Controversial cycle lane made shorter
Amendments will reduce congestion, says council
The eastbound cycle lane in Cambuslang is being made shorter and traffic light signals changed in a bid to address growing concerns over the controversial cycle route introduced to the town earlier this year.
Workmen began digging up Glasgow Road on the approach to Bridge Street on July 5 to make the cycle lane shorter and revert the layout to that used previously when two lanes allowed motorists to turn right and drive straight ahead.
South Lanarkshire Council said the amendments to the traffic lanes would reduce congestion in the town and improve road safety.
The local authority installed wider cycle lanes on the A734 - along Cambuslang Main Street, Glasgow Road and Hamilton Road - in April when lanes for motorists were reduced from two to one.
The subsequent large queues of traffic on Main Street saw motorists and pedestrians dub them “not fit for purpose”, while shop keepers complained the congestion was bad for passing trade.
But South Lanarkshire Council this week confirmed that it was addressing concerns raised by Cambuslang councillors who had been inundated with complaints from locals.
Gordon Mackay, head of roads and transportation services at South Lanarkshire Council, said changes have already been made to traffic light signals to improve congestion along the cycle route.
He said: “A series of refinements to the scheme are underway to address specific concerns, most significantly reducing the length of the dedicated cycle lane on the eastbound approach to Bridge Street.
“These refinements will be funded utilising existing cycling funding provided by external partners.
“These adjustments are ongoing at present and we expect them to be completed over the next seven days.
“A safety audit of the scheme has been completed with colleagues from Police Scotland which raised no significant issues.
“The council remains committed to increasing cycling levels across South Lanarkshire and as far as is practicable working towards the Scottish Government’s target of 10 per cent of everyday journeys being by bike by 2020.
“Any works undertaken on the road network are planned and co-ordinated by the council using The Scottish Road Works Commissioner online register www. road works scotland. org.”