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Kelvin Way to close to traffic as Glasgow makes space for pedestrians and cyclists

Glasgow City Council has announced two temporary measures to support physical distancing during the pandemic.

Kelvin Way through Kelvingrove Park will close to traffic from Saturday to create safe space for active travellers.

Glasgow City Council has announced two temporary measures to support physical distancing during the pandemic.

A second measure will see a new cycle lane on Clyde Street-Broomielaw to "reduce pressure along the Riverside".

 Kelvin Way will close from this Saturday.
Kelvin Way will close from this Saturday.

Cllr Anna Richardson - the city's convenor for sustainability & carbon reduction - said others steps would follow.

She tweeted: "We are busy pulling together a more comprehensive set of measures as quickly as we can, and of course will seek funding from the £10m made available this week by @MathesonMichael.

"We intend to implement measures to 1. Increase physical distancing at high demand locations eg outside shops and …

"2. Make cycling a safer transport option, especially once lockdown eases.

"This is a new way of working, in a public health emergency, and we are going as fast we can."

Delighted

Campaigners had called for re-allocation of road space to allow safe distancing for "people walking, cycling and wheeling".

The Scottish government announced £10 million to pay for projects around Scotland.

Pedal on Parliament, which had called on politicians to follow the lead of other countries, said it was delighted at Glasgow's lead.

It tweeted: "Whoop" First announcement from @GlasgowCC and more to come #SpaceForDistancing #SpacesForPeople"

The council later said both Kelvin Way and the Clyde Walkway had been heavily used by people using the current exercise exemption to staying at home.

Concerns had been expressed about the ability to follow the 2-metre physically distant rule in these places.

 Glasgow is taking measures to give people space to move in busy spaces when restrictions ease.
Glasgow is taking measures to give people space to move in busy spaces when restrictions ease.

The council sees additional public space for physical distancing as a key component in the economic recovery of the city.

Other areas with high pedestrian footfall such as Byres Road and Partick, Dennistoun, Shawlands and Maryhill have also been identified as places where the temporary measures can be introduced.

Pollok, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Castlemilk have been earmarked for support also.

Councillor Susan Aitken, council leader, said: “When lockdown begins to ease, it is vital that we do everything we can as a city to keep the coronavirus at bay.

"We want to ensure that people are confident that they can move safely around the city, and access workplaces, shops, pubs, restaurants and other business when they begin to reopen.

'We want to ensure that people are confident that they can move safely around the city, and access workplaces, shops, pubs, restaurants and other business when they begin to reopen'

Susan Aitken

"This is crucial not only for the health of our citizens, but also the health of our economy.

“Rethinking road space to allow for wider footways will be essential for people accessing businesses, public transport and other facilities, and these types of measures will be an important tool in getting the city up and running again.

“The imminent closure of Kelvin Way and plans to widen footways along Clyde Street and Broomielaw are the shape of things to come and I welcome the funding from the Scottish Government, which will enable us to accelerate these plans.

“We will be looking at communities in all parts of the city to see what measures can be put in place in the weeks and months ahead.”

The closure of Kelvin Way will be implemented from 00.01 hours on Saturday, May 2.

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