: 14 June 2024.
1.2: Broomielaw/Clyde St Avenue
Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: The latest evolution of the route along the River Clyde. Spaces for People established a protected westbound bike lane on the road parallel to the popular Clyde Walkway path. Bridge works took away a section before the SfP route was reinstated. In between, kerb works took place at Jamaica St to avoid left-hook collisions. Tragically, Emma Burke Newman was killed by that manoeuvre at the next junction along at the casino/George V Bridge. The route has been used by some to go eastbound since 2020 but these plans would make it permanently 2-way (between the M8 and Glasgow Green). It’s due to take roadspace for a mixture of 2-way and 1-way lanes so the route switches sides of the road a few times at traffic lights. The light sequences will be crucial for safety at junctions and to minimise waiting time. Questions include the potential of a ‘green wave’ along the Clyde and possibly losing access to the Fastlink bus-way.
Website links: Glasgow Avenues: Broomielaw – Clyde Street survey, Broomielaw/Clyde St plans and Avenues STV report.
Deadline: 14 June 2024.
1.3: Liveable Neighbourhoods Tranche 3
Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: GCC program to “rebalance the way streets are designed and used” and “placing walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport as a first, and logical choice for everyday journeys.” The latest ‘Tranche’ of neighbourhoods include: Cardonald to Mosspark, Knightswood to Anniesland, Lambhill to Milton and Ruchazie to Easterhouse. They include destinations like Bellahouston Park, Glasgow BMX Centre, Lambhill Stables and The Fort Shopping Centre. All four areas are around the edge of the city boundary – cross-border connections to other councils will be important as well as links between neighbourhoods. Drop-in events have passed.
Website links: Liveable Neighbourhoods Tranche 3.
Deadline: “June 2024”.
1.4: Travel Renfrewshire 2035
Council: Renfrewshire.
Subject: Local Transport Strategy for Renfrewshire – consultants Aecom are working with the council. The most relevant point on the consultation page for GoBike is: “new walking, wheeling and cycling routes including a new route along the White Cart river between Paisley and Renfrew.” Predictably, it doesn’t mention dropping the plan for a cycleway on Causeyside St, Paisley. Nor the Spaces for People routes removed, like at Howwood. There’s an online map and survey to contribute to.
Website links: Renfrewshire LTS consultation page, Renfrewshire LTS online feedback survey and Renfrewshire LTS online comment map.
Deadline: 27 June 2024.
1.5 South Lanarkshire – Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3)
Council: South Lanarkshire.
Subject: Plan to “set out how our places will look in the future including where new homes and workplaces could be built and the areas that will be protected. There will be a strong emphasis on improving the quality of places as well as addressing the challenges of climate change and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.”
Website links: South Lanarkshire View article and LDP3 webpage (including survey link).
Deadline: 30 September 2024.
Section 2: Consultation Feedback
2.1: Programme for George Square project/Avenues
Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Plans and timeline are published for George Square (and Block C of the Avenues project). This milestone comes 11 years after the aborted competition to redesign the square (for the Commonwealth Games). Design proposals are still being finalised by John McAslan & Partners (the same company who ‘won’ under the previous administration in 2013!). GCC say: “The public realm works on George Square and surrounding Avenues will start in April 2025, with phased completion up to April 2027 (with George Square delivered by August 2026).” Streets in Phase 1 include: John St, North Hanover St, George St (between Nelson Mandela Place and Montrose St) Cochrane St, St Vincent Place/Hanover St and Miller St. Apparently, Phase 2, including: St Vincent Street (Buchanan St – Newton St) and George St (Montrose St – High St), “will follow”. How soon after the Duke St Avenue protected cycle lanes get to the other side of High St is anyone’s guess.
Featured: Digests 56/1.4 & 106/1.5.
Website links: George Square programme article and GCC George Square report.
2.2: Clyde South bank path – redevelopment abandoned
Council: Glasgow City.
Subject: Plans to extend Windmillcroft Quay, on the south bank of the Clyde between Tradeston and Springfield Quay, have been dropped due to cost. GCC say: “the estimated shortfall between the in-principle funding commitment (comprising City Deal funding and contributions from co-owners of the Waterfront development) and the required project budget would have been in the region of £25m… The council therefore had no option but to abandon both the procurement exercise and any further design development activity for this project, under the City Deal programme… Whilst the quay wall and adjacent land are in private ownership, the council is open to working with relevant parties, to consider what alternative options and solutions might be able to be progressed.” Or not as the case may be. The south riverbank seems to fare worse than the north – Adelphi St is still in disrepair after a riverbank collapse back in 2017. There was meant to be £50m City Deal money for quay wall repairs on the river – could some be diverted upstream?
Website links: Scottish Construction Now article and Windmillcroft Quay report.
Section 3: Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders
3.1: Glasgow City TROs and Traffic Calming
Subject: TROs include further School Streets, Gartloch Rd (speed limit), Dougrie Dr, Holland St, Barras North and Queen’s Drive & Langside Rd.
Website links: GCC Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders and GCC Proposed Traffic Calming Schemes.
3.2: North Lanarkshire Council TROs
Subject: TRO about parking restrictions in Station Rd, Shotts (Various Streets, Shotts Area – Waiting and Loading Restrictions, Variation Order No.2).
Website links: Station Rd, Shotts TRO.