Residents slam new bike shed
Money should have been used to sort potholes
Cambuslang residents have told South Lanarkshire Council bosses to get on their bikes – by puncturing the local authority’s pride for a recently installed cycle shelter on the Main Street.
The new facility has been constructed despite the street previously being left out of the cycle route that was laid out across the town.
That oversight has prompted several residents to question the point of the exercise, which cost almost £4000.
Despite locals’ bemusement, council bosses insist the shelter will encourage locals to shop more in Cambuslang.
Pictures of the shelter were posted on a social media page last week and instantly prompted questions as to why the money was not used on repairs to Main Street’s problem pavements instead.
One resident told the Reformer: “This seems pointless. Everyone knows the Main Street needs work done on it and it’s frustrating to see this appear when everything else is in a state.”
Another added online: “This looks more like a smoking shelter than anything.”
Funding for the shelter came from the Scottish Government and SPT and was to be used on cycling projects in the area.
Cambuslang’s community council were consulted about the moves and are in favour of promoting cycling – but were left scratching their heads over the shelter’s positioning.
Group chairman David Thomson said: “We were notified in February that South Lanarkshire Council intended to install a bike shelter at this location and asked whether we minded that one of the Cambuslang in Bloom planters would need to be moved.
“In principle, we strongly support more cycling and better facilities to encourage people to use their bikes.
“We do, though, have concerns. Investment in cycling in Cambuslang is being decided piecemeal and without consultation with local people on a wider transport strategy.
“So, for example, a bike shelter is built on the Main Street, a few years after a cycle route through Cambuslang was laid out along Allison Drive, without local consultation.
“New cycle lanes were created at either end of the town – once again without consultation – but they go on and off pavements or disappear suddenly.
“It would be great to see more investment in cycling in Cambuslang but it desperately needs to be part of a local strategy and involve local people otherwise the new investment will not be used.”
Mr Thomson also criticised what he preceived as a lack of cohesion over town centre planning.
He continued: “Decisions are being made on the design and siting of street furniture seemingly without regard to the coherence of the overall streetscape.
“So, we have ended up with a cluttered Main Street with different posts, signs, railings and other items that lack any kind of common identity.
“The new bike shelter is right next to a bus stop which has a completely different design.”
South Lanarkshire Council head of roads and transportation, Gordon Mackay, told the Reformer that the shelter will encourage locals to use shops in Cambuslang.
He said: “The partners are committed to improving sustainable travel links particularly to encourage cycling within town centres.
“The Cambuslang corridor already attracts many cyclists and the provision of sheltered parking will encourage more people to stop and use local shops by bike.”