Kelvin Way to be shut as part of Glasgow physical distancing measures

New measures to encourage physical distancing for people walking and cycling in Glasgow have been unveiled.

Kelvin Way will be shut to traffic from Saturday to allow more space for those using the Kelvingrove Park area for daily exercise.

Plans to widen Clyde Street and Broomielaw are also underway.

Both Kelvin Way and the Clyde Walkway have been heavily used for daily excercise and concerns have been expressed about the ability to follow the 2-metre distance rule in these places.

Other areas with high pedestrian footfall like Byres Road and Partick, Dennistoun, Shawlands and Maryhill have also been identified as places where the temporary measures could help, along with Pollok, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Castlemilk.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council says:

“When lockdown begins to ease, it is vital that we do everything we can as a city to keep the coronavirus at bay.

We want to ensure that people are confident that they can move safely around the city, and access workplaces, shops, pubs, restaurants and other business when they begin to reopen.

This is crucial not only for the health of our citizens, but also the health of our economy.

“Rethinking road space to allow for wider footways will be essential for people accessing businesses, public transport and other facilities, and these types of measures will be an important tool in getting the city up and running again.

“The imminent closure of Kelvin Way and plans to widen footways along Clyde Street and Broomielaw are the shape of things to come and I welcome the funding from the Scottish Government, which will enable us to accelerate these plans.

“We will be looking at communities in all parts of the city to see what measures can be put in place in the weeks and months ahead.”

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: “Once restrictions begin to ease, it is crucial that walking and cycling continue to be safe and convenient modes of transport that are good for health and air quality.

“We have already moved very far in a short space of time on the use of widened footpaths and cycle ways to support physical distancing. We hope these measures will help provide the necessary protection from covid-19 but also lead to other public health benefits.”

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