Action call for more cycling-friendly roads
Councillor says speed cut necessary
A plea was made to Stirling Council this week to use its powers to protect cyclists and walkers by bringing down the speed limit on district roads.
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache spoke of the unsuitability of the 60mph limit on Polmaise Road near his home as an example.
Last week councillors turned down an application for an access road from Polmaise Road to the dormant Murrayshall Quarry, near Cambusbarron, citing fears over increased traffic and attendant noise and fumes.
Councillor Tollemache, who cycles regularly on
Polmaise Road, pointed out that the speed limit on the road should be decreased to 40mph for safety reasons. There is currently a 40mph walking and cyclingfriendly road sign on nearby Kersebonny Road.
Councillor Tollemache said: “A big issue is roads around towns and villages used by cars and people. Stirling Council has plans for cycle routes in Stirling which I fully support.
“However we urgently need to address the issues of our rural roads and we could address this now by designating specific routes with walking and cycling friendly road signage and reducing the speed.
“I am amongst the many people who use Polmaise Road to walk and cycle from Stirling and frankly the 60mph speed limit is far too high.
“I have spoken to people who will not cycle or walk on the road until the speed issue is addressed.”
“This road starts off as a wide road but quickly becomes single track. Its designation needs to be urgently addressed and for the council to use their powers to protect cyclists and walkers.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said this week: “As a council we are committed to helping change how people in our communities travel and to improving our road networks for everyone.
“Walking and cycling -friendly roads have already been introduced at
Kersebonny Road, Stirling, and Invertrossachs Road, Callander.
“These have proved popular and we are currently considering other potential routes that may be suitable as part of our road safety programme.
“We are also currently working in partnership with Sustrans Scotland and Forth Environment Link to create more accessible, attractive and safer environments for walking and cycling as part of the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. Our continued commitment to improving our active travel networks will help make Stirling a better place for people to live, work and visit, while having a positive impact on the environment and carbon emissions.”
We urgently need to address the issues of our rural roads