Glasgow clyde cycle tunnel upgrade

[Joseph]

Not sure where's the best place to post this, but I think there's a few Glasgow commuters around here.

FYI, the south bound cycle/pedestrian tunnel is now closed. Presumably this is for the upgrade work (surface repairs, secure entry system).

It's not clear exactly what you're meant to do - I cycled through the northbound tunnel instead, but much slower than usual (and a pretty weird experience, as all the corners are the 'wrong' way around for anyone accustomed to going in the correct tunnels!).

I've emailed the council asking for more details... will report back if I hear anything

Joseph

 

[magnatom]

Joseph (are you the Joseph who live across the road from me?),

This is the perfect place, as I know exactly what is going on!

The council got some money this year to upgrade one side of the tunnel. So they have closed the southbound tunnel and will be upgrading it over the next 5 week. As part of this they are putting in a door entry system, which when you arrive at the tunnel, you will have to press a call button, before being allowed in. It will also have CCTV.

After the 5 weeks of work, the south tunnel will reopen and the north will close indefinitely as they don't 'currently' have enough funding to upgrade this side.

I have issues with this work:

1) It isn't particularly safe to have traffic in two directions in these tunnels due to the lack of space. I think it will only be a matter of time before there is an accident in one of the curved sections involving a collision of cyclists going in opposite directions.

2) The security system will slow down progress. Fair enough if it really does increase security, however, it actually creates a problem at the entrances. Both entrances have ground above where people hang about. Being held up at the entrance might just make cyclists a target at that point.

3) Once the Southbound tunnel is reopened, I am certain that the Northbound tunnel will be abandoned and we will be left with a facility that will be secure (perhaps) but will be substandard in it's safety (i.e. risk of collision).

However, this is going to happen. I will be interested to see how it actually works....

 

[magnatom]

P.S. Here is a video of the northbound tunnel. Notice the blind corners and lack of width. There will be accidents, I'm sure!

 

[Mr Pig]

The security system will slow down progress.

Not just that but it will remain in fully working order for about three hours! After the local cherubs have had a play with it you're going to be locked out of the tunnel every other day.

 

[Joseph]

Joseph (are you the Joseph who live across the road from me?),

Yep Thanks for the pointer to this site!

2) The security system will slow down progress. Fair enough if it really does increase security, however, it actually creates a problem at the entrances. Both entrances have ground above where people hang about. Being held up at the entrance might just make cyclists a target at that point.

A few months ago they were saying they'd be issueing 'key fobs' or 'swipe cards' for regular users; not sure if this is still the case or not.

3) Once the Southbound tunnel is reopened, I am certain that the Northbound tunnel will be abandoned and we will be left with a facility that will be secure (perhaps) but will be substandard in it's safety (i.e. risk of collision).

Yeah, doesn't sound good. I'm not sure what other option they have without any money

 

[magnatom]

Not just that but it will remain in fully working order for about three hours! After the local cherubs have had a play with it you're going to be locked out of the tunnel every other day.

Maybe, but I am reliably informed that they have learned lessons from the past, and that the new system will be vandal proof. Hmmm. I wonder if the designers took into account the focus and ingenuity of the Glasgow ned....

 

[magnatom]

Yep Thanks for the pointer to this site!

Welcome to the forum!

Have a look here (page 17 onwards). We are organising a wee bike ride on the 21st of December. Would you be up for it? It would be a good way to meet you neighbour!

I hadn't heard about the key fob thing. If that is the case that would help, but how do you register as a regular user? If you hear from the council, let us know!

I've always though a tunnel users group might be a good idea.....

 

[Mr Pig]

Maybe, but I am reliably informed that they have learned lessons from the past, and that the new system will be vandal proof.

Nothing is vandal proof.

 

[Joseph]

Welcome to the forum!

Have a look here (page 17 onwards). We are organising a wee bike ride on the 21st of December. Would you be up for it? It would be a good way to meet you neighbour!

Unfortunately we're away that weekend I'll try to make the next one.

