Discovering Glasgow’s Exciting Active Travel Network plans.
Glasgow is making strides in creating an unparalleled active travel network, with a comprehensive roadmap now unveiled for the city’s residents and visitors alike.
The ambitious plan aims to add nearly 270 km of secure, segregated routes for walking, cycling, and wheeling to Glasgow’s existing 300 km of pathways. The City Network focuses on areas identified based on factors such as deprivation levels, current cycling infrastructure, pedestrian and cyclist accidents, local amenities, population size, and car ownership rates.
The city has already made progress in promoting safer routes in neighborhoods like Byres Road, Sighthill, Barrowfield, and Parkhead. The upcoming development phase will concentrate on Glasgow’s north and south regions, as well as Greater Govan. As part of this initiative, 77 km of cycle paths and footpaths will be constructed to connect existing routes and facilitate links with nearby local authorities.
In the coming years, five distinct design and construction phases are anticipated, culminating in the early 2030s. This comprehensive approach will ensure that the City Network becomes accessible and convenient for all areas of Glasgow. While specific routes may undergo minor alterations during the technical design process, the final delivery plan demonstrates the city’s commitment to providing secure, dedicated cycling infrastructure for everyone.
Glasgow’s City Convener for Transport, Councillor Angus Millar, believes the City Network is essential for addressing the city’s transport-related carbon emissions and combating climate change. By offering safer spaces for active travel, more residents will gain the confidence to choose walking, cycling, and wheeling for their everyday journeys.
“The final delivery plan paves the way for an unparalleled City Network for active travel in Glasgow,” says Councillor Angus Millar. “Our detailed, street-by-street guide reveals how we will achieve our vision for transforming walking, cycling, and wheeling experiences across the city.”
The plan aims to connect existing infrastructure, ensuring that more areas of Glasgow become accessible through safe, active travel-focused facilities. Key considerations in determining where to focus efforts include social justice, car ownership rates, and the prevalence of active travel injuries in certain areas.
While there is still much work to be done, including engaging with local communities on detailed designs, the roadmap provides a clear direction for Glasgow’s City Network, enabling the transformation of active travel experiences.
By endorsing the development of new infrastructure for walking, cycling, and wheeling as part of daily routines, Glasgow’s residents will experience a significant shift in their city’s transportation landscape. The City Network is a critical component in building a sustainable transport system that reduces carbon emissions and moves Glasgow closer to becoming a net-zero city.
The first phase of the delivery plan includes developing 24 km of routes in the North City network, covering areas like Ruchill, Possil, Springburn, Royston, and Blackhills. The South City network will add an additional 33 km of routes, with potential connections to East Renfrewshire. Moreover, the first phase will introduce almost 20 km of routes in Greater Govan, encompassing Govan Road, Paisley Road West, and Shieldhall Road, as well as parts of Cardonald and Craigton.
For full details on all proposed phases of the City Network Final Delivery Plan, consult the papers presented to the Environment and Liveable Neighbourhoods City Policy Committee. The paper is now awaiting final approval from the council’s City Administration Committee.
In addition to the City Network, a separate report details plans to support people in making more sustainable travel choices. The Travel Behaviour Change Strategy aims to maximize the return on investment in sustainable transport infrastructure by fostering conditions that encourage walking, cycling, and wheeling as the go-to choices for everyday local journeys.
