Plans for link road in Stirling
Proposals to change city travel plans
Plans to transform the transport network connecting Kings Park and Stirling South via a long proposed link road have been unveiled by Stirling Council.
Proposals to change the way people can move around the Torbrex, King’s Park and Braehead areas of the city either by foot, bike or vehicle were presented to councillors on Monday before a series of roadshows, starting next week.
Central to the wider plans are proposals for the new link road through the council’s existing Viewforth site, which houses the authority’s headquarters, with an increase in the capacity for walking and cycling also forming a key part of the scheme.
The proposed route through the Stirling Council-owned site has been a hot topic for several years and linked to the plans is the future of listed building Langarth House.
In October, 2015, it was thought the link road plans could be scrapped in a review of the Viewforth site masterplan after a previous offer for Langgarth House was withdrawn.
Green Party activists have consistently opposed plans for the link road arguing it would increase congestion and make the Viewforth site unnattractive for housing development.
In 2014, council planners advised that noise, traffic and impact on listed buildings were among potential issues which would have to be assessed if plans for the link road were to progress.
They said the site was also within a Conservation Area with both residential and business properties, and a number of mature trees and a pond could be affected, therefore a number of documents would have to accompany any planning application including a noise assessment and assessments of dust and air quality, listed buildings, Kings Park Conservation Area and ecology such as great crested newts, badgers and bats.
Stirling West councillor Neil Benny, said this week: “It is really important that people make their voices heard during this consultation. These proposals are not straightforward and will have a significant impact on the whole city.
“The presentation I saw showed that there is real potential to link up the paths and pavements across St Ninians, Kings Park and Torbrex to make it nicer and easier to walk into town, but the link road issue must be properly thought through. It is an expensive and very high impact proposal and we need to make a decision based on the best evidence and a wide set of views.”
Environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson said: “We have been discussing plans for a new road on the Viewforth site for a number of years.
“Now we hope to take it forward as part of an exciting package of measures to make the city centre and the neighbourhoods to the south of it, places for people, as well as traffic.
“A key part of this will be engaging with the public, showing them our proposals and getting feedback on these plans.
“The drop-ins will be open to everyone and we’re asking the community to come along and talk to us about these proposals.”
The council say walking and cycling play a big part in the project and will be made possible here by the decrease in traffic in the city centre and neighbouring areas brought about by a new link road through the Viewforth site.
A council spokesperson said: “These proposals will involve big changes to the area if they go ahead so now is the time to get involved and make your voice heard.”
●■Drop in sessions run from: Tuesday and Wednesday Nov 13 and 14, 3.306pm, Braehead Primary School; Friday Nov 16, 3-7pm Council Chambers, Old Viewforth; Saturday November 17, 12.30-4pm Council Chambers, Old Viewforth.
Further information on the Viewforth Master Plan is available online at: https://my.stirling.gov.uk/ services/council-and-government/ consultations-complaints-andcompliments/consultation/pastconsultations/viewforth-masteplan.