MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2025, Issue 172 - Bus Infrastructure Fund – A803/Balmuildy Road

    • Report by:

      Ann Davie, Chief Executive

    • TN Number:

      172-25

    • Subject:

      Bus Infrastructure Fund – A803/Balmuildy Road

    • Responsible Officer:

      Heather Holland, Chief Planning Officer Executive Officer - 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 out with the Council.

    Details:

    1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide an update on work that has started using Transport Scotland Bus Infrastructure Funding (BIF) on the A803 Route Corridor in Bishopbriggs.   
    2. BIF Tier 1 funding is being provided direct to Local Authorities as part of the General Capital Block Grant Allocation.  The fund must be used to develop, design and construct bus infrastructure to support the accessibility to bus services; the quality of bus infrastructure (including perceived safety); integration between bus and other modes of transport; and improve bus journey times and reliability.
    3. The A803 Corridor Improvements project, previously delivered through City Deal funding, set out proposals for sustainable transport improvements from Torrance Roundabout (north of Bishopbriggs) to Royston Road in Glasgow. 
    4. The project advanced through RIBA stages 1 and 2, however was deferred from the East Dunbartonshire City Deal project on affordability grounds, as alternative project elements were deemed more suitable for meeting the City Deal objectives.
    5. At August 2024 Council (report ref: EDC/019/24/DG) it was agreed to continue longer term delivery of improvements to the A803 Route Corridor, by utilising external funding sources and develop designs for the various project elements. The BIF provides an opportunity to advance the designs of one of the locations along the route, with a view to obtaining future funding for construction.
    6. Due to the funding requirements, it was necessary to identify a location where designs benefitted bus travel and bus users specifically.  On review of the A803 Sustainable Transport Corridor RIBA Stage 2 Concept Design Report, Balmuildy junction was identified as a location where design proposals would fit within the BIF criteria.
    7. Proposed improvements include signalisation of the junction to:
      1.  Reduce bus journey times by improving the Balmuildy Rd to A803 south movement for buses
      2. Provide safe, controlled crossing of the A803 and Balmuildy Road for all users (including those accessing nearby bus stops)
    8. Expert technical support is in the process of being procured to advance through RIBA Stages 3 and 4 of the designs.  Funding requirements stipulate that work must be completed by end of financial year 2025/26.
    9. Given public consultation was undertaken as part of the previous A803 design work, it is not the intention to undertake additional consultation on this, however at the end of RIBA Stage 3 the finalised design will be made public through normal media channels.  Improvements at this specific location were well received during previous consultation exercises.
    10. Officers and the appointed designers will engage with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and with bus operators during the design process.
    11. As per the funding requirements, Officers will be required to provide updates to Transport Scotland in October (mid-year) and April (end of year return) to provide evidence of progression and completion.
    12.  As designs are progressed through RIBA Stage 3 and 4, work will also be undertaken to try to identify and secure capital funding to undertake works at the junction. Subject to available funding, Officers will seek approval via the Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee for the implementation of any works

      Next steps

    13. Junction turning counts will be undertaken within Bishopbriggs Town Centre in early October to inform design progression.
    14. Officers will work with the appointed design team and engage with colleagues at SPT, bus operators and Transport Scotland to advance the design.
    15. Further updates on the RIBA Stage 3 and 4 design process will be provided in Technical Notes, and work will be undertaken to examine capital funding for the delivery stage.