Residents warning of cycle lane chaos
GREAT Western Road residents have warned a new cycle lane project will cause parking chaos on the busy street. Blairdardie and Knightswood residents say Glasgow City Council’s new Spaces For People project – which will see pop-up cycle lanes erected in a bid to allow physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic – will reduce the dual carriageway to one lane.
Homeowners have contacted the local community councils and the area’s councillor Paul Carey amid fears they won’t be able to access their driveways and that the number of on-street parking spaces will be majorly reduced.
Eric Flak, secretary for Blairdardie Community Council, told us: “We’re going to end up with Great Western Road being reduced to one lane and there’s already a lot of traffic in that area. It doesn’t seem like a great idea.
“We only got notification of the project yesterday but I know already some of the people who live in the bungalows on the road aren’t happy because will they be able to get into their driveways? What about parking on the street?
“We really don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Mr Carey said he backed the scheme throughout the city but didn’t approve of the location, insisting the dual carriageway is not a popular cycle destination.
He said: “This is a fairly busy stretch and I have never ever seen anyone cycle on it.
“I think this will cause massive queues and backlogs for vehicles, considering there are buses and big vans that go through here as well, as it links directly with the A82.
“I don’t think this has been thought through well at all.
“They are not consulting the community and the location they picking is questionable.”
However, a council spokeswoman insisted residents would still be able to use parking facilities.
She said: “As lockdown restrictions ease, our Spaces For People programme is looking to manage the road network differently by introducing a range of temporary travel infrastructure measures to help suppress a resurgence of Covid-19.
“In addition to widening footways to create extra space for distancing around busy areas such as shops, community facilities and public transport hubs, we are also installing temporary strategic cycling routes across the city to increase the attractiveness and viability of active travel for everyday journeys, including commuting.
“Access to driveways at this location will be maintained, together with any existing parking lay-bys.
“If any issues emerge locally with the cycle lane, we would look to address these where possible.”
This is a fairly busy stretch and I have never ever seen anyone cycle on it