Praise for Kelvin Way plans after year of closure
Trust wants to see traffic free roads continue
ACOMMUNITY group has renewed calls to keep Kelvin Way closed to traffic one year on from the West End thoroughfare being adapted to boost cycling and walking.
Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Development Trust welcomed the measure, which was introduced to help give people more space to exercise, socialise and come together as a community while remaining safely physically distanced.
The trust has been monitoring the use of the space to help inform its own plans for improving walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.
Wendy Shaw, chairwoman of the Development Trust, said: “Kelvin Way being vehicle free for a whole year has given us a real taste of how things could be.
“The sheer joy of a car free Kelvin Way through the seasons has been amazing.
“It’s great to see the space being used by everyone and particularly the positive impact it has had on local children walking and wheeling to school safely.
“The reduction of traffic noise and pollution is also a huge plus.
“We hope that Glasgow City Council will be proud of what it has achieved and will keep Kelvin Way for people going forwards.
“This is just the beginning.” The Development Trust is a community led charity set up to improve the streets in Yorkhill and Kelvingrove by ensuring walking, wheeling and cycling are a priority and that accessibility for all is key.
The trust will work with the local community to shape and deliver these changes enabled by the funding secured through Glasgow City Council, Transport Scotland and Sustrans.
With work to source detailed ideas and feedback from the community due to start in the coming months, the trust is keen to highlight the role that people can play in shaping the future of their areas.
Lee Grant, secretary of the Development Trust, said: “We are really keen to encourage members to come and join us.”
Sustrans Scotland is one of the funding partners for Yorkhill & Kelvingrove Development Trust.
Michael Melton, infrastructure manager for Sustrans Scotland, said: “It has been amazing to hear how popular the changes to Kelvin Way have been. They show the real enthusiasm in Glasgow for making walking, wheeling and cycling easy everyday travel choices for more people, particularly for short journeys.
“We are really looking forward to seeing the ideas that the Development Trust and the local community come up with for their streets and we’d encourage anyone with an interest in the project to get involved.”
Kelvin Way has been closed since May last year as part of a larger package of measures delivered by Glasgow City Council through the Spaces For People programme, funded by Transport Scotland and managed by Sustrans Scotland.
Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council was awarded £6.5 million through the Places For Everyone scheme in 2019, with equal match funding provided by Glasgow City Council.
To get involved email ykdevelopmenttrust@gmail.com
The reduced pollution levels are great