How can we improve?

In the interest of safety a reduction in the speed limit along Causewayhead road is a clear and obvious quick win. Regardless of the quality (or lack of) current cycle routes on Causewayhead road cyclists wil continue to use the road due to it being the most direct route in both directions, however an improvement in this regard to clear soeerarion of cycle route and road, coupled with the reduced speed limit, will be of a huge benefit.

The option to make Dunster Road exit only at the Causewayhead end is a great idea, as at present it is used as a rat run and people do speed on this section. As a keen cyclist Option 1 is the logical choice providing a link with the next bike station. I can understand that Option 2 may be easier to implement but the sheer number of islands seems like overkill. Traffic calming would definitely be welcome but the island positions at Ballater Drive and Dunster Road along with Ochill Road and Dunster Road, will mean it becomes nigh on impossible for residents to get a decent "cut" in a car to get in and out of their driveways (especially if there are allocated spaces as marked on the plan). To get into our driveways we need to be able to approach from effectively the wrong side of the road and this layout would therefore restrict this (at these particular points). The problem could be avoided by simply putting full width speed bumps at these points instead of islands. I'd also say emphasise full width as the ones with channels simply mean people still just speed down the middle of the road without having to slow down. The greatest congestion at this end of the street is caused by parental drop offs for the school. Parents park across residents driveways every day and up until now the council has not addressed this. Clear "no parking" markings across driveways are a must have along with ensuring this becomes a no drop off/pick up zone and people use the actual areas created at the school.

Causewayhead Road, though both plans could be improved. Both roads seem to have too many proposed obstacles, though speed limits for wheeled vehicles are to be welcomed. As far as possible road users should be allowed to move freely whether it's pedestrians or emergency vehicles, and everybody in between. The cycle path will inevitably go past my front door at the town end of Causewayhead Road and there are proposed bumps there to add to the noise and pollution as drivers either don't slow down or are constantly speeding up and slowing down. I don't think there's been enough attention to the needs of buses and their users.

There needs to be a clear indication as to how either scheme will tie in with the proposed Ladysneuk Road / Mannor Powis improvement to NCN76. There is a gap between Ladysneuk Road and Wallace High School that needs to be completed. This will provide access to the school and university for those travelling from Riverside / Cambuskenneth and further afield towards Clackmannan. It must be considered in conjunction with the design finalisation to the works at Causewayhead Roundabout.

I think the plans are a great start to getting Stirling upgraded to a cycle friendly city. As a Causewayhead resident who would be directly impacted by these proposals (as a resident, car driver and cyclist) I am in full support of any improvement measures along Causewayhead Road together with commensurate measures on Dunster Road etc to ensure there is no overspill of traffic. Key recommendations would be: 1 - Reducing the speed limit on Causewayhead Road is an absolute minimum requirement in my view as it is currently used as a race-track by many and at busier times this would potentially reduce standing traffic at the traffic lights. It certainly won't slow journey times at peak times since they don't get up to 20 mph anyway. It would however make it safer for cyclists. 2 - The 20 mph zone should be extended up to the Wallace High School roundabout and to the east end of Causewayhead Park on Alloa Road to improve pedestrian safety at the roundabout and associated crossings. 3- The current cycle lanes on Causewayhead Road are inadequate and plenty of cyclists use both Causewayhead Road and Dunster Road so improvements to both should be undertaken. I have had to step out into the carriageway many times when walking up Causewayhead Road to avoid cyclists. I agree with others that Dunster Road may not require the full boulevard treatment if access and speed restrictions are put in place. I hope these improvements go ahead and I would be a big fan of the cycling route out to Blair Drummond and other local tourist attractions, as is done in other countries).

Dunster Road is the safest option for this proposal but I'm not sure it needs quite as much traffic-calming infrastructure. The road is currently quiet and easy to cycle/walk down. The only thing it really needs is for it to be the priority direction of travel (no give ways) and for the connection to Causewayhead Road to be improved. There needs to be a guarantee that the cycleway on Causewayhead Road will be wide enough for cyclists to use safely alongside pedestrians and that it is clearly separated from road users (like it is on Cornton Road in Bridge of Allan). The additional crossings in the proposals look like good ideas and a 20mph speed limit would be sensible (it should be spread across all urban areas).

Family cycling (cargo bikes/trikes, and bicycles with trailers) need to be taken into account when building cycle lanes if we really want people to choose to cycle more. Currently the cycle lane on Causewayhead road is too narrow for trike/trailers, forcing the cyclist to either be in the road a bit, or have a tyre in the gutter (increasing the risk of punctures, as the very edge of the road is always filled with debris). So Dunster road may be better for family cycling unless the bike path on Causewayhead road can be wide enough. But if Stirling council really wants to be a cycle friendly city, safe, wide, dedicated cycle paths on (or very close to) major routes is essential.

I would prefer to see the cycle route on Dunster Road with some improvements for pedestrians on Causewayhead Road including the crossing points which are proposed. Crossing particularly needed west of Causewayhead Roundabout as this is quite dangerous to cross with traffic coming off the roundabout. I don't see the need for narrowing of Dunster Road as there is not an issue with traffic speeding and cycling on the road already feels safe. No problem with additional street trees. The idea of changing the priority of the side roads so Dunster Road is a continuous route for cyclists is a good one (I can see this might then require some traffic calming as the side roads crossings provide some speed calming at the moment). I would be afraid that the slowing of Causewayhead Road to 20 mph with traffic calming would cause increased traffic congestion - cars do not have alternative routes to access the City Centre from Bridge of Allan so will continue to use the road, so queues will build up. I don't see the need for less than 30 mph on this road. The preference for cycle routes on Causewayhead Road would be a segregated two way route beside the footway, rather than a shared footway.