Glasgow commits to retaining ‘Spaces for People’ measures

MANY of the pop-up cycle and walking lanes erected in Glasgow, to make it safer for people getting about the city during the Covid-19 pandemic, are to be retained, permanently.

Says an announcement from the local authority, here: “A raft of Spaces for People measures which are set to be retained to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys have either now been made permanent or are expected to become so in the coming weeks – including cycle lanes that will now form part of a fully-segregated route running from the city centre to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome [in the east of the city] ahead of next year’s UCI World Cycling Championships in Glasgow.”

The announcement goes on to say: “Introduced at the start of Covid-19, Spaces for People delivered a significant number of temporary travel interventions across the city to ease physical distancing in public places, mainly through widened footways, road closures and segregated cycle lanes.

“As much of the infrastructure offered long-term active travel and sustainability benefits, it was agreed that most measures would be made permanent. This includes all segregated cycle lanes which offer around 40km of additional, dedicated cycling space.

“Also to be retained are footway widening measures and urban greening around George Square and Merchant City as well as footway build-outs that provide extra pedestrian space around bus stops.”

Pictured: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Picture credit: Glasgow City Council