Over the next two years, two new walking, wheeling and cycling corridors will be delivered across Stirling as part of a £9.5million active travel project.
From left to right: Clackmannshire Council Leader Cllr Ellen Forson with dog Loki, Stirling Council Leader Cllr Scott Farmer, Stirling Council Depute Leader Cllr Chris Kane, Sustrans Portfolio Director for Scotland Karen McGregor, Environment Advisor at the University of Stirling Amy Gove-Kaney. Photo: Stirling Council/Whyler Photos.
Construction of the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project is set to begin in March of this year.
A landmark project for the city, the scheme intends to not only improve safety and accessibility for those travelling by foot and wheel, but also seeks to increase economic activity and footfall for local businesses.
The project received £6.8m in funding from Places for Everyone, as well as £2.5m of Scottish Government investment from the City Region Deal and £258k from Stirling Council’s developer contributions allocation.
The city-wide plan also presents Stirling Council and partners with new place-making and tourism opportunities along the new routes.
The new infrastructure will also lay the foundations for future connections to Clackmannanshire and the wider Forth Valley region.
A detailed look
The project will deliver two main connections throughout the wider city. Illustration: Stirling Council
6.5km of new infrastructure will be created in total.
It will smoothly interlink with existing but currently disconnected routes across the city.
This will help to connect communities, businesses and higher education institutes throughout Stirling with active travel for the first time.
Route one will provide a safe and accessible route between Stirling Train station and the University of Stirling, taking in iconic landmarks like Old Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument along the way.
Route two will bridge the gaps between Forth Valley College and the City Centre along Albert Place, Dumbarton Road and Raploch Road, under the shadow of Stirling Castle.
The wider picture
The two new routes will pass iconic sites such as Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument. Photo: Stirling Council/Whyler Photos.
In attendance at a launch event for the project alongside other local councillors, Sustrans staff, residents and business owners, Stirling Council Leader Cllr Farmer said:
"For the first time ever, we’ll be able to create seamless sustainable travel options that link the institutions and businesses of our City with their local communities, setting a new standard of local active travel infrastructure.
"This investment will make it easier to walk or wheel around Stirling, and we hope this improved and increased access will not only meet the growing demands for better active travel infrastructure, but embed a culture that embraces cycling, walking and wheeling in the everyday lives of the people who live, work and visit Stirling."
As one of the cornerstone projects of the £90.2million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling delivers connections which extend far beyond the city itself, whilst also further emboldening the Scottish Government’s plan to tackle climate change.
Clackmannanshire Council Leader Ellen Forson said:
"I am delighted to see this project start to take shape.
"It will improve connectivity for our residents by providing a link to routes already established in Clackmannanshire, and is a great example of partnership working through the Stirling & Clackmannanshire City Region Deal."
Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said:
"These walking and wheeling corridors will promote more sustainable travel, healthier lifestyles and opportunities for tourism while connecting Stirling’s educational institutions, businesses and communities.
"This is helping deliver the bold and ambitious actions we need to help reduce carbon emissions to net zero and encourage sustainable economic growth."
A major active travel network for Stirling
Initial construction will start in tandem on Raploch Road East near the King’s Knot, and Airthrey Road near the University.
The project is due to be completed by March 2024, whereupon Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling will serve as a major active travel network for communities across the wider Stirling landscape.
