Chris gets in gear to look for suitable cycle routes
Project steps up to next level
The consultant appointed to help develop a cycle network between Blairgowrie, Alyth and Coupar Angus visited the area recently to meet with those involved with the project.
Chris York from Walking the Talk has been tasked with looking at potential routes for the network between the three towns following a successful application for funding for the role.
Around 20 people attended a meeting in the Wellmeadow Cafe in Blairgowrie last month to meet Chris and discuss options with him.
Len Seal from Blairgowrie’s Climate Cafe is one of those involved in the project.
He said: “This idea came from us wanting to find ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the area and encourage people who want to get out and about more to do so.
“It could also have a positive impact on tourism in the area if it is successful.” He went on: “I think it was a very useful meeting. “We looked at possible routes that we want Chris and his team - which includes engineers, environmental experts and land agents - to investigate and the possibilities and pitfalls of each were highlighted by people who between them have a lot of local knowledge.
“Chris then spent the next day out and about looking at the potential routes, and was very well briefed for this.”
John Palfreyman from Forward Coupar Angus is also involved.
He added: “Chris was very keen to interact with the group to find out what is already known about the potential routes and a number of ideas were put forward.
“We also had two members of staff from the University of Dundee at the meeting who offered to help in various ways, including creating 3-D visuals of the plans so that people can get an idea of how the paths will look.
“We could work with their students on a range of things, which would be of benefit to us and to the students themselves in terms of gaining real-life hands-on experience.”
As well as looking at the routes themselves, Chris will also work on further funding applications for the significant amounts of money that will be needed to complete the proposed project.
He told the Blairie: “We’re delighted to have won the contract for the feasibility study and its very encouraging to see the level of interest in the project from local residents.
“We have a lot to do and the first stage is to speak with land managers in the area. There are still a lot of options on the table so this is a good time to have discussions about the potential to develop a safe and direct network of cycle routes between the three towns.”
Meanwhile, the Coupar Angus Cycling Hub has organised a cycling event for Saturday, April 1 to promote the need for safe cycling paths between the three towns.
The event is being held in collaboration with the We Walk We Cycle We Vote campaign to highlight the need for such infrastructure in the run up to the local elections in May to ensure that the roads are safer for everyone to use and to encourage local authorities to take action and make these changes happen.
Anyone interested in the cycle routes project who wishes to be kept up to date with developments, or who could contribute local knowledge and ideas, can be included on a mailing list.
Please email Len at lenseal210@gmail.com to be added to the list.