'Spaces for people' - pop up active travel infrastructure for Glasgow

After the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic the Scottish Government introduced the ‘Spaces for People’ program, which aimed to ease the demand on public transport and help physical distancing. The swift provision of temporary active travel measures was to promote more walking, cycling and wheeling journeys, whilst providing space for safe social distancing. Due to our experience with active travel infrastructure, East Renfrewshire and Glasgow City Council commissioned AECOM to undertake the assessment and design of such measures at key routes within the council’s areas creating temporary cycle networks.

To promote active travel in East Renfrewshire a 4.5 km Strategic Cycle Corridor was introduced on the A77 Ayr Road, a critical route connecting the Southside to Glasgow City Centre and existing South City Way, linking major local destinations such as a railway stations, shopping centres, parks and recreational grounds.

The interventions In Glasgow were introduced at three locations in the north side which would directly benefit active travel journeys and navigation to major local destinations such as retail park, railway station, recreation and education centres and residential areas. In addition to the design AECOM supported Glasgow by completing Road Safety Audits on infrastructure designed and installed by Glasgow and in particular the route on University Avenue. The project outputs in East Renfrewshire permitted on site delivery with AECOM providing our expertise through site supervision of the lining and segregation installations.

The schemes aligned with many national and local strategic aims to prioritize sustainable transport, including cutting carbon emissions and other pollution, creating more pleasant communities, better physical and mental health, and safer travel for all.