Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report Report prepared by: Glasgow Community and Safety Services www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 2 Contents 1) Executive Summary Pages 3, 4, 5, 6 2) Objectives Page 7 3) Introduction Page 7 3a - Background Pages 8, 9 4) Methodology Pages 10, 11 5) Consultation Pages 12, 13, 14, 15 5a - Sustrans Page 16 5b - Stakeholder Consultations Page 17 5b1 - Antisocial Behaviour Page 17 5b2 - Maintenance Page 18 5b3 - Finance Page 18 5b4 - Flooding Page 18 5b6 - Safety Page 18 5b7 - Local Elected Members Page 18 5b8 - Strathclyde Police Page 18 5b9 - South Lanarkshire Council Page 19 5b10 - Glasgow Community and Safety Services Page 19 5c - Derry “Peace Bridge” consultation Visit Pages 20, 21 Linking with the National and Local vision Pages 22, 23 6) Findings Pages 24, 27 7) Conclusions Page 28 Recommendations Pages 29, 30 Timeline Page 31 8) Acknowledgements Page 32 www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 3 Executive Summary Glasgow City Council, Land and Environmental Services commissioned Glasgow Community & Safety Services to carry out a consultation and feasibility study with the communities and stakeholders within Carmyle and Westburn on both sides of the River Clyde. These communities are linked by a road bridge and the Westburn Viaduct which is currently closed. The bridge has previously been used as a crossing point by the general public, as the viaduct path is well worn. In order to prevent access, due to serious incidents of anti-social behaviour, the bridge fence has been spanned with heavy barbed wire. However, this barrier has been removed illegally at various times in the recent past by people wanting to use the bridge. Without access to the bridge it is not possible to appreciate the high quality landscape experience that the bridge offers. The viaduct carries northwards, and this route would be an ideal link that would form part of Glasgow’s Green and Active Travel Network The required aim of the work was to engage fully and by a variety of means with local communities and organisations that live, work or use recreationally the river Clyde area between the Carmyle and Westburn areas. To find out their views on the river area as it stands and to ascertain their requirements in order to use the area more. Glasgow City Council is committed to the promotion and further development of the city as an area that is sustainable, attractive, healthy, safe and encourages a positive image whilst inspiring and engaging with communities and visitors. This report draws out the findings of that process. It outlines the objectives for the use of the river area, gives the findings of the consultation process and how this informed the development of options and how to take things forward. This project could also link directly to the emerging Draft Glasgow Open Space Strategy (GOSS) and supports regeneration and the creation of a high quality environment that maintains the City’s appeal to investors, tourists and commercial activities and starts to improve the image of some of the more deprived areas. This action plan links directly to the emerging themes including: • Improving the quality of amenity space The Westburn Viaduct is currently a contested space, which has been historically and negatively heralded as the cause for gang fighting, antisocial behaviour and serious crime. This has further divided the communities of Carmyle and Westburn. Although the bridge as a structure is not the cause of these behaviours and subsequent outcomes, it does serve as a platform for negativity and is often vandalised and a meeting point for antisocial behaviour. www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 4 Executive Summary Residents within the Carmyle area also expressed a desire for the surroundings of the viaduct infrastructure be enhanced to promote and increase activity along the river area. It was felt that the more these activities could be linked to the river area itself the better. Suggestions included: • Official nature trails • Benches/rest stops/picnic areas • Orienteering markers • Fishing clubs • School pupils involved in river clean ups and nature education Some community members felt that the viaduct/bridge itself should be recognised as a part of the community; and although there was a consensus that this should not be upgraded for pedestrian access, they did feel that it could be made safe and lit up as a landmark feature of the area. They wanted a negative feature made positive but felt that opening it would lead to more negative behaviour. One of the most common themes worth noting was the wish for the residents of Carmyle to access the Morrison’s supermarket by foot. At present they feel the lack of lighting and overgrown trees are adding to the fear of crime on this particular route. Schools and the youth population were thought to be the key to addressing longstanding issues between the bordering communities. A suggestion to twin primary schools in both communities was suggested by residents and could be considered as a positive way to improve relations between the two communities. This opinion was mirrored by the stakeholder group and the local elected members in both local authority areas. The overarching theme throughout the consultation was the need to involve the community in every step of the process including planning and design. www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 5 Executive Summary Stakeholders The Stakeholder’s consultation mirrored that of the wider communities views and took a more solution focused approach suggesting that sub groups be formed to look at the actions at both a strategic and operational level Key recommendations from both the community and stakeholders can be categorised into themes which include: •Maintenance •Safety •Capacity building •Antisocial behaviour •Funding •Activity •Lighting Picture by Hailey from Carmyle Primary School www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 6 Executive Summary - Recommendations As a result of the study some recommendations have been made including the formation of sub/action groups to take the key finding forward. Including: Theme Actions Stakeholders Funding Present study recommendations and DRS, LES, Seamus Connolly findings to North East Open Spaces Chris Dalrymple group Seek funding for capacity building DRS, LES, Seamus Connolly and community projects as well as Chris Dalrymple physical environment. Maintenance Present findings and DRS, LES, Seamus Connolly recommendations to Local Chris Dalrymple Operational working groups (LOWG) Cutting back overgrown foliage, keep LOWG, David McGoldrick river banks clear Antisocial behaviour Form an action group to specifically Strathclyde Police, GCSS, address ASB in relation to Westburn Local Housing Associations Viaduct Explore possibility and costing of CCTV Safety Recommendations and findings to be Chris Dalrymple present to the water safety working group Develop a lesson plan for schools on Water safety Working Group water safety and use of the river Explore flood alleviation measures Lighting look at the city lighting strategy DRS City Design section, LES, GCSS, in relation to improve image of Strathclyde Police. Westburn Viaduct/ river area and improve safety Capacity Building Design/ photography project in Commissioned artist/ art/ conjunction with local people. architecture students/practices DRS Seamus Connolly Twin schools from Glasgow and GCSS, Education, Glasgow Life, South Lanarkshire. Activity Form an area activity sub group Mid Clyde Angling Association, Sustrans, Glasgow Life, local clubs, GCSS Promote & sell fishing permits locally Mid Clyde Angling Association- Kemp Meikle Encourage local community members Mid Clyde Angling Association- to fish the area Kemp Meikle Community Cycle events Activity Sub Group Improved signs for route 75 on Activity Sub Group Glasgow river side. www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 7 Objectives The Key Objectives of the community consultation are: • Engage fully with the communities and organisations and interested parties by a variety of means. • Present Findings for consideration as part of ongoing or future planned developments to Glasgow City Council. 3 Introduction In September 2011, Glasgow City Council, Land and Environmental Services commissioned Glasgow Community & Safety Services to carry out a consultation and feasibility study with the communities and stakeholders within Carmyle and Westburn on both sides of the River Clyde. These communities are linked by a road bridge and the Westburn Viaduct which is currently closed. www.saferglasgow.com ©Glasgow Community and Safety Services 2012 Westburn Viaduct Feasibility Study Report 8 3 Introduction 3a Background be possible to temporarily utilise the structure as part of the green and active travel network. Using the Commonwealth Games as a driver for Changes that are proposed for the longer term include environmental improvements along the Clyde Walkway, the Community Growth Area (CGA). This development Glasgow City Council secured Central Scotland Green will transform the character of the area both to the North Network Development (CSGN)