Clifton Road FAQs

There has been a significant increase in traffic on Ravenscliffe Drive, Clifton Road, and Torburn Avenue since the road bridge at Thornliebank railway station was closed by Network Rail. The bridge works are required as part of the East Kilbride Enhancements project to upgrade the railway line.

We expect the temporary one-way system on Clifton Road to significantly reduce the traffic volume.

Details of the traffic survey can be viewed below.

The one-way system came into effect on 15 November 2024. The road was closed on 14 November 2024 to enable the necessary changes to road markings and signage.

Yes. The one-way system will be removed when the road bridge at Thornliebank reopens, and Clifton Road will become two-way again.

In the longer term, our Neighbourhood Streets programme will invite local residents to highlight any issues with traffic, streets, and spaces in the area that may require permanent solutions. We encourage you to visit our community hub and subscribe to the occasional email updates to ensure you hear about your chance to take part at the earliest opportunity.

According to the permanent traffic counter on Ravenscliffe Drive, daily average traffic volumes on this street more than doubled when the road bridge at Thornliebank railway station was closed.

Further seven-day surveys in August/September 2024 found an average daily traffic volume of 4435 on Ravenscliffe Drive to the west of Clifton Road, 708 on Ravenscliffe Drive to the east of Clifton Road, 4983 on Clifton Road, and 4558 on Torburn Avenue.

As of 29 November 2024, not enough time has passed to obtain an accurate picture of traffic flows after the one-way system was introduced. However, we are in the process of commissioning a bespoke survey at the one-way system on Clifton Road and will publish the survey findings on this site in due course.

We did not carry out traffic surveys on Orchard Drive or Burnfield Road because these are not the recommended diversion routes.

While the road bridge at Thornliebank railway station is closed, we recommend that diverted traffic uses the route via Nether Auldhouse Road, Fenwick Road, Rouken Glen Road, and Thornliebank Road.

We don't recommend using Orchard Drive, Burnfield Road, or nearby residential streets, because these are less suitable for high levels of traffic.

The council has powers under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to temporarily restrict or prohibit traffic on a road for certain reasons. Since the relevant provisions of the Act are intended for use in special cases, such restrictions may be introduced without delay.

In this instance, we're satisfied that the planned restrictions are required in connection with works being executed near the road. We liaised with Police Scotland and local elected members before introducing these measures.

Yes. Under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, it's an offence not to comply with the restrictions. Failure to comply with a 'No Entry' sign may result in a fine of up to £1,000 and between three and six penalty points. This may be enforced by Police Scotland.

The cost of making and installing the signing and lining for the one-way system is £2,076.

ERC officers have regular monthly meetings with Network Rail at which we discuss issues involving the East Kilbride Enhancements project. We've also met with both traffic and local officers from Police Scotland to make them aware of the new one-way system and encourage them to enforce it.

We've received approximately 60 emails about this issue as of Friday 29 November 2024.

The council continues to monitor the traffic situation in the area closely. We'd expect any initial disruption to settle down over the next few weeks as people become familiar with the new arrangements. We'll provide further social media posts to promote the recommended diversion routes. 

Fenwick Road is better suited than residential roads to accommodate the additional traffic resulting from the closure of Thornliebank Road.  Emergency services have not raised any issues in terms of congestion or response times.

While the road bridge at Thornliebank railway station is closed, we recommend that diverted traffic uses the route via Nether Auldhouse Road, Fenwick Road, Rouken Glen Road, and Thornliebank Road. We don't recommend using Orchard Drive, Burnfield Road, or nearby residential streets, because these are less suitable for high levels of traffic.

Therefore, we are not considering changing the timings of the traffic lights at the junction of Fenwick Road/Burnfield Road or Fenwick Road/Orchard Drive to accommodate drivers who choose not to follow the diversion route. 

The council continues to monitor the traffic situation in the area closely. We'd expect any initial disruption to settle down over the next few weeks as people become familiar with the new arrangements. We'll provide further social media posts to promote the recommended diversion routes. 

We encourage rail users to check the information available from train operators - online or at stations - and make alternative travel plans before the upcoming suspension of rail services on the East Kilbride line. It's the responsibility of Network Rail and ScotRail to decide whether alternative travel options should be provided. 

Concerns regarding dangerous driving should be reported to Police Scotland, who have powers to take enforcement action in line with their priorities and available resources.

This site received its most recent annual inspection in April 2024 and no such fault was observed. Traffic light controllers are designed to never allow a traffic phase to conflict with a pedestrian phase.

To maximise the flow of vehicles, the traffic lights at this junction do allow vehicles to move in certain directions that do not conflict with active pedestrian phases. People walking in the area should be aware that a 'green man' signal at this junction is an invitation to cross in the indicated direction only.

Pedestrian crossing facilities are provided as part of the traffic light controlled junctions at Fenwick Road / Orchard Drive and Thornliebank Road / Orchard Park Avenue. A zebra crossing is also provided on Orchard Park Avenue near the junction with Robslee Road.

Concerns regarding contravention of the one-way system should be reported to Police Scotland, who have powers to take enforcement action in line with their priorities and available resources.  Appropriate poles and signs have been erected and enforcement of the one-way system has increased, which has resulted in better compliance.

We've chosen a northbound one-way system as Clifton Road is uphill in this direction. We expect that this will result in lower vehicle speeds than with a downhill one-way system.

This option also makes it easier for drivers not expecting the one-way system to return to an alternative route - in this case, by turning onto Wellfield Avenue and back to Burnfield Road. If a southbound one-way system was provided, drivers would have to U-turn in Orchard Grove, which is a more difficult manoeuvre.

The measures in this area are temporary while the road bridge at Thornliebank railway station is closed. Introducing speed bumps would require permanent works, so we do not consider this to be appropriate. Speed bumps would also have little impact on the volume of traffic passing through the residential streets.

In the last few months we have made several changes to try to improve the situation on Clifton Road and the surrounding area. These have included a 20mph speed limit, additional signage to discourage use of the route by through traffic and HGVs, and bollards to prevent the pavements being mounted by vehicles. However, these measures have had a limited effect on the volume of traffic passing through the residential streets. 

Yellow box junctions are designed to keep the junction clear for through-traffic to avoid traffic jams and to enable drivers to make right turns into and out of side roads. As Burnfield Road is not recommended as a diversion route, we do not propose to accommodate manoeuvres by drivers who choose not to follow the diversion route.

As part of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, a 'no waiting at any time' restriction was introduced, to prohibit vehicles parking on the west side of Clifton Road.  This ensures the running lane for northbound traffic on Clifton Road is kept clear. A dedicated parking bay has been provided on the east side of Clifton Road.