Group gets £60k boost for paths
A group which aims to improve the path network in the Carse of Gowrie has been handed a £60,000 boost for a project.
The Carse of Gowrie Group (CoGG) wants to improve off the road walking and cycling links between the villages of Errol, Errol Station and Grange.
And it was revealed this month the group has been successful in securing funding for the next stage of the development of the paths.
The group’s secretary Roger Humphry said: “Roads in the Errol area are experiencing increasing levels of traffic, both cars and HGVs, and if local people including children are to feel safe cycling and walking, then we need good quality off road paths.”
A community consultation on the proposed paths held last year showed overwhelming support for more and better links.
It also showed that the main barrier to cycling and walking was road safety, as people were afraid of fast moving vehicles on rural roads.
The group reckons the perception of danger is borne out by government statistics; cyclists on rural ‘A’ roads are twice as likely to be killed (per mile travelled) than cyclists on urban roads.
Currently there is no pavement on the one and a half mile route between Errol and Grange.
Pedestrians in particular face an unpleasant and dangerous walk along the straight road joining the villages. They have to deal with fast vehicles and large puddles.
The cash has been awarded through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, which is funded by Transport Scotland, to carry out concept design and route development for a traffic free path route.
Chair Ron Gillies added: “We’re really pleased to working positively with Perth and Kinross Council and local landowners to realise this project.
“In the longer term we would like to extend the off the road path network across the Carse”.
The group is planning a cycle festival event to be held around Easter as part of the project.