Initiatives
Did you know you can walk to most places in Barrhead in 20 to 30 minutes and cycle there in under 10 minutes! As part of Go Barrhead a Green Travel Map has been produced to encourage you to make more walking and cycling trips around town. Green travel map (PDF 1.37 MB)
Go Barrhead comprises of a range of initiatives to improve active and healthy travel options around the town. See below for more information on each project.
Personalised Travel Planning
Between June and August 2010 we'll be visiting households in Arthurlie, Springhill, Auchenback, Dovecothall and Crossmill. Our Go Barrhead Travel Advisor Team can provide you with FREE advice on travelling around Barrhead, on foot, by bike, by public transport or car sharing! Over the next two summers, Go Barrhead's Travel Advisor Team will visit every household in the town encouraging residents to think about how they currently travel and the small changes they can make to make.
Between August and September 2009 we'll be visiting households near Paisley Road and Kelburn Street.
We'll do our best to contact you by household visit but if you have received a "we've missed you" leaflet and still want to talk to a Travel Advisor, please contact us using the contact details shown.
Some Thoughts On The Project From Last Years Travel Advisors
"This is an entirely different job to what I've done before and I am enjoying meeting the public and find them to be receptive to the project"- Marlene Pirrie
"I was a bit apprehensive at the start with this new project, but having being out in the field and finding the people of Barrhead to be very receptive, it is very encouraging.... and I am hoping to weigh at least a stone less at the end of the project!"- Kathleen Matchett
"As hard as the people of Barrhead are on themselves, the feedback we have received so far shows they are more than willing to make that all important small change and continued growth"- Barry Campbell
"This project has allowed me to re-examine my own lifestyle and to make positive changes towards becoming a more healthy and active member of the community. I like the diversity of the team: everyone has different life and work experiences and I think the ability to motivate each other is fantastic"- Tracy McGregor
"Go Barrhead gives an opportunity to gain insight to the challenges we face to try and change personal travel behaviour to help save the planet. Go Barrhead has shown that being more healthy and saving the environment can be fun"- Savio D'Souza
"This has proved a very interesting experience and already I am starting to question my own modes of transport. I've started in a small way by leaving the car on short journeys, where I don't really need to drive. I have been impressed by the team's enthusiasm and the way they have all worked together, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the project."- Steven Crone
Pedestrian and Cyclist Facilities Inventory and Implementation
This project will involve improvements to pedestrian and cyclist facilities as a result of an audit of the way things are at present.
Candidate Core Paths Improvements
This project involves improving the wider path network to create a cohesive network of paths for those travelling by non-motorised means within East Renfrewshire. This will include new routes and improved signage.
Strategic Urban Path Improvements in Barrhead
Improving paths and creating routes which will make it easier to travel by foot or by bike within Barrhead.
Barrhead Speed Reduction Pilot Project
Working with the Transport Research Institute (TRI) at Napier University to design a research project to look at a variety of methods to encourage speed reduction.
Dams to Darnley Council Park Balgray Reservoir Path
The creation of a new all abilities path at Balgray Reservoir between Balgrayston Road and Aurs Road providing direct access from Barrhead Town Centre and Auchenback to the Country Park.
Better Barrhead Public Space Project Enhancements
This project comprises of a series of inter-linked environmental improvements to key sites in Barrhead town centre. These improvements will create greater functionality and ambience of these places.
Auchenback Health and Open Space Project
This project will involve the creation of the new Aurs Drive Community Park building on existing work with the local community.
Cycle Parking at Primary and Secondary Schools
This project will involve the installation of cycle racks at primary schools in Barrhead and will be complemented by work with schools to encourage their use.
Bus Infrastructure Audit and Implementation
This project will identify priority locations for bus infrastructure improvements and to implement these to encourage greater public transport use. These improvements are likely to include new bus shelters and raised kerbs at stops.
Barrhead High School Travel Group
A school travel group will be developed to promote and improve safe and sustainable travel options to school.
Smarter Barrhead Schools Initiative
The Smarter Barrhead Schools Initiative includes a number of activities including promotion of bike week, promotion of walk to school week, cycle skills training for primary schools and pedometer challenges. An incentive based loyalty scheme entitled the "Go Active Club" will be piloted at St John's Primary with the aim to roll this out across Barrhead. It is also intended to seek to pilot the introduction of cycling skills to the PE curriculum at Barrhead High School.
Walking and Cycling for Health in Barrhead
This project will encourage more people to walk locally in Barrhead who currently take very little exercise. The project will support active travel and active leisure opportunities and work with existing groups to create a local support network of walking and cycling for health projects building on existing initiatives.
Go Greener Event
Go Greener is a community group with public/private ownership that was established to tackle climate change issues in East Renfrewshire. A family fun day will be held in Barrhead to promote sustainable travel and wider environmental issues.