Glasgow City Council aims to reduce private car traffic by 30% by 2030 under new plans

Glasgow City Council is aiming to have 80% of peak-time travel to the city centre made by active travel and public transport.

The target has been set for 2030, with delivery of improved public transport a key component in boosting numbers.

It is part of a new City Centre Transformation Plan (CCTP) that has been developed by the council.

By 2030, the council has set itself a target of achieving a 30% reduction in peak-hour private car traffic.

Population growth in the city centre is also part of the aims, with the council hoping to double the population living there by 2035.

And there is also an ambition for Glasgow to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Discussions have been taking place over the future of Glasgow city centre.

There are already plans to rebuild on the Buchanan Galleries and St Enoch’s Centre sites, while the council focuses on making the area more accessible for pedestrians.

A ‘people first zone’ has been suggested by the council where, it says, people would have priority over vehicles.

The zone would cover an area bounded by Hope Street, Cowcaddens Road, North Hanover Street, Glassford Street and Howard Street.

The council has stated that these plans would tie in with the proposals for Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre in ensuring that drivers can still access the multi-storey car parks that circle the city centre.

Within the zone, there would be crossing points to make sure that pedestrians have less distance and more time to cross the road in an environment that would be “quieter and cleaner”.

There are also plans to rebalance how street space is used in the city centre to allow for a growth in civic spaces, ‘pocket parks’, parklets and street cafes.

A consultation on the CCTP has now been laid out by the council, with people living in Glasgow urged to share their views.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken outlined the potential for Glasgow to become a “more attractive, liveable” space.

“We want our city centre to reach its true potential as a place where people want to live, work and visit,” she said.

“Cities all around the world are still coming to terms with the effects of online shopping and the shock of Covid.

“But cities everywhere are successfully transforming their centres to become more attractive, liveable spaces and Glasgow should be no different.

“We can move away from an area which is car-dominated to one that is healthier for all who use it and which will contribute to our active travel and net-zero targets.

“Much less traffic, but better connectivity, would deliver real benefits for city businesses, as well as residents and visitors.”

Aitken encouraged people to get involved in the consultation.

She added: “This is a chance for Glaswegians to imagine a centre that is focused on the needs of people and is environmentally-friendly.

“The city centre would become an urban heart people want to spend time in, rather than just pass through.

“I urge people to share their views through this consultation as that will help shape our plans for the future of our city centre.”