First steps for new Tay route
Investigations are set to start into a new walking and cycling route between Luncarty and Stanley.
Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) and Stanley Development Trust (SDT) have secured £77,000 of funding through the Place for Everyone programme to develop options for the path.
It is hoped the project will provide a safer space for pedestrians and cyclists as more people turn to active travel options, as well as boosting tourism in the region.
The path will be part of the wider River Tay Way - a new long-distance walking and cycling route between Perth and Kenmore following Scotland’s longest river.
Once complete, the River Tay Way will connect Perth, Luncarty, Stanley, Dunkeld and Birnam, Aberfeldy and Kenmore through a ‘daisy chain’ of community links to enable low-carbon, active travel and additional local economic income for the area.
The first phase of the project, for which funding has been granted, will allow PKCT to work with its partners to develop an options appraisal exploring all possible paths an active travel route could take to link the two communities.
The first phase will also include the development of route maps, surveys, budgeting and landowner and community consultation.
SDT has previously looked at the feasibility of a path between the two villages and its work will be used to develop the new plans.
The group says increased house building coupled with more people choosing active travel has led to walkers and cyclists using dangerous roads around the village.
Mark McDonald at SDT said: “The Stanley Development Trust have previously made significant headway developing an interlinking community path and see the partnership with PKCT as a vital step to ensure a community led designed path is developed.
“The village of Stanley has become the latest Perthshire community embarking on a vast housing expansion and requires now, more than ever, an interlinking path network to allow safe, promoted cycle and walkways for commuting and active travel.
“We have recorded a significant uptake in active travel during lockdown with many walkers and cyclists being forced to use the B9099. This is not safe for cyclists, walkers or car users and we look at segregation to provide a safer environment for all.”
Andrew Barrie, PKCT strategic routes officer, added: “Active travel is great for keeping healthy, creating safer means of travel and looking after the environment.
“We are so pleased to have secured this funding from Sustrans to start the process of planning a new route to link communities together.
“The Stanley Development Trust developed a feasibility report for such a path previously, which we’ll use as a guide for our new investigations, but lots has changed over recent years, including proposed housing developments and massive changes to the A9.
“We need to take a fresh look at all the issues and options and consult closely with the local community and landowners to determine the best route option.”
Places for Everyone is funded by the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland and is administered by Sustrans.