East Renfrewshire Council is inviting residents to help shape early plans for five ambitious projects that will make it easier to walk, wheel, or cycle for everyday journeys.
The plans call for a connected network of active travel routes across Giffnock, Netherlee, Clarkston and Newton Mearns, which aim to:
- Upgrade major junctions like Eastwood Toll, to make it safer and easier for everyone to cross the road;
- Deliver separated cycle ways along busy roads, to make cycling safer and more attractive for people of all ages and abilities;
- Complete missing links in the off-road path network, to break down barriers between communities and make it quicker to access local services.
East Renfrewshire Council want to learn more about what would help residents make short trips on foot or by bike. A series of drop-in events have been organised in local libraries on the following dates and times:
- Giffnock Library on Tuesday 5 March from 10.00am until 5.00pm
- Mearns Library on Wednesday 6 March from 10.00am until 5.00pm
- Clarkston Library on Thursday 7 March from 10.00am until 5.00pm
At these events, residents will be able to see ideas on how streets in East Renfrewshire could be designed differently. Members of the project team will be on hand throughout the day to answer any questions, and information about every project will be available at each event.
East Renfrewshire Council will also be launching dedicated web pages about the projects. These pages will show the same information as the in-person events, and will also include quick surveys that will help residents send feedback to the project team.
The web pages will launch on Monday 4 March, and the surveys will be open until Sunday 31 March 2024.
Councillor Danny Devlin, Convener for Environment and Housing, said: “These engagement events are a great opportunity to drop in and express your views on the Council’s future plans to connect our communities. We want to make it easier, safer and more attractive for individuals of all ages and abilities to walk, wheel or cycle across East Renfrewshire, so your feedback is important as we look to shape these plans and create more inclusive places. If you’re not able to pop along to any of the events, I’d encourage you to take the opportunity to have your input via the project web pages which will be open throughout March.”
Jack Orso, Grant Manager for Sustrans, added: “From improved crossings and public spaces to new segregated cycleways, each of these five projects will help to deliver safer and more accessible walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities across East Renfrewshire. As such, I encourage all those living and working in the region to take part in shaping the forthcoming designs and share their views on what they need locally.”
The projects are being funded by Transport Scotland, through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme. These initial concept design plans are being developed by engineering consultancy firm AtkinsRéalis.
The five projects being considered are:
- A77 Active Corridor – to consider how to integrate pedestrian crossing improvements, separated cycle ways, bus priority measures and vehicle parking/loading on Ayr Road and Fenwick Road.
- Clarkston – Muirend Active Corridor – to propose improvements for active travel on Clarkston Road alongside two new foot/cycle bridges across railway lines in the area
- Clarkston – Thornliebank Active Corridor – to consider how to integrate improvements for active travel with vehicle parking/loading on Eaglesham Road, Busby Road, Eastwoodmains Road and Rouken Glen Road.
- Lower Whitecraigs Community Link – to develop proposals to improve the public realm on Davieland Road and surrounding streets to enhance the gateway to Rouken Glen Park.
- Wytch Wood Community Link in Patterton – to investigate how to complete a ‘missing link’ off-road path to improve access to Patterton railway station.
