Steps upgrade is making progress
Plans to improve the steps between Darnley Park and Princes Street, Stirling, have been advanced
Residents were invited in July last year to have their say on three options to enhance the area.
And at a meeting earlier this month of Mercat Cross and City Centre Community Council, it was announced which option had won the support of the public.
Backing was given to a proposal to retain the existing steps, smarten up handrails, fit new rails to the middle of some of the steps and add an anti-slip covering to the walkway.
Included in the chosen option are 210 metres of “illuminated handrail” or four new lighting columns plus removal of existing vegetation, planting of “feature trees” and offer of “screening opportunities” for adjacent properties. It was the cheaper of three options. Others featured a proposal for a network of ramps with 16 hairpin bends, and the removal of existing steps and their replacement with ones that are compliant with inclusive Mobility guidance.
The steps were ‘closed’ to pedestrians several years ago.
Barriers were erected to stop people using the path between Princes Street and Darnley Street following complaints that it was the focus of antisocial behaviour and drug abuse.
However, the route remains in use and there were calls for it to be properly re-opened amid claims it’s a right of way and provides a useful short cut to the centre of Stirling.
Community council acting chairman Andrew Szwebs said there was support at community engagement events for the reopening of the steps. He said the option to retain and improve the existing steps was the one preferred by the majority of those who took in the consultation.
A council spokesman said: “We are looking at awarding a contract for the Darnley steps project in March with a view to making a start on site in April, 2018.”