Connecting Battlefield is transforming public space for active travel

The first phase of Connecting Battlefield has significantly improved public space and created a new, segregated cycle way on Queen's Drive which extends south onto Langside Road.

The cycle way, which is seeing around 900 daily users, provides easy access to key destinations such as Queen's Park and the New Victoria Hospital. The route also links to the South City Way at Victoria Road - offering people who cycle a direct, speedy path into the city centre.

Traffic signals now prioritise those walking, wheeling, and cycling in the area. Widened, resurfaced footways and step-free pedestrian crossings have enhanced accessibility, while upgraded street lighting now illuminates the area.

Local greenspaces have been improved with low-level planting, while the historic railings surrounding Queens Park on Langside Road have been refurbished, as have the lanterns which adorn the park entrance gate pillars. 

To highlight the significant progress made in active travel in Glasgow, Cllr Angus Millar, the City Convener for Transport and Climate, recently joined Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, along with active travel supporters from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Bike for Good, and the local community group South Seeds, to visit the first phase of the Connecting Battlefield project.

Councillor Angus Millar believes that the new route and improved public spaces will support more sustainable transport in the area. He said: "The success of the first phase of the Connecting Battlefield project shows that where we provide safe, segregated active travel infrastructure, more Glaswegians will make use of it. This project directly connects to the South City Way cycle route to the city centre and is a great example of how we are building up a connected network of routes that help people get about the city safely by bike and on foot. Encouraging more people to travel actively can create a cleaner, more cost-effective, and healthier transport network that makes the best use of our limited road space and operates efficiently for everyone. It is crucial that everyone has easy access to safer routes for active travel and I look forward to the project's second phase starting later this year which will deliver improvements in the Grange Road area."

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "I am pleased to see the extensive use of the first phase of Connecting Battlefield, which was funded through the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland's Active Travel Transformation Fund. The positive response to the new cycle way shows just how important active travel routes such as this one are to local communities across Scotland. Active travel routes like this one, enable more people to save money, live healthier lives and leave their car at home to reduce their emissions. To support the ambitions of Scotland's local authorities for more high-quality active travel infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options."

John Clelland is a Healthcare Support Worker with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and works shifts at New Victoria Hospital. He lives in the area and regularly uses the new active travel route to walk to work. John said: "I use the route almost every day either going to or from work, or to get to other parts of the local area. It's definitely an improvement and you can see it's being well used by people walking or cycling. I know a lot of people who work in the hospital who use it as part of their journey to get here, and it seems to be encouraging more people to walk or cycle to work. As a pedestrian it is good to see the improvements that have been made to prioritise the busy crossing for those of us on foot." 

Alberta Gutteridge, Head of Operations at the cycling charity Bike for Good said: "Having recently relocated to Glasgow from London, it has been such a delight to discover how easily I can navigate the City of Glasgow safely by bicycle. And working for Bike for Good, I have the privilege of seeing how being able to cycle with confidence can transform lives. Each additional phase of active travel routes widens the possibilities for increasing numbers of people to change their lives and improve the health of their local community."

Lucy Gillie, General Manager of community organisation South Seeds said: "South Seeds has transformed derelict changing rooms on the recreation ground into a community hub, and this segregated cycle route enables residents to travel to and from the site easily and safely by bike."

The first phase of Connecting Battlefield which was completed last November, was funded by Transport Scotland's Active Travel Transformation Fund.

Phase two - which will focus on Grange Road, Battlefield Rest junction and Battlefield Road at Mount Florida is currently at the detailed design stage, with construction expected to start in Autumn 2025.

Work on a City Network of active travel routes is currently underway across Glasgow with several phases of construction now complete as the city aims to add 270km of safe, segregated cycle ways to existing routes. Development of our Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, which will help make local communities more accessible for active travel and will link with the City Network, is also moving forward.

Safer infrastructure projects are currently under construction or in development throughout the city. Further details can be found by clicking on this link.

Further details:

Link to Connecting Battlefield active travel project Story Map.

Bike for Good is a charity and social enterprise which started in July 2010 in a small stall in Glasgow's Barras market. They now have two thriving Community Hubs in Glasgow and a team of 28 staff members and close to 100 volunteers who are changing thousands of lives through cycling. Bike for Good provides access to low cost, good quality bikes whilst
diverting tonnes of waste from landfill. They also offer a comprehensive programme of inclusive projects which promote, support and encourage greater levels of cycling and the skills and knowledge to keep your bike on the road. 

South Seeds is a community organisation based on Glasgow's Southside. They aim to work in partnership with residents and organisations within the local community to help improve the look and feel of the area. Their mission is to enable Southsiders to lead more sustainable lives.