Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP announced that the Council’s proposal, titled ‘Walk, Cycle, Live’, will be awarded a grant of up to 50 per cent of the total project costs. The five project have been awarded grants totaling £22,540,360 from Transport Scotland funds of which Stirling’s share is £2.7M. The grants will be delivered through Sustrans Scotland.
Today (Tuesday 19 September) at an event outside the Albert Halls, Stirling Council staff gathered with the local community to welcome the success and discuss the project.
Environment and Housing Convenor Jim Thomson said, “We have big ambitions for growth in Stirling. We are a prime investment area for tourism, business and leisure. Our ambitious plans are not just about bringing new cycle lanes to the city – we are committed to helping change how people in our communities travel and to improving our neighbourhoods.
“Our Community Links plans will put in place visible, high quality cycling and pedestrian networks that will enhance our wonderful city. We look forward to working closely with communities to deliver these plans.”
The Council’s plans build on the proposals contained within the City Region Deal and the Local Transport Strategy, and have been developed in consultation with local communities.”
Our bid included proposals for:
- Two high quality walking and cycling routes, one to the university and one a green ribbon to take residents and visitors to the future City Park.
- Placemaking with communities to give the routes an identity and character of their own.
- Streetscaping projects, working with communities on the routes along Dunster Road, Cowane Street and in Raploch to make their streets places for all the family.
- A ‘Smart Choices’ programme with the Cycle Hub, to help people walk and cycle for work, learning and pleasure to wherever they need to go.
Run by Sustrans and funded by the Scottish Government, the competition delivers pioneering and game-changing projects which inspire public bodies in Scotland to design better places and spaces for people to live, walk and cycle in for everyday journeys.
Sustrans Scotland Deputy Director for Built Environment Daisy Narayanan said: “Funding all five final projects is a bold step towards a healthier, more sustainable and vibrant Scotland which designs places around the needs of people over vehicular access.
“The Community Links PLUS proposals were so impressive this year that the panel felt strongly that all the five final proposals should become a reality. We thank the Minster for Transport and the Islands for taking the unprecedented step of committing to fund each of the five finalists.
“With the backing of Transport Scotland, Sustrans will now work in partnership with all four local authorities to turn their pioneering visions into reality. These five exemplar projects will demonstrate the wide ranging benefits that well designed places bring, such as boosting footfall for local business, improving the health of local people and creating safer environments that are more pleasant to live in and move through.”
Success for Stirling in Community Links PLUS competition
Stirling Council’s ambitious proposal to create a world class active travel culture and network has been successful in the final judging of the Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links PLUS (CLPLUS) competition.
