GLASGOW City Council is investing around £20,000 to resurface the Clyde Tunnel’s cycle paths with a new anti-skid surface.

The move comes following the rise in use of the cycle path - due to the new £842million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital - and a spate of recent cycling accidents in the tunnel.

The Council has said it ‘feels the time is right to get the work done with the general increase in walking and cycling in recent months’.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “Glasgow City Council is serious about putting a new anti-skid surface on the cycle path.

“The main reason for doing this is that over the years the existing surface has worn off and, as the tunnel in general can be damp and cold, this can be problematic to speeding cyclists.

“The accidents were not a deciding factor in this action being taken. The works were always planned for this summer when our specialist thin surfacing contractor was on site, from July to September.”

She added: “The 5mph signs are in place as a temporary measure until the works are completed thereafter an assessment will be done and appropriate speed limits put in place.”

The move comes after the Council accepted £1.17million of funding - £897,000 from Transport Scotland's Cycling Walking and Safer Streets (CWSS) and £280,000 from Sustrans - last month.

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Tricia Fort, Convener of GoBike, a campaign group for cyclists in the Strathclyde area, said more has to be done to improve the cycle path through the Clyde Tunnel.

She said: “First and foremost, a good surface is what we want, so the investment from Glasgow City Council is a good thing.

“A major improvement for cyclists and pedestrians who frequently use the tunnel would be a level and smooth surface which grips the bike’s tyres.

“Also, there’s no signage to any of the cycle path tunnels which I find to be very poor, but I believe the council will be remedying this following the opening of the new hospital.”

The news that there is to be an improvement to the current cycle paths has had a positive reaction from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) health board.

Mark Dell of NHSGGC said: “The number of NHSGGC staff using the tunnel to both walk and cycle to work has increased significantly on the back of the improvement works.

“A number of staff have praised the improved lighting and security, and the further work to upgrade the anti-skid surface will be similarly welcomed.