News on Spaces for People - East Renfrewshire

This week, we are looking back on responses from the first month of the East Renfrewshire Commonplace Heatmap. Also, as the map remains open to contributions until 31st July , we are asking for your help in rounding out the data collected so far.

What have we heard so far?

There has been a strong response, with over 4000 visitors, 700 comments and 3600 agreements posted in June. The majority of these posts have been focussed on Giffnock, Newton Mearns and Clarkston, with particularly strong interest in the main roads through and between these settlements.

The biggest issues are focused on the speed and quantity of traffic, narrow pavements and paths, and concerns over safety while cycling.

Proposed solutions in response to this includes widening pavements, traffic-free cycle routes, speed reduction measures and restricting or suspending parking.

There is good support for both temporary and more permanent measures, to support safe everyday travel and minimise the risk of virus transmission while walking, cycling or wheeling. Around two thirds of responses were positive towards these changes.

Within Neighbourhood Zones, that is areas other than high streets and main roads, concerns are largely focused on parking and traffic speed issues. There is interest in several potential School Zones, which could involve restricting vehicle access around schools at pick up and drop off times, creating space and a more pleasant environment for safe, physically distanced active travel.

Several residential streets are being reported as problematic ‘rat-runs’, with interest in restricting through traffic and/or widening pavements in order to allow more space for residents to maintain their distance while making essential local journeys.

Where do we need more input?

There are a few areas where we would still like to get more responses, before the site closes for new posts on 31st July. If you can think of anyone you know, or any local groups or community organisations who might be able to help promote this site, please do pass a link onto them.

Even if there’s an opportunity to just have a chat about how easy it is to get around at the moment with friends or relatives, and you could then upload some comments on their behalf, that would be super helpful for us.

We are looking for the input of more;

Thank you for your continued interest in this project, and your help in making a last push to gather as much information as we can!