One-way pavement system planned for city’s centre

ONE-WAY pavements could be introduced in Glasgow city centre to allow people to maintain physical distancing during the phased lockdown exit plan.

Glasgow City Council is considering a wide range of measures that will allow more space for people to walk and cycle in the city centre while keeping two metres apart from others.

A one-way system in city centre streets where pavements are narrow is one of the many radical ideas being looked at.

For it to work there would be extra crossing points introduced.

Another is reversing the traffic lights system to set the green man as default and for vehicles to activate a change, instead of pedestrians pressing the button.

Every main street in the city centre would be affected by the measures, with an extra 15 miles of space given over to walking and cycling.

Removing all on-street parking, to allow wider pavements, is also being part of the plan.

It is thought there is plenty of capacity in the off-street car parks to cope.

Among the options being looked at are: •Selective road closures.

• Making narrow pavements, with limited space, one-way for pedestrians, with perhaps additional crossing points.

• Encouraging and facilitating responsible queuing at bus stops.

• Identifying potential cycle routes through the city centre linking to strategic routes.

• A trial of e-scooters in the city centre and increasing the number of bikes and electric bikes available bike hire scheme.

Plans for busy shopping streets outside the city centre will also be developed, including for Partick, Shawlands, Maryhill and Dennistoun, Pollok, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Castlemilk.