Technical Notes 2023, Issue 51 - Allander Leisure Centre – Parking

1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide an update on the ongoing parking provision in and around the newly opened Allander Leisure Centre.  As Elected Members will be aware, the Centre is opening in two phases.  Phase 1 opened to the public on Monday, 6 March with Phase 2, which includes the completion of the full car parking provision timetabled for completion in Autumn 2023.  As part of the phasing of these works, a temporary overflow car park has been provided (as per Appendix 1).
    
2. Since the opening of Phase 1, the Council and the EDLCT have received a number of complaints from neighbouring residents in relation to inconsiderate parking by users of the new facility around neighbouring streets.
    
3. In response to these complaints, senior officers have reviewed the provision and arrangements and can advise the following:
    
4. Signage and other works.  The original temporary road signage directing drivers to the overflow car park from the Centre has now been replaced with permanent signage.  This enhances the directional signage from the Centre to the A81, along the A81 towards the overflow car park, and on the road leading to the parking area at Waitrose.
   
   Further signs are to be erected at other locations advising users of the presence of the overflow parking area.  Locations include on the roads leading to the Allander Leisure Centre overspill car park on Milngavie Road (north and southbound) and Glasgow Road from Auchenhowie Road leading to the Waitrose Roundabout.
   
   The overflow car park is now fully floodlit.  Handrails and lighting have now been installed along the pedestrian footpath leading from the A81 to the Centre, with remaining works to resurface the path currently ongoing, due to complete early April.  
    
5. Communications.  Since the Centre opened, the EDLCT has provided information to customers on parking arrangements through the Allander app, through social media channels and direct engagement with customers at reception.  In response to the continued inconsiderate parking, ongoing further messaging will continue through these channels and through the digital messaging screens in the Centre.  A map to show how to access the overspill carpark is also being produced.
    
6. Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).  During the review of the parking provision in the area since the opening of Phase 1 of the Centre, it has come to light that there is an unimplemented, approved TRO for the main route from the A81 to the new Centre which has completed all statutory stages.  This means that double yellow line restrictions could be lined and signed immediately and would be enforceable.  This TRO has been in place since 2015 as part of wider works associated with the Bearsway cycle path but never implemented.  At this stage, officers would not recommend implementing this restriction until Phase 2 of the Centre is open.  The reason for this is that it is highly likely to create further displacement of parking on to neighbouring side streets, which as detailed in paragraph 7 below cannot be controlled.
    
7. Potential further measures.  Officers have investigated what further measures would be appropriate to alleviate inconsiderate parking on side streets in the vicinity of the Centre.  In this regard, because the neighbouring streets are not adopted, the Council is unable to promote any enforceable restrictions nor paint any advisory markings within Alexander Grove, Rose Dene and Dalgleish Drive, as the roads in question are not public roads.
    
8. Next steps.  The EDLCT will continue to encourage staff and visitors to travel to the Centre via sustainable modes through targeted messaging in the Centre and on social media.  This messaging will continue to be supported by the Council’s Communications & Engagement Team.  If users need to drive, they will be encouraged to use the overflow parking.  Elected Members will be kept up to date as work progresses on Phase 2 through the capital programme updates reported to the Policy and Resources Committee each committee cycle.  

Appendix 1