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Edinburgh Reporter
12-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council defers approving permanent traffic measures on London Road
Some of the measures introduced under Spaces for People during the pandemic are still not officially permanent after a decision was deferred by councillors on Monday. At a meeting of the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee, two Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) were included on the agenda for the sub-committee to declare the arrangements permanent. But councillors approved only one – that affecting Cockburn Street, High Street, South St David Street, Victoria Street and West Bow and Waverley Bridge. In respect of the other – ETRO 21/28A which includes segregated cycling measures (the black and white wands) introduced on London Road – a decision has been deferred until the next meeting of the sub-committee, as funding still has to be allocated. A council officer confirmed that the actual arrangements on the road may be changed in response to the objections received. The council report states that 'consideration will be given to upgrading the temporary materials used during the trial to permanent materials'. An officer confirmed this will be a rolling programme, and he explained that given the number of schemes and the extent of them they could not yet say what will be done at every location, but that they intend to have money allocated each year over the next five years for upgrading. Convener Cllr Margaret Graham asked about the objections to the cycle lane on London Road in particular, and how the officers had monitored traffic there. The council officer confirmed there had been cycle counts on London Road with cameras, and said the council has also carried out monitoring of the volume of traffic, looking specifically at the build outs at bus stops where cyclists have to move out into the middle of the road. He confirmed that in a permanent scheme the council would remove the bus build outs and the cycle lane would then continue straight avoiding the need for cyclists to 'weave in and out' to improve safety. One of the objections raised by New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) in the autumn of last year was the impact on road safety for cyclists – where the cycle lane has gaps – meaning that cyclists have to rejoin the carriageway at several points. Cllr Kevin Lang said: 'I am very conscious of the objections which we have had, which relate to safety, which I think we need to take seriously. We do not have clarity yet as to whether there will be the funding allocated to upgrade the infrastructure to respond to the objections. It strikes me as sensible to defer a decision on these matters until we, as a committee, can be satisfied that there will be a response to the objections. I feel the funding package is a material consideration for me as to whether the objections are being adequately responded to.' After Cllr Lang asked what the budget for this year would be it became clear that the funding had not yet been fixed – and would not be until the Transport and Environment Committee met on 22 June to agree the new ten year capital programme. The committee also heard from Dave Sinclair, Locality Transport & Environment Manager, that the highest spec of bollard was chosen at the point of delivery – the black and white wands which NTBCC has suggested are inappropriate for the World Heritage Site. Given the uncertainty of how much money there will be for delivery, and so how these wands could be replaced, councillors agreed to defer making any decision until their next meeting. Watch the webcast of the meeting here. Like this: Like Related
Glasgow Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Councillor claims Glasgow's Queen Street benches ‘left to rot'
Critics say the seating areas in Queen Street have become unsightly and dangerous as a result of being unmaintained since their installation five years ago. Now local authority chiefs say they will go as part of a planned £20 million revamp of the streets in and around George Square. The Glasgow Times understands they were introduced as part of the Spaces for People programme that was initiated during lockdown. Councillor Paul Carey BEM says they have become a 'public hazard' and insists frequent inspections should have been carried out to stop them falling into such a serious state of disrepair. The benches are to be removed from Queen Street. (Image: Supplied) He added: 'The council have simply failed to look after them properly and the wood is now so rotten that if you sit on them, they just start to break apart. They must go as it is really only a matter of time before someone is injured using them. 'They were put in place as part of a positive initiative to give people somewhere to sit to get a breath of fresh air during lockdown, but they are now in such a sorry state that the only real option is to lose them." The councillor for Drumchapel and Anniesland says the matter was brought to his attention after a constituent was injured using one of the benches. Councillor Paul Carey (Image: Supplied) He explained: 'The man told me he sat one of them and ended up with a large skelf sticking into him. It's taken a councillor to raise this and the question is why they were not properly and regularly inspected after being installed? They are a hazard now and should be cordoned off to the public until they are removed.' READ MORE: Glasgow City Council spends £13m on agency staff The council said today that the benches are earmarked to go as part of the redevelopment of George Square and surrounding streets. This project will include tarmac being replaced by 'high-quality stone', play areas for children and the installation of new state-of-the-art sensory gardens. New greenery will be planted to complement the existing Norway maple and cherry trees, while feature lighting and new seating will also be installed to improve the square. George Square is now closed off to the public. (Image: Colin Mearns) Funding has been put in place for the works at the square and also the Avenues Project that will enhance North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. The cash is coming from the council, Scottish and UK governments. The new-look George Square is expected to be open to the public in August 2026. Wooden hoardings are in place, with Glasgow's civic heartbeat now completely closed off to the public. George Square is now closed off to the public. (Image: Colin Mearns) A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'The benches and decking on the east side of Queen Street were introduced on a temporary basis. These features will be removed as part of the work that's getting underway in George Square and the space will become a loading area. 'There are similar features on the west side of the street and these will also be removed, but the pavement will be widened permanently at this location, which will allow tables and chairs to continue to be used.'
