Latest news with #StirlingandClackmannanshireCityRegionDeal
The Courier
29-04-2025
- The Courier
Watch: Drone footage shows how Stirling's £11m active travel network looks so far
Stirling's active travel network was officially launched last week, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Wallace High School. In total, £11 million will be invested in creating new paths for cyclists and pedestrians, linking areas of the city and its surroundings as part of the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. The aim is to encourage more locals to travel by bike or on foot, instead of taking the car. Several sections of the active travel network are already complete, linking Forth Valley College's Drip Road campus to the city centre, and Stirling railway station to Stirling University campus. In honour of the launch, Stirling Council and Sustrans Scotland have released breathtaking drone footage, showing the finished active travel routes from the sky. You can watch the video at the top of this article. Opening with a stunning shot of Stirling Castle and the King's Knot, the footage follows one of the finished sections of cycle path along Dumbarton Road and onto Albert Place. Next, the active travel route outside Stirling station is shown, including bike crossings where Goosecroft Road meets Shore Road. The drone camera pulls back as a cyclist pedals along the Causewayhead path, and the video ends with a sprawling view of the area, featuring the River Forth and the Wallace Monument. Public consultations are currently open for future phases of Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling in the north of the city. Stirling Council is currently seeking local views on proposed routes connecting Causewayhead to Bridge of Allan, Bridge of Allan to Dunblane, and Manor Powis roundabout to Causewayhead. The suggested plan for linking Dunblane and Bridge of Allan has prompted concern from locals. Some residents feel the B8033 road is too busy to become a single carriageway, as proposed, and argue the change would be dangerous. Others say there are better nearby routes to develop into a path for bikes and walkers. Stirling's active travel project is funded by several bodies. The majority of the investment comes from Sustrans Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland and via Places for Everyone. The rest is provided by the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, with a smaller portion from Stirling Council's developer contributions allocation.
The Courier
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
Local input 'crucial to getting Stirling cycle paths right', says deputy council leader
Stirling Council must take on board the views of residents when it comes to the city's new cycle and walking paths, according to its deputy leader. Jen Preston told The Courier the ongoing public consultation for the next phase of Stirling's active travel network was 'crucial to getting it right'. The Labour Stirling West councillor said she keen to hear more ideas from locals and cyclists. Ms Preston was speaking on Thursday (April 24) at the official launch of the active travel path that runs from Stirling railway station, through Causewayhead Road, to the University of Stirling. The walking and cycling path is part of the £11 million Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. Ms Preston's comments come after responses to a recently launched online consultation highlighted local concern over the proposed Bridge of Allan to Dunblane cycle and walking path – the next phase of the project. Some residents feel the B8033 road between Keir Roundabout and the Dunblane Centre roundabout is too busy to be a single carriageway, and argue the change would be dangerous. Others say there are better nearby routes to develop into a path for bikes and pedestrians. Ms Preston told The Courier the existing active travel route is already well used, adding: 'I speak to a lot of the regular Stirling cyclists who use it often and they are really enjoying it. 'That says to me we are getting something right.' Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop also attended Thursday's ceremony at Wallace High School to cut the ribbon and mark the official opening of the active travel route. She said: 'Now that we have this fantastic facility, I hope more and more people will use it. 'Stirling should be very proud. 'Stirling has been a real leader with what it has done addressing climate change and the cycle path infrastructure.' Three Wallace High School pupils present at the launch event said they thought the cycle and walking path offered several benefits. Nora, Parth and Hayden, all in S3, said they felt safer riding their bikes on the path compared to the road. Parth added that he felt much happier cycling 'away from the bad drivers'. They all also said cycling to school is now more fun and social. Hayden said: 'One of my friends, at least one day a week, will come and cycle to school with me.' The Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project is funded by several bodies. The majority of the investment comes from Sustrans Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland and via Places for Everyone. The rest is provided by the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, with a smaller portion from Stirling Council's developer contributions allocation. The project is part of the council's Climate and Nature Emergency Plan, which hopes to make the area carbon neutral by 2035.
