Cycle Routes Ideas

Firstly I am listing some ideas about the cycle networks in the Strathclyde area. Below that are some older ideas of mine.

Developing the National Cycle Network around Glasgow

At the moment, the National Cycle Network routes around the Glasgow area form a rather sparce network of routes. Indeed there are more motorways within Glasgow's boundaries than NCN routes. But once outside of Glasgow, these routes see very little interaction with other NCN routes, so don't form much of a network for much of the population. However, there are a handful of other longer-distance routes which could be brought into the National Cycle Network, and indeed Sustrans has already allocated an NCN number to the Strathkelvin Railway Path as well as proposing extensions to link in with other NCN routes. The map above shows my ideas for the development of the network, and is not endorsed by anyone else. The main features are:

• Allocating a NCN number (I've chosen 737) to the A77 cycle route between Newton Mearns and Kilmarnock, and extending it northwards to Glasgow (and via Speirs Wharf to Stockingfield Junction) and southwards to Prestwick Airport (via the A77 facility around Symington)
• Extending Route 73 eastwards over the Irvine Valley Trail (currently being upgraded) and then via country lanes to Strathaven and Larkhall
• Extending Route 756 southwards to Strathaven over an existing cycle route
• Extending Route 756 northwards via a completed A81 Bears Way cycle route to Milngavie and via country lanes to Strathblane or Mugdock Country Park
• Constructing a new direct cycle route between Bargeddie and Glasgow (there are various options) and diverting Route 75 over this, with Route 74 taking over the existing route between Uddingston and Glasgow
• Extending Route 755 southwards from Drumpellier Country Park taking over the existing Route 75 to Uddingston and then to East Kilbride over another existing cycle route

Developing the Cumbernauld Cycle Network

A network of routes was signed in Cumbernauld consisting of five main routes and a number of connecting subsidiary routes. An early version of the diagrammatic map of the network can be found on flickr.

I think it would be more straight forward to eliminate the route numbers with suffixes, and replace them with a network of eight routes, each of which has a purpose such as going to the town centre or to one of the town's main railway stations. I have also suggested some extensions to reach parts of the town that are currently without a connection to the network. Routes 1 to 4 all pass through the town centre, and routes 5 to 8 serve the fringes of the town, including the railway stations. Some routes share common sections, so would be jointly signed (as happens inconsistently at present).

The network would thus provide more connections with National Cycle Network routes (at Stoneyetts, Auchinstarry and Wyndford Locks) and more comprehensive coverage of the town, without any need for suffixed route numbers. Most of the extensions are on existing paths, some of which would need upgrading.

(Note that the proposals below are now out of date and various changes to routes have since happened)

Glasgow East - Coatbridge

• Baillieston - Coatbridge
• Cranhill - Coatbridge
• Cranhill - Drumpellier Country Park - Coatbridge

These three routes should not be considered as different options for one final route. Instead they can all be developed together, with each route serving a different market. The first is intended as a 24-hour route, usable night and day, whilst the others are aimed more at the leisure market. Each route makes better use of existing infrastructure, with only a limited amount of new build. The second two have substantial common sections, and can be developed together.

Coatbridge - Strathclyde Park

• Coatbridge - Bellshill - Strathclyde Country Park

This route provides a direct link between Coatbridge and Strathclyde Park, via Bellshill. There are already plans for a link between the Sustrans cycle route at Uddingston and Strathclyde Park, but this is a rather long way round to get from Coatbridge to the park. Similarly it is possible to go from Coatbridge along the Monkland Canal to Calderbank, then through Eurocentral and Holytown, but again going via Bellshill is more direct. The route makes extensive use of existing minor side streets, many of which already have "Twenty's Plenty" advisory speed limits, and some existing paths through parks. The major issue here is how to get through Shawhead Junction, where the A725, B7070 and A8 meet up, creating a hellish roadscape for the would-be law-abiding cyclist.