Item 3 6Th February 2013

Item 3 6th February 2013

Glasgow City Council

Sustainability and the Environment Policy Development Committee 6 February 2013

Report by Executive Director of Land & Environmental Services

Contact: Alastair M Brown Ext: 76512

2014 CLYDE WALKWAY PILOT PROJECT (2014)

Purpose of Report:

To advise and gain the support of Committee for the ongoing work with regards to the 2014 CWPP including the Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report and Action Plan.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that Committee:

x notes the findings of the CWPP report and Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report and Action Plan. x supports the approach to be replicated along the walkway. x notes the proposal to incorporate the findings of the CWPP report in to supplementary planning guidance for the emerging Local Development Plan.

Ward No(s): Citywide: 9

Local member(s) advised: Yes No 9 consulted: Yes No 9 1. Background

1.1 Land and Environmental Services (LES) has been leading on the 2014 Clyde Walkway Pilot Project (2014 CWPP) since 2009.

1.2 The project was originally entitled “The Riverside Project” and was conceived by the Commonwealth Games Environment Sub Group which comprises of LES, DRS, Glasgow 2014 Ltd, Scottish Government, GCC 2014 Team, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Water and other local authorities. The project name was changed to the 2014 CWPP due to confusion with the work at the Riverside Museum.

1.3 The project was conceived after the planning application for the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village noted that it would not include the adjacent Clyde Walkway (approximately 1 mile from Dalmarnock Bridge to Core Path 102 (Appendix 3)). The Group felt that any potential problems and opportunities should be addressed through an appropriate project initiative.

1.4 The 2014 CWPP is a Commonwealth Games Greener legacy project for Glasgow City Council.

2. Project details 2010 - 2011

2.1 LES convened a meeting in April 2010 with key stakeholders (LES, DRS, Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network) to progress the project.

2.2 In July 2010, Glasgow City Council secured £65,000 from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund to deliver a Management Plan for the Clyde Walkway within the Glasgow City Council boundary.

2.3 URS/Scott Wilson Consultants were procured to develop:

x a detailed phase 1 habitat survey x a review of all current policies and plans in relation to the Clyde Walkway x a detailed Management plan for the entire walkway with a focus on 3 pilot management areas (see Appendix 1) o Polmadie Bridge to Cuningar Loop o Broomhouse to Carmyle o Govan to Pointhouse x a detailed Action Plan for improvements

3. Project Details 2011 - 2012

3.1 In July 2011, Glasgow City Council received funding to progress some actions from the Management Plan. This included £40,500 from the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Development Fund; £50,000 from DRS Greenspace and approximately £30,000 in-kind support from LES Parks Development programme. As this was a second consecutive year of funding from Central Scotland Green Network, it demonstrated the national importance of the project as a whole and the delivery of improvements to Clyde Walkway.

3.2 This funding was assigned to two actions areas – (1) Enhancement of Core Paths 101 and 102; and (2) a Feasibility study of the Westburn Viaduct.

Core Paths 101 and 102

3.3 The Core Paths run from London Road to the Clyde Walkway, and encompass the former Belvidere Hospital Site and Belvidere Bowling Club. They are key links from London Road to the river, but currently suffer from poor surfacing and limited information as to their purpose and destination. Due to the development adjacent to Core Path 102, upgrades could not take place to this path due to the developer being liable for some of the work.

3.4 The enhancement project involves surface improvements, verge cleaning and the overall appearance of each path made more welcoming. As an interim measure, temporary works to the paths were carried out and in October 2012, the permanent improvements were completed.

Westburn Viaduct – Carmyle

3.5 The Westburn Viaduct, a former railway bridge over the Clyde that has been closed for a number of years, has been highlighted in two recent studies, CWPP and the Baillieston & Shettleston Green Network Development Framework, as an area of tremendous potential to the development of a green link, connecting the two adjacent communities and the neighbouring authorities.

3.6 A programme of improvements has been initiated between Carmyle and the Westburn Viaduct. This includes creating a path, improving access to viewing points along the Clyde and installation of bespoke cycle gates and signage.

3.7 A feasibility study (Appendix 2) has been undertaken by Glasgow Community Safety Services (GCSS), on behalf of LES/DRS. This study looked into the potential for re-opening the Westburn Viaduct. Community and stakeholder engagement was undertaken resulting in an action plan for improvements being developed.

3.8 A Core Group has been established, involving LES, DRS, GCSS officers and key stakeholders such as Tollcross Housing Association to begin delivery of the action plan. One of the key outcomes of the feasibility study was to use the viaduct as a feature if it could not be re-opened. As a result, initial funding has been secured to look at a lighting strategy and this will include a community engagement lighting event to launch the action plan and enhance the viaduct. 4. Future Actions

4.1 LES (Environment and Sustainability) and DRS (Planning Service) will continue to lead on and implement the recommendations within the 2014 CWPP Action Plan, linking in and informing other projects and initiatives relating to the Clyde Walkway.

4.2 The City Council will incorporate the findings of the CWPP report in to supplementary planning guidance for the emerging Local Development Plan.

4.3 LES will lead on the delivery of the Westburn Viaduct Action Plan, in partnership with key stakeholders.

5. Service Implications

Economic Impact: None

Sustainability: The 2014 CWPP contributes to the Council’s sustainable agenda including: “Create a cleaner, safer city and a sustainable environment; improve health and well being; and sustain the environmental regeneration of Glasgow”

Financial: There will be financial implications for Services, however, the actions and work being carried out should be implemented as part of routine planned maintenance and upgrades by the Council. Depending on the work carried out, this could save money due to less maintenance required

Legal: None

Personnel: The work is a joint venture between DRS and LES

Sustainable Procurement and Article 19: Not applicable

6. Recommendations

It is recommended that Committee:

x notes the findings of the CWPP report and Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report and Action Plan.

x supports the approach to be replicated along the walkway.

x notes the proposal to incorporate the findings of the CWPP report in to supplementary planning guidance for the emerging Local Development Plan.