Public’s chance to help shape cycle network

blackford: Online survey to gauge opinion on how to create safer routes

The public are being asked to help shape a safer network of off-road cycle and walking paths around Blackford.

The community has embarked upon a major project to improve local routes and those between the village and Auchterarder in particular.

Over the past decade there have been significant efforts made to increase access to safe cycling routes throughout Perth and Kinross.

Many new routes have been introduced to persuade residents to take to two wheels, but some areas such as Blackford are still looking for improvements to be made.

Finding safe and well-surfaced routes has been the subject of much debate, given the proximity of major and often dangerous roads.

Blackford is cut off by the A9 to the south and the railway to the north, posing problems for walkers and cyclists, with the path along the side of the A9 very close to passing HGVs and traffic travelling at 70mph.

Gleneagles Railway Station, meanwhile, has been dramatically improved in recent years but locals consider there remains no adequate safe and direct cycle route to the station.

A drop-in event allowed residents and cyclists to share ideas, with Blackford folk trio Tarneybackle taking to their bikes to publicise the event.

Around 40 people took part, sharing views and keeping Blackford Community Council members and their consultant busy for hours.

Janet Law, chairwoman of the community council, said: “The routes that have been identified for cyclists all have problems that must be surmounted.

“The path beside the A9 is troublesome as it is so near to fast-moving traffic, while other routes are poorly surfaced.

“Our consultant will now go away and look at the results of the online survey and the drop-in and will report back over the next two months on what are the best and safest routes.

“He will then survey those routes and provide costings so that we can then put in applications for funding to provide proper paths and surfaces.”

The online survey asks what journeys people travelling from the village would make if there were to be safe off-theroad cycle and walking paths available.

The community council hopes that by providing the means to cycle safely to work – whether in Auchterarder or at Gleneagles or to access Gleneagles station – local people can be persuaded to swap cars for two wheels.

Financial support for the project to date has come from Tactran (the Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership) and the Climate Challenge Development Fund.

The survey can be completed until Friday by visiting www.blackfordcommunitycouncil.org.uk.

“The path beside the A9 is troublesome as it is so near to fast-moving traffic, while other routes are poorly surfaced. JANET LAW CHAIRWOMAN OF BLACKFORD COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Cyclists take to the streets of Blackford to highlight the path network drop-in meeting and survey.