Glasgow approves plan to transform the city’s transport over next decade

Glasgow City Council has approved the City Centre Transport Plan, which is intended to support the transformation of travel and transport in Glasgow’s city centre over the next decade.

One of the main proposals is the introduction of a People First Zone (PFZ) - an area in which people will be given priority over vehicles, with restrictions on private vehicles to minimise traffic congestion in the city centre.

Other projects proposed to help deliver the aims of the plan, include the George Square and the wider Avenues and Avenues Plus programmes; the High Street corridor; transformation work on the Broomielaw and Clyde Waterfront; people-friendly streets; and the Charing Cross scheme.

The final version of the CCTP was informed by public consultation between July and September this year, with key themes outlined by the public including accessibility, active travel, servicing of city centre premises, the impact of the M8, people-friendly streets and focusing on sustainability.

Projected figures provided by the local authority suggest the implementation of the CCTP could lead to a 23% reduction in car trips to and from the city centre, a 43% increase in walking and a 300% increase in cycling. This, the council says, will result in a corresponding 16% decrease in CO2 emissions.

Active travel charity Sustrans also recently announced a successful funding application by Glasgow City Council, which led to the award of £450,000 in funding.

Some £60,000 of this will be allocated to the People First Zone, with the remaining £390,000 going an Accessibility Audit, according to the council.

Moreover, the funding is intended to support the council-client team, meet the costs of data collection and the procurement of consultancy support to assist with engagement work and to take forward the design activity.

Angus Millar, councillor and convener for climate, transport, Glasgow Green Deal and city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council, said, “The approval of the City Centre Transport Plan means the Council can now get on with delivering our plans for a greener, better connected city centre.

“The proposed People First Zone could be transformative for the city centre, and I am delighted that we have secured funding to take forward more detailed work on this project, while funding for an accessibility audit will help us ensure our streets are inclusive for all.

“Alongside our wider regeneration work, the City Centre Transport Plan will play an important part in the growth and recover of the city centre in the years to come.”

The council has said it will now begin to work with partners – include the Glasgow Bus Partnership, SPT and Sustrans – to source additional funding to help deliver the CCTP.