Report accepts limited p.s.v.
Page 52
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access to 'pedestrian roads'
MINIBUSES may operate a circular service for central Glasgow shoppers in the future.
The possibility requires further study, Glasgow Corporation has been told.
Mr. E R. L. Fitzpayne, transport department general manager, and Mr. John C. Armour, city engineer, have meanwhile said they would accept "pedestrianized" thoroughfares provided access for public service vehicles was allowed at agreed frequencies.
Says a report accepted last week by the city highways and planning committees: "This would entail the retention of a vehicular carriageway providing no more than two lanes (assuming one-way operation) to allow for overtaking, and the speed of buses might be restricted to a maximum of 10 mph.
"Such operating conditions have been in vogue for some years in certain cities in the US—for example in Washington, where minibuses provide a service along pedestrian malls which is regarded as complementary to the shopping function.
"The possibility of a minibus circular service being introduced in the central area of Glasgow has also been investigated by the general manager of the transport department, who has written a technical article on the possibility of minibus facilities but points out the need for further study in the problems of operation.
"Minibuses linking rail and bus termini and car parks, as well as the main shopping centres, could become more important if there was greater emphasis in future on 'terminating' as against 'through' bus services."
To assess reaction to the elimination of through traffic from principal shopping centres, informal meetings were held with representatives of the RHA, Scottish Retail Drapers Association, Sauchiehall Street Traders Association, and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. The idea had been received with encouraging enthusiasm, says the report.
While the rationalization of traffic within the central area was desirable and possible, its implementation depended on completing the inner ring road, says the report. The introduction of pedestrianized shopping centres on a large scale was unlikely before the early 1970s when the north and west flanks in the ring road should be completed and a measure of traffic relief obtained.
It was desirable to sub-divide the central areas into sections in which the ultimate level of vehicular traffic could be determined; and to establish major car parks for shortand long-term parkers conveni
ently sited for the main traffic circulation system.
Both committees recommend that the present one-way system be extended.
The report adds that it would be necessary to guarantee service access to existing frontages until proper rear service areas could be provided. "The question of reconciling public transport with pedestrianized streets is rather more difficult."
The removal of buses from main shopping streets would almost certainly lead to pedestrian-vehicular conflict elsewhere as a result of shoppers crossing traffic routes, while moving between bus stops and shopping areas. It was to serve these people that the possibility of minibus circular services was being suggested for further study.
• ABERDEEN Corporation Transport has just taken into service 10 Atlanteans the first Leyland double-deckers to be operated by the undertaking. Bodies (by W. Alexander, of Falkirk) are similar to those on the Daimler Fleetlines put in service last year. One of the 10 Atlanteans has wide-bay windows (four up, three down), while all the buses are 77seaters with luggage space under the staircase and at the nearside of the lower saloon; the staircase is similar to the Liverpool design.