Technical Notes 2024, Issue 9 - A807 Active Travel Corridor – Project Update January 2024
Report by:
Heather Holland – Executive Officer – Land Planning & Development
TN Number:
009-24
Subject:
A807 Active Travel Corridor – Project Update January 2024
Responsible Officer:
Christopher McGeough, Sustainable Transport Officer, Traffic & Transport, Land Planning & Development
Publication:
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
Section
The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with an update on progress being made on the A807 Active Travel Corridor project.
The A807 Active Travel Corridor is a project which builds on a longstanding Council aspiration to improve connectivity for walking, cycling and wheeling between Milngavie and Torrance, with the majority of the connection located alongside the A807. This proposed link would provide improvements for active travel for all settlements along the route and provide benefits for connectivity and accessibility within communities. This is a committed Council project included within the Active Travel Strategy 2015-2020 and the Local Transport Strategy 2020-2025.
The Council’s strategies include a wider aspiration to have a loop route which connects all key settlements of East Dunbartonshire. This project provides an opportunity to create a key east-west connection as part of this wider loop route, with this section previously identified as being a missing link.
Supported by funding from Transport Scotland, the Council commissioned Sweco to undertake a feasibility study for the project which was completed in 2022 and identified potential options for providing a route adjacent to the existing road corridor. Building on this work, Sweco was recommissioned to move the project to the next stage, which has resulted in the completion of concept designs for all sections, stretching from Milngavie station to the Torrance roundabout. This phase of the project has been funded by Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
For the majority of the route, the concept designs propose to create a shared use path adjacent to the existing carriageway which would provide a safer, more attractive environment for people to walk, wheel or cycle. Width constraints exist in sections of the route; therefore, the concept designs propose to use areas of land not currently part of the road network and this will therefore require close working and potential negotiations with private landowners. It should be noted that as some proposals are on land not currently owned by the Council, that the concept designs are therefore subject to change.
In addition to the shared use path element, the concept designs also propose additional pedestrian crossings at various locations across the route, proposed changes to speed limits, reduced crossing distances at junctions to facilitate safer crossing environments and bus stop improvements.
The concept designs provide the Council with an opportunity to consult with key stakeholders, including members of the public, on the future direction of the project and a chance for the responses to shape plans prior to a detailed design phase. The concept designs allow conversations to begin with respective landowners, given parts of the proposed route goes through privately owned sections of land. Securing the necessary permissions relating to private land is a key dependency for the project. The Council will endeavour to begin these discussions prior to the public phase of the consultation. The consultation will provide an opportunity to identify the project risks, test early designs and showcase potential options for the project and allow local communities a chance to provide valuable feedback. It is anticipated that the public consultation will take place during February/March 2024.
Following a review of the consultation phase and completion of the concept design stage of the project, it would then be proposed that further external funding is secured to move to a detailed design stage, followed by a construction phase, which given the nature of the route, would be completed section by section. All phases of design and construction include requirements for assessments to be carried out which will include a series of ecological assessments, Equality Impact Assessment and Road Safety Audit. These assessments and other statutory requirements will help inform the design and construction process as the project develops.
Prior to the start of the public phase of the consultation, officers will arrange an Elected Member briefing session for relevant ward members and the Convener of the Transport Working Group. This session will allow officers to provide a summary of the concept design content and information on how local communities can take part.
Further information on progress being made on the project will be presented via future Technical Notes, HGIOS updates and reports to the Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee in due course.
