News on Spaces for People - East Renfrewshire

A big thanks to Sustrans for hosting our Spaces for People Commonplace platform. We have been looking through your comments and analysing feedback to support a number of Spaces for People proposals, either planned or in development. We are overwhelmed by the responses received and strength of feeling to make East Renfrewshire’s streets and spaces safer for everyone.

The last few months have been both a busy and challenging time with a lot of work going on behind the scenes to maintain services while also planning our response to COVID. During this time we have received a number of questions regarding East Renfrewshire’s Spaces of People programme.

What has been happening since lockdown?

Over the past few months there has been a significant amount of work across the whole council to maintain essential services, help businesses and schools reopen safely and support the most vulnerable within our communities while encouraging safe social distancing as we adapt to the ‘new normal’.

In addition to this, we have undertaken a significant amount of planning and engagement to support our Transport Response to COVID-19 to better understand issues and investigate potential solutions as lockdown restrictions ease.

As with the delivery of any large scale project, especially during a pandemic, there are challenges and limitations, however we remain committed to plans and are exploring a number of delivery mechanisms using the £1 million funding provided by Sustrans through the Spaces for People programme.

We have been able to deliver a number of temporary measures in Thornliebank, Barrhead, Stamperland, Busby and Giffnock. In addition, through our ‘Safer Streets, Healthy Business’ approach, businesses have been provided guidance and resources on safe trading during COVID. This includes support for businesses to find creative ways to re-imagine public space outside their premises should they wish to do so. We have also expressed interest in the recently announced Bus Priority Rapid Deployment Fund through involvement with the Glasgow City Region Transport Transition Plan to help keep East Renfrewshire moving.

Where do I find out more information about East Renfrewshire Council’s plans?

Further information can be found via our COVID Safe Streets Storymap and on our website . The Storymap has recently been updated to keep you informed on the status of proposed schemes, with further proposals in the pipeline.

Announcements on delivery of Spaces for People response measures will be made via social media once timescales have been confirmed.

Please note, areas where issues have been identified but opportunities for temporary interventions are not feasible, these will be considered as part of longer term strategic plans to be developed early 2021.

What happens next?

It is clear from the responses received through the Spaces for People Commonplace that there are a number of opportunities to help residents move around safely during COVID. As well as delivery of existing plans, we hope to expand our plans to include further active travel links as well explore opportunities for schools and neighbourhood streets where greatest need has been identified.

We also hope to support local economic recovery through a ‘ Better Points ’ scheme to encourage residents to ‘shop local’ while encouraging more sustainable everyday journeys. Further to this we will shortly launch an authority wide ‘ Beat the Street ’ programme to encourage more young people and families to travel actively to school and explore their local neighbourhoods.

Based on feedback received, we are investigating development of an upgraded cycle facility from Malletshaugh roundabout to the existing A77 cycle track, which will link with the temporary ‘pop up’ facilities planned for the A77 and eventually link to Shawlands in Glasgow. In addition, there is a commitment for a new path facility linking Maidenhill Primary School with existing residential neighbourhoods in Newton Mearns.

Looking into the future, we have secured an additional £80,000 through the Places for Everyone programme to support development of a refreshed Local Transport Strategy and Active Travel Action Plan. This will commence in late September 2020 with a draft strategy planned for April 2021.