On Monday, work began on the most recent stage of Stirling’s active travel plan, linking Wallace High School with Bridge of Allan.
Like earlier cycle lane construction projects in the city, costs are expected to be covered by Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure fund. Work will take place over two phases, starting in Bridge of Allan.
Beginning where the current designated cycle lane finishes, just after the high school, a new lane separating pedestrians and cyclists will drop down into the farmland to the left of Airthrey Road. The lane will be lit up to assure safety for its users at all hours.
The route will rejoin Airthrey Road just before the roundabout at the university’s main entrance, where it will thin out into a shared space for pedestrians and cyclists. A new toucan crossing after the roundabout will allow users onto campus.
Beyond the university, the route must navigate past the entrance into Graham’s Dairy. Cyclists and pedestrians have priority here due to changes in the highway code in 2022, but additional signage is planned to assure safety.
The route will then join Keir Street on the left, avoiding the busy main road to Bridge of Allan. There will not be a dedicated cycle lane in this final section, but the road will be given a profile which promotes considerate driving and shared usage.
What do people think?
The project should be welcome news to students who walk or cycle to campus, who must currently navigate the thin shared pavement on Airthrey Road if travelling from Stirling and a thin path separated by bollards when travelling in the opposite direction.
However, Adam, a third year economics student who regularly cycles to campus from Stirling, was unsure whether the scheme was necessary. He said that they ought to have saved money by constructing on the existing carriageway and that there was a more pressing need for cycle lanes in other parts of the city. Adam commutes to work along Drip Road in Raploch and favoured a cycle lane there, since for him the existing cycle route around the back of the castle is impractical.
A route which doesn’t leave Airthrey Road and continues on the carriageway was considered by the council but was ruled out due to spatial restrictions.
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache, who leads the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, said that the route “will give residents and visitors the option to walk or cycle to reach work, schools, parks, shops, university or college, public transport hubs, attractions and other destinations”.
Designs for a route in the south of Stirling, linking Bannockburn and St Ninians to the city centre are being agreed upon. Meanwhile, public consultation on a route along the A811 in the direction of Gargunnock and Drymen took place in spring. Previous reporting by Brig covered has covered discontent over the lack of active travel options on this busy road into Stirling.
Temporary restrictions are already in place on Keir Street and the project is due to be completed in late Autumn 2027.
Featured Image Credit: Frank Baker
