Public Transport Provision (PTP) in Support of Glasgow's LEZ

A funding boost from the Scottish Government has seen investment in projects that support Glasgow's Low Emission Zone - a key initiative introduced in 2018 to protect public health by reducing levels of air pollution from road traffic.

The grant award of £1.15m which was approved for acceptance by the council in January 2020, has funded or enhanced a variety of initiatives that promote and support sustainable transport uptake across our city, as well as reducing congestion.

Co-wheels Car Club Glasgow

Just one of the projects that has benefitted from the Public Transport Provision funding is Co-wheels Car Club Glasgow which currently has over 2,000 members. The popular, pay-as-you-go car hire scheme, offers a range of vehicle types, available to book for as little as one hour. Vehicles are conveniently located in reserved on-street parking bays across the city and are available to hire on a 24/7 basis.

Funding has enabled the council to replace eight Co-wheels Car Club Glasgow vehicles within the city centre LEZ zone with zero emission alternatives, ensuring that all car club locations within the LEZ are fully electric.

Additional EV Charging Points

To support the extra fully electric vehicles available to hire, the grant award has also funded the installation of dual sided EV charging equipment. This will directly increase the number of charging points available to the public, by offering recharging capability from the parking bay adjacent to the one reserved for car club electric vehicles. These bays can be found on:

1. North Frederick St
2. Rose St
3. Blythswood Square
4. Bothwell St
5. Bell St
6. Wilson St
7. Ingram St
8. Cochrane St
9. West Campbell St
10. Holland St

Expansion of the nextbike Hire Scheme

Other projects that have been taken forward include the development and expansion of the nextbike cycle hire scheme at six new locations:

• Carrick Quay
• Broomielaw (west)
• King Street
• Garscube rd (Round Toll)
• Bath Street
• Glasgow Central Station (west)

These new hire locations complement existing provision in the city and aim to increase the availability of cycle hire and reduce the distance any users would have to travel by foot to reach a hire point or their final destination.

Improved Traffic Signal Infrastructure

Hurlet Cross and Bearsden Road at Ilay Avenue were both upgraded to allow the junctions to run MOVA control, an adaptive traffic control system which reduces congestion and subsequently pollution. These works commenced in January 2020 and included the total refurbishment of the junctions including poles, lanterns and controllers. MOVA loops were installed which allow the junctions to run on MOVA control and other modes of control, SCOOT and vehicle actuated if required. The works were completed by the end of March 2020.

Prioritising Sustainable Transport

Cllr Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction said "This Scottish Government funding which will be used across a variety of projects, will help us to further promote and support sustainable transport uptake across our city, as well as reducing congestion.

"Increased numbers of zero emission vehicles available to hire, combined with the installation of extra publically accessible EV charging points, will make a vital contribution towards our commitment to prioritise sustainable transport in Glasgow."

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: "I'm pleased we can offer this additional funding to Glasgow City Council to support cleaner transport options in the city. Low Emission Zones protect public health by improving air quality. By funding the replacement of conventional car sharing vehicles with zero-emission electric vehicles, we will directly support the objective of Glasgow's Low Emission Zone and help respond to the climate emergency."