A NEW bike lane by the River Clyde to create space for social distancing is now up and running.

And cycling advocates have praised the speed of installing the Clyde-side infrastructure.

Council bosses, as part of a scheme that will be rolled out across the city, have created more space on the Broomielaw for bikes to ease congestion.

Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “It’s brilliant to see that work is already underway to create extra space by the Clyde for walking, wheeling and cycling.

“The walkway has been a source of concern as it can be cramped in places anyway and it has been busy with pedestrians and cyclists during lockdown.

“The new pop-up lane will ease pressure along the walkway and help give people the space to remain physically distant while the risk of spreading covid-19 remains.

“We are still in the midst of a public health emergency and so we have to move quickly to provide the reassurance that people can move around the city safely."

Glasgow Times:

Council bosses are looking at ways to create temporary additional pavements and cycle paths as more people are out on bikes and walking during lockdown.

Kelvin Way has already been closed to vehicles and measures will be introduced at Byres Road and Partick, Dennistoun, Shawlands and Maryhill have also been identified as places where the temporary measures can be introduced.

Pollok, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Castlemilk have been earmarked also.

Thomas Cornwallis, co-convenor of cycle campaign group GoBike said: "We at GoBike are happy to see another move forward in creating more space for distancing for those walking, wheeling and cycling along this section of the River Clyde.

"It’s not perfect, and there will be room for improvements in time but the speed these new facilities are being installed is wonderful.

"We can’t wait to see more of these come to our amazing city, and as group we will try to ensure that even more appear right across the city, and beyond."

Anna added: “Everyone from our engineers to the contractors deserve huge credit for the way they are pressing on with the Space for Distancing project.

“But this is a much wider initiative that also aims to support economic recovery by creating safe public spaces across the city for businesses and their customers.

Glasgow Times:

“Plans are being drawn together rapidly and we hope to see these plans taking shape on the ground as soon as possible. "