Planned improvements to a junction in Kirkintilloch are to be tested over the next month as part of an initiative to reinvigorate the town centre.

The junction, between Catherine Street and Cowgate, will see a number of temporary measures in place. They include:

• Deactivation of traffic lights

• Realignment of the junctions

• Removal of lines and signs

• Highlighted crossing points

• Removal of furniture cluttering the street, including guard railings.

The four-week trial started on Monday (11 August) and aims to rebalance the movement in the town centre by giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists priority. In addition, the carriageways in the area are being narrowed in order to reduce the speed of vehicles. A non-priority junction scheme is also being put in place; this means that no stream of traffic has formal priority over the other.

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While the above arrangements will be in place for four weeks, the monitoring period, such as the movement of the vehicles, public transport as well as pedestrians and cyclists, will last for eight weeks. The information gathered will then be used to help shape the Cowgate Street design works, which falls under the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan. The Masterplan aims to regenerate Kirkintilloch, providing a mix of business, civil, leisure, retail and tourism facilities.

Council Leader Rhondda Geekie commented: "The Catherine Street junction with Cowgate is always very busy and reducing traffic disruption - as well as giving pedestrians and cyclists priority - has been identified as one of the goals of the Masterplan. I look forward to seeing the results of this trial and how we can take forward the improvements in Kirkintilloch town centre.

"Please be aware if you are driving in Catherine Street that there may be some disruption as road users adjust to the changes. However, in the long-term this trial will help to inform the Masterplan and our ambitious plans for the town centre."

(JP/IT)