Glasgow’s Argyle Street is set to become one way while the Clydeside Expressway could be downgraded and replaced with a tree-lined boulevard under new proposal options.
The potential redesign ideas have been put forward in Glasgow council's draft liveable neighbourhoods programme council document for Yorkhill and Anderston.
Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street would see a one way traffic system introduced with both direction cycle paths - giving more room to pedestrians and cafes under proposals.
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A total of 22 projects have been presented for the areas of Yorkhill, Finnieston, Anderston, Charing Cross and Park, and the Riverfront.
Also under consideration are a new bridge over the A814 from Little Street to the Riverfront and improving the access area between Argyle Street across the M8 around the Anderston Cross Station. Sauchiehall Street at the M8 would see the redesign of junction to improve the area for pedestrians and connections to cycle paths under proposals.
Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street, Kelvinhaugh Street and Kelvinway Street are all set to become a lot leafier with trees and plants if certain plans move forward.
The liveable neighbourhood draft report said: “The main move is to make Sauchiehall and Argyle Street one-way while introducing two-way cycle lanes. This will give much needed space to pedestrians and cafes and bars that line both streets.
"The one-way roads will be designed with traffic calming measures using proximity and chicaning the road. In between Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street some existing through roads will be kept to reduce the limitations on traffic caused by the one-way system.”
The report pointed out problems with the A814 Clydeside Expressway for those who live around the area including pollution and discouragement of cycling and walking with the traffic disconnecting communities.
It said: “In particular, it is difficult to imagine less appropriate places for schools, community buildings and housing than next to an expressway, and yet some of the less affluent areas of Anderston in particular, are located adjacent to the A814, and the M8 motorway.”
Suggesting an alternative it said: “As part of a commitment to reducing vehicle journeys by 30 per cent across the city, the expressway could be re-imagined as a city boulevard, that is more integrated into the context within which it is located. This would encourage less car journeys, whilst recognising a need for continued vehicular traffic into and out of the city.”
SNP councillor for Anderston/City/Yorkhill, Angus Millar, said: “Glasgow’s liveable neighbourhoods programme is about looking at the city neighbourhood by neighbourhood, street by street, and identifying ways to create better places, improve how we get about our communities, and ensure local amenities.
“I am delighted that following local public engagement, initial proposals have been identified for the Anderston, Yorkhill and Finnieston areas which have a huge amount of potential, from supporting green spaces and people-friendly streets to better connecting Finnieston and Yorkhill to the Clyde.
He added: “It’s still very much early days in this process and I’m looking forward to the next phase of local engagement which will flesh out early ideas and identify what projects the community might like to see taken forward as priorities. That can then form the basis of future plans and funding bids to support local neighbourhood improvements.”
The ideas in the plan are at an early stage and consultation has been taking place with residents to find out issues in the area.
Proposals are to be analysed to identify suitable projects to be taken forward for concept design.
Explaining more about the actual roll-out of liveable neighbourhood plans, the report said: “Some projects identified will not initially be taken forward by Glasgow City Council and will be revisited when funding opportunities arise.”
Liveable neighbourhoods form part of the council's strategy to help it achieve net zero carbon targets and reduce 30 per cent of car kilometres travelled by 2030 among other goals.
It aims to transform streets into areas where people feel they are safe and attractive environments. It aims to support more journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling locally, as well as improving access to public transport interchanges, shorten journeys and reduce the need to travel by car.
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