Have a say on next phase of the Bears Way

Date: 
Friday, 26 August, 2016

 

Public events will be held from next week aimed at helping to shape the future of the A81 Bears Way.

Public forums will be held on 1 and 7 September in Milngavie Town Hall to inform future work on the cycleway - which offers protected space for people of all ages to cycle in safety and comfort.

Phase 1 of the Bears Way - funded by delivery partners Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Sustrans - runs from Burnbrae roundabout to Hillfoot.

However, it will not be fully functional until all phases are complete - providing a traffic-free route from Milngavie to Glasgow.

The proposed Phase 2 will run from Hillfoot to Kessington and one of the goals is to address issues which have been identified through engagement to date.

Public forums will be held on:

  • Thursday 1 September, 6pm – 8pm in Milngavie Town Hall
  • Wednesday 7 September, 7pm – 9pm in Milngavie Town Hall

Three other 'drop-in' information events will be held in the Allander Leisure Centre to complement the public forums.

Please note these will be informal and a chance for the public to access information ahead of the public forums.

Drop-in information events will take place on:

  • Thursday 1 September, noon - 2pm
  • Saturday 3 September, 11am - 3pm
  • Wednesday 7 September, noon - 2pm

A Business Forum was held on 18 August and a Design Forum on Thursday 25 August - including invited stakeholders and representative groups.

Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of Development and Regeneration, said, "We look forward to hearing from as many people as possible at the events to help shape the next phase of the A81 Bears Way.

"Whether you're a local resident, cyclist, motorist, pedestrian or regularly use public transport - we want you to get involved and help ensure the project works for everyone.

"Please put the dates in your diary and come along. The public forums will include a presentation, followed by a question and answer session.

"The drop-in events are aimed at providing information rather than gathering views and suggestions - with the forums designed to capture feedback and help guide the way forward."

The Bears Way provides protected space for children and families to cycle. Even though it is only partially complete, there is an average of over 1,000 cycle trips a week (November 2015 – June 2016) with 24-hour automatic counters installed to monitor usage.

Phase 1 of the Bears Way was recently recognised for 'Achievements in Cycling' at the Scottish Transport Awards.

The Council’s Local Transport Strategy and Active Travel Strategy set out a range of actions aimed at encouraging cycling in East Dunbartonshire. Work supports the national vision of getting 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020.

If you have any ideas, comments or want to join the mailing list please e-mail cycling@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. For more information visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/cycling and www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/bearsway

 

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