I hadn't heard about the key fob thing. If that is the case that would help, but how do you register as a regular user? If you hear from the council, let us know!

Will do. I'm guessing registration will probably mostly involve paying for the fob, similar schemes are usually £5-£10 to buy it.

I've always though a tunnel users group might be a good idea.....

I'm sure it'd help - it did get neglected for a long time...

 

[Joseph]

Didn't get a reply myself, but one of my colleagues did get some extra info:

"On your question I can advise that we are installing a robust secure entry system in the southbound pedestrian/cycle tunnel. This is hopefully the first phase of the project which will hopefully move onto the northbound tunnel as well. Funding is still being sought for the next stage. The total project will cost getting on for £250,000. The southbound tunnel will be complete in mid January.

The system will allow access to the cycle tunnel to bona fide users and deny access to those who want to use it as a location for anti-social behaviour. This I hope will make the use of the tunnel a much improved and undaunting experience which I also hope will encourage increased usage by cyclists and pedestrians.

We have not finalised our interim operational plans for the situation where only one tunnel has access control but it is likely to be the case that cyclists wishing to travel north across the river will still be able to use the unimproved northbound tunnel or dismount and walk through the secured southbound tunnel. Southbound cyclists will be able to cycle southbound. Pedestrians are able to use either tunnel in either direction as at present."

 

[magnatom]

Thanks for that Joseph. I can really see cyclists dismounting and walking through the tunnel! (Actually I've seen a few who have had to dismount on the way up!). I'd be happier if they keep the unimproved tunnel open, although the idiots will probably congregate there...

You weren't earlier this morning where you Jospeh? I came across a numpty cyclist this morning . A video will follow shortly!

We really need to meet up over a beer sometime!

 

[Joseph]

Thanks for that Joseph. I can really see cyclists dismounting and walking through the tunnel! (Actually I've seen a few who have had to dismount on the way up!).

Yep - oddly it always seems to be the ones with mountain bikes that dismount...

It'll be interesting to see what happens...

I'd be happier if they keep the unimproved tunnel open, although the idiots will probably congregate there...

I did see two coppers down their earlier in the week telling some neds to go off home... and had to resist cycling over a drunk ned lying stretched across the cycle path yesterday

You weren't earlier this morning where you Jospeh? I came across a numpty cyclist this morning . A video will follow shortly!

No... this morning I was later than usual

We really need to meet up over a beer sometime!

I'll try and drop you a note once I've figured out my post-xmas plans, that's probably a good time...

 

[magnatom]

Can't you two just talk over the fence?

Not quite, there is a play park and some car parking spaces between us. The internet is much more efficient!

 

[Mr Pig]

what I don't understand is this. Some Johnny two-stars will be sitting in a control room somewhere, India probably, watching his little monitor with his finger hovering over the button that opens the gate.

Cyclist comes along, says hello and is allowed into the tunnel. Couple of grave-dodgers come strolling along and are likewise allowed into the tunnel. Two young urban heroes walk up, what's Johnny going to do now?

Will all young people be unable to use the tunnel? Is Johnny going to make judgement calls as to whether people want to walk through the tunnel or loiter in it? I'm not sure they've thought this through.

 

[magnatom]

what I don't understand is this. Some Johnny two-stars will be sitting in a control room somewhere, India probably, watching his little monitor with his finger hovering over the button that opens the gate.

Cyclist comes along, says hello and is allowed into the tunnel. Couple of grave-dodgers come strolling along and are likewise allowed into the tunnel. Two young urban heroes walk up, what's Johnny going to do now?

Will all young people be unable to use the tunnel? Is Johnny going to make judgement calls as to whether people want to walk through the tunnel or loiter in it? I'm not sure they've thought this through.

Good point. I suppose it is supposed to work as more of a deterrent because you need to show your face on CCTV to get into the tunnel. So if anything happens, they have your face on camera.

Actually, you've got me worried now. Will they let me in when I am hot sweaty and breathing heavily!