Glasgow city centre makes more space for social distancing
Last updated 4th Jun 2020
Glasgow city centre is to be adapted to allow more room for pedestrians to practice social distancing.
Plans involve creating 25 kilometres of extra walking space along areas like St Vincent Street, Argyle Street, Hope Street, Queen Street and Bath Street.
It means one third of the city's on street parking will be suspended to provide additional space for physical distancing.
Supported by £3.5m funding from the Scottish Government, administered by Sustrans Scotland; the council’s Spaces for People programme will see city centre footways widened to ease movement while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.
These temporary measures are intended to support economic recovery by creating safe public spaces for businesses and their customers but also to promote active travel in the longer term.
Susan Aitken, Council Leader and City Convener for Inclusive Economic Growth said:
"The easing of the pandemic lockdown means that repurposing our streets is not just an ambition but a matter of urgency. People need the safe space and confidence to observe physical distancing, get on with their lives and accelerate our recovery. We must respond to that need now.
"We have recently been awarded £3.5m from Sustrans to help support this. From reconfiguring our roads and footways to provide extra space for pedestrians, mobility and wheelchair users, to the creation of temporary cycle lanes; different combinations will be considered to fit the needs and characters of different neighbourhoods, as well as our city centre. This funding pot has recently been increased and so we’ll bid for further funding in the near future.
"The need for space is widespread and immediate. Safer streets are about restoring confidence, vibrancy, prosperity. They’re also about saving lives."
Other measures under consideration for the city centre include increasing the time the green man is displayed at junctions or reducing the traffic light cycle times to aid pedestrians. A possible trial of a dispensation for e-scooters in the city centre is also being explored while additional on street cycle parking will be installed where space is available.
Longer term, and once restrictions begin to ease, it is hoped that walking and cycling will continue to be considered a safe and convenient mode of transport that benefits health and air quality.
Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: "The plans for the city centre are a key part of the Spaces for People measures. Spaces for People is about making it safe for people to get about, both in terms of public health and road safety.
"Lockdown has clearly had impact on people’s choices with more people walking and cycling than before. Spaces for People gives us a chance to nurture those choices, encouraging people to keep with active travel and helping to maintain physical distancing as a way to guard against a resurgence of the virus."
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