Path to better cycling facilities given boost
A new cycling path which will link Craigneuk and Wishaw town centre has received a welcome boost.
Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT) and North Lanarkshire Council have been awarded funding to develop proposals for a walking and cycling route along Meadowhead Road that will form part of an active travel route leading to Wishaw.
An initial feasibility study was undertaken into potential options and following public consultations undertaken at the Jim Foley Centre in Craigneuk in 2019 the preferred option will be progressed to the next design stage.
The preferred design option seeks to reduce traffic speed along Meadowhead Road through the provision of horizontal traffic calming and landscape improvements that will reduce the overall road width without impeding bus routes.
Vertical traffic calming is also proposed at a majority of the side streets with the exception of Wingate Street to avoid any impact on the bus route.
A raised table is proposed across the full junction at Carfin Road to aid north-south movement as this will be a key location for active travel movement and will be the only vertical traffic calming on the bus route.
The raised table will be designed with longer bus friendly ramps to avoid any grounding risk and reduced discomfort for passengers.
Access to all driveways will be maintained with enough on-street parking available, in dedicated locations, to meet the demand observed through parking surveys.
Pedestrian crossing improvements are also proposed along with drainage improvements.
Craigneuk councillor Kenneth Duffy welcomed the progress of the cycle path.
He said: “Meadowhead Road has long been a ‘hot-spot’ for speeding in Craigneuk, many residents have been rightly concerned that an accident or worse is never far away.
“I am delighted these works are progressing and public feedback around traffic speed has played an significant part in shaping the new design.”
The Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT), who helped construct the pump track at Wishawhill Wood, is the driving force behind the plans along with Sustrans, who aim to promote a network of safe walking and cycling routes.
The project will see a number of areas linked for the first time, such as Wishaw Main Street, Wishawhill Wood and Meadowhead Road, to the edge of Ravenscraig.