Benderloch project opens safe path for walkers and cyclists
A TEN-YEAR project driven by the community has made Benderloch a safer place for cyclists and walkers, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Retired teacher Iain McKie said the single track road over the old railway bridge joining the village to Keil Road used to be ‘jaw-droppingly dangerous’ but now it can be bypassed.
Walkers and cyclists used to have no choice but to step off the path and into the road putting themselves at great risk, said Mr McKie who lives nearby.
The route is used daily by children going to Lochnell Primary School.
‘The size of the children compared to the size of the big wheels on the passing lorries was terrifying to see. It was jaw droppingly-dangerous,’ said Mr McKie.
The new path and cycle way now passes under the bridge keeping people safe.
The land forming the bypass was donated to the project by Hilary Wyld and Hugh MacColl, who sadly died before work finished on it.
Local man Fergie Thomson, who worked the land and had also co-operated, also died during the project.
Peter Sinclair, who still keeps animals on land at the bypass, also gave his co-operation, said Mr McKie.
He added: ‘With the number and size of vehicles on the road, it was becoming a real hazard. It took 10 years in the planning, including getting the funding, but it is a massive benefit to our community and we needed to say thank you to everyone who made it possible. It was teamwork.’ Funding support for the bypass came from Sustrans and Argyll and Bute Council – the council allocated £50,000, which was matched funded by Sustrans.
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: ‘This project is the result of a lot of hard work in partnership with Ardchattan Community Council, residents, land owners and Sustrans. As well as providing a safer route for pupils, the new path links to the Caledonia Way and makes for a better all-round walking and cycling experience in and around Benderloch.’
Phil Kearney, routes and networks manager at Sustrans Scotland, said: ‘We are delighted to hear the route near Benderloch is being enjoyed by schoolchildren on their way to and from school. Being active and getting out in the fresh air is a superb way to start and finish the school day and Sustrans is keen to continue working with local authorities across Scotland to make it safer and easier for children to walk and cycle to school.
‘The cycle route through Benderloch has been funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Sustrans and Argyll and Bute Council through our Community Links programme and also in parts by Sustrans’ design and engineering team through our National Cycle Network development programme.
‘This is part of the ongoing development of the Caledonia Way, NCN78, the long distance cycle route that runs from Campbeltown to Inverness.’