Help guide ambitious plans for Bishopbriggs town centre
People are being given the chance to help shape the future of Bishopbriggs town centre as part of the Council’s £34.88 million City Deal project.
The Bishopbriggs Public Realm Plan is a key part of the Place and Growth Programme approved last year by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet.
The Programme – in conjunction with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Glasgow City Council – will see an integrated approach to improve infrastructure within East Dunbartonshire and the north of Glasgow, with three main elements:
- Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration
- A Masterplan for Westerhill and Delivery of Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road
- Improvements to the A803 Route Corridor.
The first element progressing to public consultation is Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration, with people and groups being offered the chance to engage between Monday 21 June and Sunday 15 August 2021. Visit the interactive webpage – www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/BishopbriggsCityDeal – to get involved.
For people without online access, paper copies of the consultation will be available to ‘Connect & Collect’ from Bishopbriggs Library. Call 0141 777 3155 to arrange: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-1pm.
There will also be a display in the BetterBriggs unit at the Triangle Shopping Centre in Bishopbriggs.
All responses and feedback will help the Council to develop a Public Realm Plan for the town centre’s streets and spaces, which will then go out to further consultation later this year.
The aim is to enhance Bishopbriggs town centre for residents, businesses and visitors – increasing footfall, boosting the economy and making it easier to get around by active travel.
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, said, “The ambitious £34.8 million Place and Growth Programme will enable regeneration investment through Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road, and improvements to the A803 route corridor and Bishopbriggs town centre. We have appointed a specialist team of designers to begin to look at opportunities to improve the town centre environment, but we need your help.
“This consultation offers people of all ages and backgrounds – and organisations – the chance to help shape future proposals for the area. If you live, are based or have an interest in Bishopbriggs, please get involved.”
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, added, “The new Public Realm Plan will aim to create a people-focused place which enhances the pedestrian experience, social interaction, the vitality of local shops and services, active travel, and access to surrounding neighbourhoods and greenspaces.
“We asked what you wanted to see in the town before, but the picture has changed with the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the inclusion of Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road. We want to know your thoughts, hopes and aspirations – it really will make a difference.”
The Scottish Government’s Community Wealth Minister, Tom Arthur, said, “I’m very pleased to see the people of Bishopbriggs being given an opportunity to have their say on the future of the town centre. I would encourage local residents and businesses to respond to the consultation and have their voices heard as part of this exciting regeneration project.
“The Scottish Government is contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The investment in this project through the Deal will contribute to the region’s economic recovery by creating jobs, and providing the commercial infrastructure to support and attract businesses to Glasgow and the surrounding areas. It also encourages active travel, supporting walking and cycling infrastructure in the area.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart added, “I encourage Bishopbriggs residents to have their say on the transformation of their town centre by participating in the public consultation.
“This exciting project will greatly enhance the area, making it easier to get about, and attracting new jobs and further investment. The UK Government is investing more than £1.5 billion into City and Growth Deal projects across Scotland, helping communities to build back better from the pandemic.”
People are being encouraged to spread the word among family, friends and neighbours. Get involved and answer questions via the interactive webpage – www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/BishopbriggsCityDeal – before 15 August 2021.
For more information on East Dunbartonshire’s City Deal Place and Growth Programme, visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/council-democracy/city-deal
Both the UK and Scottish Governments are providing the Glasgow City Region local authorities with £500 million each in grant funding for the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
The new Public Realm Plan aims to meet the vision and several of the key objectives of 2018 Bishopbriggs Town Centre Strategy.
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