Funding Boost from SPT to Encourage Sustainable Travel

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has secured funding of £2.3m for Glasgow projects that encourage people to make more sustainable travel choices.

The funding will be used to deliver bus infrastructure improvements and network enhancements as well as boosting the recording of active travel levels across our network.

Glasgow's Transport Strategy has set a target of reducing car vehicle kilometres by at least 30% in support of the city's ambition to become a net zero carbon city by 2030 - acknowledging that a widespread shift to active travel and public transport is essential for the fight against climate change.

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.

Welcoming the funding, Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for Transport and Climate 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.

"Addressing congestion at key pinch-points through junction reconfiguration, changes to traffic signal timings and additional bus lane enforcement will help ensure buses can serve the city more efficiently.

"The funding will also improve accessibility for bus passengers, with bus stop and shelter improvements as well as upgraded footways and better crossing facilities.  The provision of Real Time Passenger Information also ensures passengers have up to date, reliable data displayed at bus stops which helps to increase confidence in bus travel and encourage more people to take the bus".

Stephen Dornan, Chair of SPT said: "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.

"We are proud to announce this funding and look forward to working with Glasgow City Council and others to progress all these important projects and deliver transport improvements across the region."

SPT's annual funding is a competitive funding stream which local government bodies within the SPT area can bid for.

The City Administration Committee approved acceptance of this capital grant funding award.