Support for spaces for people on Kelvin Way

Recently, I enjoyed a walk along the traffic free Kelvin Way. It is the location of the Suffragette Oak which won Tree of the Year 2015. It was planted on 20th April 1918 by Suffragette organisations to remember women gaining the right to vote. 

View of the Suffragette Oak, on Kelvin Way.

It is recognised that more publicity is needed for the Suffragette Oak. We need to share its story and to raise awareness about the campaigns which helped women to get the right to vote. 

Some fruit trees planted in Kelvingrove Park

This months, some fruit trees were planted in the Herbaceous Border of Kelvingrove Park.

View of the Herbaceuos Border with Fruit Trees

These trees were planted after a walkabout, discussion and agreement involving local groups. 

Removing the M8 Woodside Viaduct

Reclaiming the streets for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport is the priority as we rapidly cut our transport emissions to halt catastrophe climate change.

We can learn from the world’s most liveable cities. In research conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Vancouver has received high scores in terms of education, health care, culture, environment, and infrastructure. The main reason behind Vancouver's achievement is the city's determination in the 1970s and 1980s to resist the lure of motorways as a response to traffic problems. Traffic congestion, and the desire to avoid it, has influenced commuters in Vancouver to look at alternatives to car use.

Glasgow is seeking to make similar progress in the reduction of traffic dominance and car dependency. This can be delivered through the planning framework provided by the City Centre Living Strategy. 

This support for less car use is needed due to the context of the increased risk in extreme weather events caused by climate change.  Torrential rains or higher summer temperatures and heat waves affect the pavements and road infrastructure.

There are significant ongoing maintenance and replacement works to consider due to the wear and tear of the city’s motorway infrastructure.

Some cities have chosen to dismantle their motorways instead of repairing them. They have adopted urban planning policy to enable the redesign of motorways to create mixed use development, parks, residential, commercial, or other land uses. This has promoted walkable and cycle-friendly cities.

Glasgow can take forward plans to dismantle the M8 Woodside Viaduct. Currently, the emergency maintenance works at this Viaduct are creating significant traffic disruption and causing disturbance to residents, many of whom do not own a car.

Current closure of Phoenix Road

View of temporary repairs at Chinatown, Cowcaddens

View of temporary repairs at underpass next to Chinatown

We can support measures by Transport Scotland to remove the M8 Woodside Viaduct. This can address the adverse consequences of motorway traffic cutting through our communities. In the longer-term, this will create more liveable neighbourhoods designed to support pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.