Plan To 'de-Pedestrianise' Paisley

[barney]

All of the above.

Bring the Costa Clyde closer to the town centre.

To not have apartments along the river is a missed opportunity.

We should consider how close, distance wise, we are to the universities in Glasgow.

Rents in Glasgow's west end and city centre are high.

I know it will never happen, but if there was a direct rail link into Glasgow that crossed the Clyde and travelled along the north side of the river and ran through Partick it would boost Paisley as a satellite town.

getting train lines in scotland is an impossible task unless you are from edinburgh. regardless of the hot air coming from holyrood, it's still roads, roads, roads. It's a national disgrace that there is no train link to glasgow airport. separate rant, but a rant nonetheless.

[Reynard]

What was the buisness case for pedestrianising it in the first place?

I'm not going to write/quote a planning essay on the value of opening up access to the high street, but do a quick count work out the occupancy rate on Causwayside and on the top of the high street, bridge street and compare it to that on the pedestrainised Moss street and high street.

do the maths...... yir sel ya lazy bazzer.

There was none. Most of this was rolled out in the late eighties and early nineties and it was as a result of central planning being foisted on local councils. There isn't a significant town anywhere in the entire UK that it didn't hit.

At that time, the thought proess was that our of town purpose built shopping centres would be beneficial for traders and convenient for car owners (not much doubt about that) and that town centres could then become nicer places to spend time without cars all over the place. We could introduce the continntal cafe culture to the strees of Airdrie and Paisley etc. This is the bit that didn't really work out.

Internet shopping has effectively culled many a small business now so there is now a definite lack of demand for retail space, we see that in empty shop units all across the countries High Streets, many of them in former prime retail spots. Things are changing, shopping habits are changing. We will probably see a lot of the former shopping areas turned over to housing developments over the next decade or so, we need to encourage people to go and live in these areas or they will simply rot away.

[insaintee]

getting train lines in scotland is an impossible task unless you are from edinburgh. regardless of the hot air coming from holyrood, it's still roads, roads, roads. It's a national disgrace that there is no train link to glasgow airport. separate rant, but a rant nonetheless.

Indeed or continuing the Canal st line to RAH, Phonex, Linwood BOW/ Huston

[insaintee]

There was none. Most of this was rolled out in the late eighties and early nineties and it was as a result of central planning being foisted on local councils. There isn't a significant town anywhere in the entire UK that it didn't hit.

At that time, the thought proess was that our of town purpose built shopping centres would be beneficial for traders and convenient for car owners (not much doubt about that) and that town centres could then become nicer places to spend time without cars all over the place. We could introduce the continntal cafe culture to the strees of Airdrie and Paisley etc. This is the bit that didn't really work out.

Internet shopping has effectively culled many a small business now so there is now a definite lack of demand for retail space, we see that in empty shop units all across the countries High Streets, many of them in former prime retail spots. Things are changing, shopping habits are changing. We will probably see a lot of the former shopping areas turned over to housing developments over the next decade or so, we need to encourage people to go and live in these areas or they will simply rot away.

I think there has been a bit of change and cafe culture has hit the streets of paisely a bit. But you need to have a better reason to come into paisley then just a scrambled egg bagal and wander round the charity shops. And it needs to be easier to do it. Mrs Insantee is very fit (in all senses of the word (that'd just incase she's lurking on here) but if I don't park the car in the space right next to the door at Morrison's she gives me an earful.

[oaksoft]

getting train lines in scotland is an impossible task unless you are from edinburgh. regardless of the hot air coming from holyrood, it's still roads, roads, roads. It's a national disgrace that there is no train link to glasgow airport. separate rant, but a rant nonetheless.

Where is the train station at Edinburgh airport?

Where is the extensive underground in Edinburgh?

It's cool to have a whinge but at least get your facts right or keep your west coast bile to yourself.

Edited March 7, 2013 by oaksoft

[FTOF]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21699995

It looks like Aberdeen city centre (Union Street) is experiencing similar problems.

Interesting to note that one of the improvement points is to partly pedestrianise Union Street.

[David Mc]

There was none. Most of this was rolled out in the late eighties and early nineties and it was as a result of central planning being foisted on local councils. There isn't a significant town anywhere in the entire UK that it didn't hit.

