Calls to end city centre distancing measures during Lockdown

Businesses in central Glasgow are calling for temporary social distancing measures on roads to be lifted while everyone is at home during lockdown.

The Spaces for People scheme was introduced to allow more physical distance between pedestrians but have narrowed the roads.

Chamber of commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick says the measure aren’t needed at the moment as there isn’t many people in the city centre.

He told Clyde News: “The question that’s being asked is to what extent are they really necessary now that we know we’re not going to see significant crowds in the short term.

“I have to say when crowds do come back the chances are, we will have made great progress with the vaccine.”

The scheme was rolled out in the centre and neighbourhoods to allow more active travel during the pandemic. Stuart Patrick criticises the appearance of the road borders, saying it looks like a “construction site”.

he continued: “Part of the challenge is that the measures by nature narrow the space that’s available for vehicles on the streets and they also don’t look particularly attractive.

Following lockdown, Patrick says that scheme needs to be reviewed in order to make the space viable and less of temporary.

“There’s a huge challenge in rebuilding the economy in Glasgow city centre in the weeks and months ahead, so they’re really keen that either the measures are converted into something more permanent or that those elements of it that prove not to be really necessary can be taken away.”

We’ve approached Glasgow City Council for their response.

Cllr Susan Aitken, Council Leader and City Convener for Inclusive Economic Growth said: "Spaces for People remains an integral element of the city’s coronavirus response, and the ongoing programme has undoubtedly made it easier and safer for Glaswegians to keep a safe distance from others when out walking, wheeling and cycling.

"The agility of these temporary measures means that they can be enhanced, refined and in some cases removed following a period of monitoring and review to ensure they remain necessary and as effective as possible in helping to suppress the spread of the virus.

“The anticipated revisions to the city centre will not only improve the overall look of the measures, they will also provide a more robust provision which better suits what is needed in our city centre as we plan a long-term recovery and renewal for Glasgow’s economy, now and as lockdown restrictions potentially ease.”

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