Bishopbriggs resident in plea to council to make pavements wider to social distance

Local mum of two, Julie Cunningham, wants East Dunbartonshire Council to make use of funding being offered to encourage people to return to Bishopbriggs Town Centre safely.

The Scottish Government, which is keen to encourage social distancing to halt the spread of Covid-19, wants communities to feel safer as they walk or cycle during lockdown.

Julie said: “The funding does not need to be matched by local authorities, who may not have the budget available to create safer spaces on high streets or along fast roads.

“Active Travel charity 
Sustrans will be administering the fund.”

Julie contacted the Herald after noticing the lack of space on popular sections of Kirkintilloch Road, particularly outside restaurants and essential premises such as Bank of Scotland and the pharmacy

She said: “If we want to help encourage people to socially distance themselves from others but still support local businesses as lockdown restrictions are slowly lifted – the lack of space on pavements on Kirkintilloch Road will mean people have the choice of either getting too close to other people or stepping out onto what is still a fast road.

“The volume of traffic is still going to be far lower than usual, so coning off inside lanes would not impact on people making essential journeys but would greatly increase the space in front of the shops. This will reassure people they can maintain social distancing – something that may well be with us for many months to come.”

She added: “There now remains little time to put measures in place to tackle the problem of pavement congestion and public safety.

John Lauder, deputy CEO at Sustrans Scotland, said it was clear people wanted to do the right thing during the Covid-19 crisis and the Spaces for People programme allowed them to make sure they kept to physical distancing guide.

In an article in the Herald last week, local Green MSP Ross Greer also urged the council to to use the fund.

He said: “It’s vital the council makes use of this important support as quickly as possible, looking at where pavements can be widened or popup cycle routes can be installed, to ensure as many people as possible can travel by foot or by bike safely, and that social distancing can take place.”

Joint council leaders Andrew Polson and Vaughan Moody told the Herald last week the council was “exploring potential opportunities.”