At that time, the thought proess was that our of town purpose built shopping centres would be beneficial for traders and convenient for car owners (not much doubt about that) and that town centres could then become nicer places to spend time without cars all over the place. We could introduce the continntal cafe culture to the strees of Airdrie and Paisley etc. This is the bit that didn't really work out.

Internet shopping has effectively culled many a small business now so there is now a definite lack of demand for retail space, we see that in empty shop units all across the countries High Streets, many of them in former prime retail spots. Things are changing, shopping habits are changing. We will probably see a lot of the former shopping areas turned over to housing developments over the next decade or so, we need to encourage people to go and live in these areas or they will simply rot away.

Nail on head really.

[barney]

Where is the train station at Edinburgh airport?

Where is the extensive underground in Edinburgh?

It's cool to have a whinge but at least get your facts right or keep your west coast bile to yourself.

1. there is a rail station opening shortly at edinburgh airport.

2. glasgow's underground has existed for well over 100 years and links a small part of of the city.

3. Bile? A bit sensitive, eh?

[Seaside Nipper]

getting train lines in scotland is an impossible task unless you are from edinburgh. regardless of the hot air coming from holyrood, it's still roads, roads, roads. It's a national disgrace that there is no train link to glasgow airport. separate rant, but a rant nonetheless.

Entirely agree............the Glasgow rail link was pulled to fund the ever burgeoning over spend on the latest re baselined dinky vanity project for Edinburgh.

On topic, our compliance with our Euro quotas on air quality are going to take a dunt, all that idling traffic , but heh we have a winner........................at least taxi driving tipping potential could be on the up , local fares anyway

[HSS]

Entirely agree............the Glasgow rail link was pulled to fund the ever burgeoning over spend on the latest re baselined dinky vanity project for Edinburgh.

It's certainly been pulled as a going concern but due to the crazy way contracts are tendered it's still being built anyway.

[Eddy]

Entirely agree............the Glasgow rail link was pulled to fund the ever burgeoning over spend on the latest re baselined dinky vanity project for Edinburgh.

On topic, our compliance with our Euro quotas on air quality are going to take a dunt, all that idling traffic , but heh we have a winner........................at least taxi driving tipping potential could be on the up , local fares anyway

I try to think in the Glasgow Airport Link as more 'shelved' than cancelled - all the signalling works were completed earlier this year as part of the Paisley Corridor works, including putting in an extra line from Glasgow Central to Paisley. Its only the wee bit at the end that's needed (granted that's the important bit, but in terms of budget a large part of the infrastructure is already commissioned).

[Seaside Nipper]

I try to think in the Glasgow Airport Link as more 'shelved' than cancelled - all the signalling works were completed earlier this year as part of the Paisley Corridor works, including putting in an extra line from Glasgow Central to Paisley. Its only the wee bit at the end that's needed (granted that's the important bit, but in terms of budget a large part of the infrastructure is already commissioned).

Agree.Sheer madness though.................It would as said above, cost more in terminal penalty so might as well build some infrastructure irrespective of a future contingency and plan. But as regards an integrated link , acorss or erm roundabout St James into the Airport , don't see that happening ...............................at all , ever ! Shame that , but again , the reasoning is because if such a link did exist , guess where passenger numbers would fall from aye............

[insaintee]

There is no doubt that when BAA owned both Airports they started stuffing slots into Edinburgh at Glasgow's expense, Now they are in separate ownership hopefully that trend will reverse. And also the attitude of Glasgow airport owners to the link become a bit more positiive. FFS just imagine if Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Schipool had no rail link. To describle it as loony does not go far enough.

[civilsaint]

I try to think in the Glasgow Airport Link as more 'shelved' than cancelled - all the signalling works were completed earlier this year as part of the Paisley Corridor works, including putting in an extra line from Glasgow Central to Paisley. Its only the wee bit at the end that's needed (granted that's the important bit, but in terms of budget a large part of the infrastructure is already commissioned).

Given that the land, previously compulsory purchased, for the link route is being sold, the DNP have done their very best to make sure the link is cancelled. Disgraceful.

