A section of the Riverside Walk, the recreational path that runs along the banks of the Allanwater just below Dunblane Cathedral has been fenced off and closed to the public since 2011 when it was washed away by the river in full flow following a period of extreme wet weather.
The local community, led by Dunblane Development Trust, has been working to see it restored and reopened as the walk is a valuable asset of cathedral city life for both locals and visitors.
Stirling Council has set aside £100,000 towards the necessary work and Dunblane Development Trust has also attained a £10,000 grant from the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust and has raised over £2,000 from local public donations to allow the restoration to take place.
Stirling Council Environment Convenor, Councillor Danny Gibson, said:“We know just how important this part of Dunblane is to the local community and what a jewel in the crown it is of their visitor offering which is why we have pledged such a significant sum. Stirling Council is delighted to support the community’s aspirations and efforts to have the Riverside Walk restored and reopened. This is an excellent example of the Council, community and funding partners working together to benefit the local area.”
Dougal Thornton, Chair of Dunblane Development Trust, said “After years of campaigning and effort by the trust’s volunteers, the local community will be delighted that the reinstatement of this valued riverside walkway has now been completed.”
Terry Barlow, Chair of CSET, said: “As a locally based Trust helping communities to access and appreciate their heritage and environment are key criteria for the Trust when considering applications for funding. The restoration of the Riverside Walk in Dunblane, is an excellent example of a communities’ goal to restore what is important to their area, and CSET was delighted to be able to support this project.”
Work on Dunblane's Riverside Walk Complete
A partnership project between Dunblane Development Trust and Stirling Council has completed restoration work on a section of the collapsed Riverside Walk in Dunblane.
