GLASGOW is set for £2.3 million worth of bus infrastructure and network improvements in a bid to make people make more sustainable travel choices.
The city’s local authority secured the funding following a bid to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), with the council looking to reduce car vehicle kilometres by at least 30% in the city.
The funding will be used to:
- Progress bus priority work on Hope Street between Argyle Street and West George Street. The corridor will benefit from improved bus stops, new shelters, junction and crossing upgrades, and the availability of more accurate bus service information. Subject to future funding, a second phase of work would see similar improvements extended north to Cowcaddens.
- Reduce travel delays for bus passengers travelling on Paisley Road West, with work starting soon to realign an area of the carriageway and the delivery of better street lighting, improved bus stops and upgraded footways.
- Progress a project to reduce congestion and improve bus journey time reliability in Pollok, to detailed design. The SPT funding will enable plans to be taken forward to replace Peat Road roundabout with a signal-controlled junction, enhanced by bus, taxi and cycle lanes on approach.
- Install bus lane enforcement cameras at Shawlands Cross, Gorbals Street and George Square to prioritise bus journeys.
- Improve accessibility at identified bus stops on the bus network by way of high access kerbs and the provision of Real Time Passenger Information.
- Install detection equipment at a number of junctions to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability. Traffic signal timings will also be adjusted at these locations to assist buses that are running behind schedule.
- Replace the existing cycle counters on Sauchiehall Street, Kelvin Way and Gorbals Street with high visibility units. This style of counter which has proved popular with the public, records and displays statistics electronically to enhance the active travel experience.
Councillor Angus Millar, convener for transport and climate at Glasgow City Council, said, “Improvements to Glasgow’s bus network are a vital part of our vision for a world-class public transport system, better connecting Glasgow’s communities and supporting the shift to sustainable transport. This funding will support our work to help improve bus journey times and enhance reliability, with a variety of projects including upgrades to a major city centre bus corridor and improvements to key passenger routes on the southside.”
Stephen Dornan, chair of SPT, added, “Despite challenging financial pressures, SPT is working to make transport across our area greener, more connected, and more reliable and accessible to all. Our capital investment programme will ensure communities, residents and businesses can share in the benefits of improved public transport and active travel.”
