New name for Glasgow's multi-million pound active travel project

After extensive community consultation - and help from local school pupils - the city council and Sustrans Scotland are delighted to announce the rebranding of Woodside Mini Holland active travel project as 'Connecting Woodside'.

The project, a winner of Sustrans Scotland's 2017 Community Links PLUS (CLPLUS) design competition, will deliver world-class walking and cycling infrastructure throughout the Woodside community. Through its area-based approach, benefits to the community will include improved health, wellbeing and an enhanced environment.

Pupils at St Joseph's Primary School in Woodside contributed to the rebranding through submitting creative name suggestions which assisted in shaping the brand of Connecting Woodside.

The new identity reflects the aims of the project which is to connect Woodside to the wider city for sustainable travel as well as the Woodside community. This will be achieved through implementing an area-based approach to improve walking, cycling and public space.

Sustrans Scotland Head of Project Delivery, Infrastructure, Matthew Macdonald said: "The new project name, Connecting Woodside, reflects the input and engagement of local Woodside residents and community groups.  This is an exciting first step in the transformation of the area into a neighbourhood which will be safer and more pleasant for people to live in and travel through by foot or by bike."

Connecting Woodside originally took inspiration from London's Mini-Holland competition and transport infrastructure in the Netherlands. Part of the project will include a segregated cycle route along St George's Road from Charing Cross to Possil Road and will connect to the Sauchiehall Street "Avenue" that is currently being delivered through the City Deal Regeneration.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: "The pupils have played a key part in helping rename Connecting Woodside. It fits perfectly. This million pound development will connect Woodside to surrounding areas and beyond, making it safer and better for people walking and cycling.

"Connecting Woodside is more than segregated cycle routes and will transform the area through the improved pedestrian and cycling access, increased cycle parking facilities for residents, schools and businesses as well as public realm improvements."

The proposal also includes the expansion of the cycle network into the city centre, St George's Road, Woodlands Road, Garscube Road and the Forth and Clyde Canal in a bid to encourage cycling as the favoured commuter option. The project has the potential to provide a launch pad for a similar approach across Glasgow.

In addition to the health and wellbeing benefits that the extensive cycle network will bring to the surrounding area, Connecting Woodside will strengthen local economies and improve road safety encouraging people to walk and cycle.

Susan Allan, head teacher at St Joseph's Primary School, said: "Staff, pupils and parents have collectively welcomed the Connecting Woodside project which will create safer routes for our pupils to walk and cycle to school, after school clubs and leisure facilities. We're excited to watch the area flourish and transform into a community that favours transport by bike or foot."

Successful projects in the CLPLUS competition are funded by the Scottish Government, with local authorities match funding the grant. Connecting Woodside was awarded £7 million for the development of the programme over the next three years with Glasgow City Council providing a further £1 million in addition to City Deal funding for Sauchiehall Street.

Community Links PLUS

Community Links PLUS is a design competition, hosted by Sustrans Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
Now in its third year, it seeks big, bold and innovative projects to restore the balance of Scotland's streets in favour of people walking and cycling. Previous successful entries have demonstrated an integrated approach to place-making, integrating community engagement, urban design, and promotion of walking and cycling to generate projects on a scale not yet seen in Scotland.

Sustrans Scotland

Sustrans Scotland is a registered charity working to enable people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of their everyday journeys.
For further information about CLPLUS and all winning designs, visit: http://bit.ly/2AMeHRQ
For further information about the work of Sustrans Scotland, visit: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/scotland/our-work-scotland