[FTOF]

I see the pedestrianisation has been given the go ahead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21773923

[civilsaint]

That disgusts me. The people of paisley, through a consultation, rejected this broad proposal 3 years ago. There has not been another consultation. This proposal does NOT have the support of the people of Paisley.

It appears Mark McMillan and his colleagues are no better than the previous mob. This "lets just try something different and see what happens" is absurd, it is irresponsible.

[HSS]

Reading the link it looks like it'll be 1 way from New St down to St Mirren St.

I'm sure this will make a huge difference to the Town!!

[civilsaint]

Council Report on the proposal:-

http://ilwwcm.renfrewshire.gov.uk/WebReplicas/agendar.nsf/dd972e64c4d0feec802570d70059f348/65350F88D8682F9E80257B2500414575/$file/130312%20-%20PP%20-%20Paisley%20Pedestrianised%20Areas,%20Evening%20Opening.pdf

Map:

http://ilwwcm.renfrewshire.gov.uk/WebReplicas/agendar.nsf/dd972e64c4d0feec802570d70059f348/F69DEC817D1EB0C880257B250046603D/$file/Paisley%20Pedestrianised%20Areas,%20Evening%20Opening_Appendix.pdf

Having read that report I'm even more appaulled and disturbed than before. It appears they don't actually plan to carry out any upgrading of the streetscape, it doesn't look like they plan to drop the kerbs. Other than the St Mirren Brae junction it looks like they are pretty much just going to open it to vehiccles in its current state.

What's more, they report:-

"Risk Implications - None"

"Health & Safety implications - None"

"Financial implications - met within existing approved budgets" [No detailed analysis provided]

If any supporting councillors are reading, come and justify your decision.

If the Director of Transport & Planning is reading, please come and explain your less than substantial report.

Edited March 13, 2013 by civilsaint

[RossTheBoss]

That disgusts me. The people of paisley, through a consultation, rejected this broad proposal 3 years ago. There has not been another consultation. This proposal does NOT have the support of the people of Paisley.

It appears Mark McMillan and his colleagues are no better than the previous mob. This "lets just try something different and see what happens" is absurd, it is irresponsible.

To be fair it says new measures will take place after a public consultation. Whether they take heed of such consultation is, of course, another matter.

[civilsaint]

To be fair

I'm being more than fair. Read the report, it is very, very thin on substance. That report should not be the basis on which to make such a decision. Take another example, "Existing traffic calming combined with street scape will deter vehicles from travelling above a very low speed". Firstly, what do they define as "a very low speed"? 5mph or 25pmh or 30mph? Then consider the "existing taffic calming" which consists of no speed bumps on the High Street and one speed bump on Gilmour Street. Not exactly much in order to prevent cars from travelling "above a very low speed", wouldn't you agree?. Has a full risk assessment been carried out? The lack of dropped kerbs and little deliniation is rather concerning without a major upgrading of the streetscape. That document makes no mention of any major works.

Edited March 13, 2013 by civilsaint

[HSS]

Will Gilmour St be open to traffic too?

[insaintee]

Regarding the airport link, the old branch line up to Renfrew is all pretty much still vacant land and although this would mean that

1 trains wont stop at Gilmour street and 2 they would need to build a new rail bridge over the cart, I've always thought this a more sensible route then looping round the St James interchange.

Feck me they could even build a light rail that terminates at gilmour street.

[barney]

There's something more sinister to the route of this i'm sure. The routes from glasgow city centre to the airport involve existing rail and lots of "dead ground" where it should be easy to construct a route without much disruption. Edinburgh was given the ok to dig up main arteries in the city centre at a massive expense to the tax payer so they could have a rail link to the airport.

Could it be that Holyrood are east coast centric??

[barney]

this is an interesting programme for those interested in the changing face of paisley

[insaintee]

For many years there's been a gravy train going down to london. Inspite of all the shite spoken about the SE being some private enterprise mecca driving the rest or the UK economy there are more public sector employees there than in the rest of the UK put together. And until recently they would be getting London weighting. Building the parliment in Edinburgh has unhitched a few of these carridges and sent them north. But they have not got out of the Edinburgh sidings.

Edited March 14, 2013 by insaintee