Glasgow has say on calls to pedestrianise the city centre

It comes after a fresh plea was launched last month by a number of councillors in a bid to tackle pollution in the area.

The proposal would see most streets that are not currently pedestrianised closed off to motorists.

Glasgow City Council met it target to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2020 two years ago despite the city’s total energy use increasing.

The local authority will however continue to focus its efforts on reducing heat demand in buildings, both from gas and electricity, as well as concentrating efforts on reducing emissions from transport.

At an environment committee, Labour councillor Jim Kavanagh pointed out that heat pumps could be used across the city to help address these issues.

He suggested: “We should be taking people out of cars. The only way to do that is to pedestrianise most streets within the city centre. It can be done to make it safe and pollution free for the benefit of all within this city.

“I would like to pedestrianise the city centre because we could have a ring road drop off which would be beneficial not only to the people but to the shoppers. People may say we are chasing them away from the city centre but we aren’t because they will be safer and better.”

Residents in Glasgow have shared mixed opinions on seeing their city closed off to vehicles and motorists.

Stephanie Mills welcomed the idea on Mr Kavanagh’s stance that it would decrease air pollution levels within the area.

She said: “I would say it’s nice for people to walk around the streets currently pedestrianised. So if they were to make the streets currently not closed off to motorists for pedestrians only, I think it would be really nice as it is always really, really busy.

“Not only that, it would benefit the area by not having as much pollution from fumes for a change.”

Mic Calder agreed with the motion, however argued that public transport must be stepped up if the bid is brought forward.

He said: “I think it would be a great idea – I think cars should be banned everywhere in cities. With that though, you need to have a proper public transport infrastructure and we just don’t have that in Glasgow.

“We’d need to seriously look at our underground travel system so we could move around freely.

“Pedestrianisation needs to go hand-in-hand with cycle lanes. I think removing all non-essential motor transport would have a massive benefit on Glasgow. But we’d need to look at shifting to how we receive deliveries – we’d need to look at the underground service again.”

Meanwhile, Jimmy Daley raised concerns around traffic congestions in areas of the city centre.

“I love the idea of the city centre being pedestrianised, but I don’t think it will ever happen. I do think that they will pedestrianise George Square though. Renfield Street is quite possibly the worst street in Glasgow for traffic congestion, it’s quicker to walk down than what it is to get a bus… you can’t get moving.

“It wouldn’t only benefit Glaswegians to pedestrianise the city centre but it would benefit the tourists too, they wouldn’t need to weave in and out of the traffic all the time”, he said.

A minority argued against the bid, with some raising concerns around accessibility to and from the city centre.

Max Chalmers said: “I think the city is already really pedestrianised compared to other cities. If you go to London for example there is cars everywhere. Cars are generally very useful for having in Glasgow – if you happen to live in the suburbs it can be tricky relying on public transport.”

A bus driver, who wish not to be named, outlined that the move would have a detrimental impact on his industry.

He said: “I would really regret seeing any more of the city centre pedestrianised than what it already is – it would put myself and many, many more people out of a job. I think the streets have made more and more way for pedestrians over the years. It’s a good balance and I don’t think it needs more scrutiny.”