Funding boost to develop Eastern Springburn active travel route
A project to reduce flood risk and boost active travel in Springburn will be enhanced by an £89,500 award from the Places for Everyone programme to fund the design of a complementary active travel route.
A new east-west link connecting Red Road with Broomfield Road would encourage more walking, wheeling, and cycling in the area, and reactivate underused open space south of Petershill Drive.
Places for Everyone is an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans.
The proposed route would augment the environmental benefits to be delivered by an upcoming Glasgow City Deal project south of the Red Road Transitional Regeneration Area that will better manage rainwater in Eastern Springburn.
Glasgow City Council led work to introduce sustainable drainage measures that mimic how rainwater is managed naturally will start next Spring. Features such as raingardens and a wetland will work to capture excess surface water during heavy rainfall and then slowly release it into the sewer system to minimise the chance of flooding.
Greenspace improvements also form part of the plan, including creative landscape features to encourage recreation and play.
New green infrastructure that would see the introduction of a wildlife corridor between the new wetland and existing natural wetlands as part of the project, is also expected to improve biodiversity and provide an attractive focal point for visitors.
Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet said: “This project will tackle the long-standing drainage issues that have been a barrier to development in this part of Springburn. But it will also deliver fantastic greenspace improvements that will increase the utility and attractiveness of this underused space.
“The Places for Everyone funding adds more value by progressing the development of an active travel route that will better connect neighbourhoods across Springburn and help improve the health and wellbeing of residents by encouraging outdoor activity and reducing car journeys.”
Emily Gait, Grant Manager at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We’re excited to be working with Glasgow City Council and the communities to the east and west of the Red Road Transformational Regeneration Area to help deliver an active travel route that is safe and accessible for everyone. The funding awarded for this project will help make everyday walking, wheeling, and cycling journeys a reality, as well as improving local biodiversity and greenspaces.”
The completion of a detailed design for the active travel route is expected by the end of summer, with future construction subject to funding availability.
Glasgow City Deal is behind the project in Eastern Springburn to alleviate flood risk which is being delivered through the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP). Both the UK and Scottish Governments are providing the Glasgow City Region local authorities with £500million each in grant funding for the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Funded by the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans Scotland, Places for Everyone seeks to create safe, attractive, healthier places by increasing the number of trips made by walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys.
