Grant of £2.7m for two city cycle lanes
Council/Sustrans link up to make city bike friendly
Two new cycling routes are to be built in Stirling following a cash boost of more than £2.5 million.
Stirling Council’s proposal to create an active travel network has been successful in the final judging of the Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links PLUS competition.
Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, this week announced that the council’s proposal, `Walk, Cycle, Live’, will be awarded a grant of up to 50 per cent of the total costs of the projects.
Five schemes across Scotland have been awarded grants totalling £22,540,360 from Transport Scotland funds, of which Stirling’s share is to be £2.7 million.
The grants will be delivered through Sustrans Scotland.
Cash has been given to create a `city boulevard’ linking the Srirling city centre and proposed city park between Stirling Castle and the M9 motorway.
Wider pavements are planned for the A811 from Dumbarton Road, along Albert Place and Upper Craigs.
The second proposal aims to improve the environment and streetscape along Goosecroft Road, Cowane Street and onward to Stirling University.
Officials say the two roads “prioritise” vehicles and the aim is to make them accessible to all users with redesigned road crossings.
The integrated network would link Stirling city centre with Stirling Bridge and continue onwards to Raploch, Cornton, Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan.
Stirling Council environment and housing convenor Jim Thomson said: “Our ambitious plans are not just about bringing new cycle lanes to the city – we are committed to helping change how people in our communities travel and to improving our neighbourhoods.
“Our Community Links plans will put in place visible, high quality cycling and pedestrian networks that will enhance our wonderful city.
“We look forward to working closely with communities to deliver these plans.”
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache welcomed the award, saying: “Over the past few years there has been lot of cycling initiatives in the area ranging from the creation of Recyke-a-bike, Cycle Hub and the NextBike scheme. The award of the Community Links PLUS to Stirling is very good news.”
Projects in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh also received funding, with five projects across the four council areas benefitting.
The Walk, Cycle, Live project is expected to be complete by summer, 2021.
Sustrans Scotland deputy director for built environment Daisy Narayanan said: “With the backing of Transport Scotland, Sustrans will now work in partnership with all four local authorities to turn their pioneering visions into reality.
These five exemplar projects will demonstrate the wide ranging benefits that well designed places bring, such as boosting footfall for local business, improving the health of local people and creating safer environments that are more pleasant to live in and move through.”
Stirling Council will now start to “refine” the proposals through public consultation and engagement.