The prospect of people crossing a cycle path after coming off a bus as part of plans for Paisley town centre has been branded an “accident waiting to happen”.
The scenario is a possible outcome of a regeneration project earmarked for Causeyside Street, which Renfrewshire Council hopes will boost active travel and public transport connections in the area.
The proposals include a two-way cycle route between Canal Street and Gilmour Street stations, linked into National Cycle Route 7, which would be separated from both the main road carriageway and pedestrians.
However, those either getting on or off a bus could be forced to navigate a cycle lane, and therefore cyclists, via a pedestrian crossing – a potential situation that has worried some elected members.
The issue was brought up by Councillor Carolann Davidson, a Labour rep for Paisley East and Central, at an infrastructure, land and environment policy board. She said it was a “concern” – particularly for people with a visual impairment.
An engagement exercise concluded earlier this month, which addressed this matter, and cited the planned use of zebra crossings and markings warning cyclists to give way in advance.
Dimpled paving would also be in place at crossing points, bus stops and next to the cycle path to help those with a visual impairment, while there would be a defined kerb to support them to identify the edge of the pavement.
Gerard Hannah, the council’s infrastructure, transportation and change manager, moved to further allay concerns at the board by saying the engagement exercise wasn’t a “one and done”.
He added: “It’s almost going to be a continued conversation throughout the design process.
“I think one of the things that we picked up on the other day was engagement with people like the Visually Impaired Forum to make sure when we get to putting that final design into action that we’re getting it right and we get it right first time, rather than having to then go and do remedials later down the line.
“That’s something that we are committed to making sure does happen. There’s going to be that continued conversation right through the whole piece to make sure that happens.”
Councillor Ben Smith, a Labour rep for Paisley Northwest, said he was “deeply concerned” about the prospect of people getting off a bus and then crossing a cycle path.
He continued: “I don’t see how going forward it could be feasible to do this.
“I understand what Gerry said, that it’s not a done deal, and I do hope that that’s the case because there are concerns – especially for people who have disabilities, hearing impairments and so on – but also for elderly and young people, indeed anyone.
“It could happen to anyone to walk off a bus on to a cycle track and not hear a bike coming. It just seems like an accident waiting to happen, so I just wanted to raise my concerns on that one.”
Councillor Michelle Campbell, SNP board convener, said she had taken on board the points that had been raised about the plans.
She continued: “Let’s get it right first time round is the approach that I would like to take with this.
“You can’t get everything right but in these sorts of matters, where it’s about making sure the equality measures are right for individuals in our communities, we have to make sure that we reach out as far as possible.
“I’m giving you that assurance that I will make sure that officers are engaging on this very specific niche point and any further that come forward as well.”
Steps are now being taken to procure the works, with an estimated completion date of September.
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