A MAJOR commuter road linking East Dunbartonshire into Glasgow is to get a segregated cycle lane to tackle "indiscriminate and inconsiderate parking" by motorists.
Councillors have voted to push ahead with measures that will transform an existing advisory cycle lane on the A81 between Burnbrae in Milngavie and Hillfoot in Bearsden into a bike-only space.
The work, known as the Bears Way project, is expected to be complete by spring 2015.
Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of Development and Regeneration, said: "I am delighted that we are moving ahead with the Bears Way project - making it safer for people to walk, cycle and use our roads.
"The existing advisory cycle lanes and areas of the pavement have suffered from indiscriminate and inconsiderate parking in the past - forcing cyclists into the main road and causing hazards for them, pedestrians and drivers.
"The new cycle lanes - combined with the waiting and loading restrictions - will improve safety and traffic flow."
Councillors have also agreed to progress a traffic regular order which will introduce waiting and loading restrictions on the A81 Milngavie Road, Bearsden, and Main Street, Milngavie - between Burnbrae roundabout and Burnmouth Place.
In addition, flat-top speed tables will be located at the access to the residential road to the west of the roundabout and the access road to Allander Leisure Centre.
The measures are intended to tackle safety issues in relation to traffic speed and parking.
However, Cllr Moir said additional parking spaces would be provided to balance out the introduction of the cycle-only lane.
He said: "The design has considered parking at all stages. There will be additional parking provided as a result of removing the advisory cycle lanes at Manse Road and in the vicinity of houses at Burnbrae roundabout.
"Promoting sustainable transport is a priority for this Council - helping people to lead healthier lives, cutting down on carbon emissions and improving the environment."
The Bears Way project aims to enable and encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport along the A81. The Council is working in conjunction with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Sustrans, Cycling Scotland and Transport Scotland to deliver the plans, which are being financed entirely through external funding.
East Dunbartonshire Council has been awarded £590,000 from SPT and also secured £500,000 from Sustrans over two years to promote local sustainable transport.
A further £700,000 over three years came from Transport Scotland's Bus Investment Fund (BIF) to pay for new bus shelters, real-time timetable information and bus priority measures along the A81 corridor.
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