FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions.
Who is being consulted on the proposals?
Response: Stakeholders and members of the public. The project has been advertised through several events during the concept design phase and this phase of detailed design consultation has been advertised on social media, through a letter drop and via stakeholders. We are also hosting a number of focused consultation events with targeted local communities and online public drop in events.
What is the project and what is being consulted on?
Response: Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling is a project targeted to transform the city of Stirling into a more sustainable, vibrant and accessible place for everyone to live, work and visit. Two key transport corridors will be transformed to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle into the city centre.
Concept design was consulted on in 2020 and we are now consulting on the detailed design proposals.
Will I have other opportunities to respond?
Response: Once this engagement phase is finished, the WCLS team will continue to provide updates on the updated detailed design and construction phasing, as well as hosting fun, active travel themed events. We are always contactable via the following email address: walk-cycle-live@stirling.gov.uk
How is the project funded?
Response: WCLS was awarded £2.539m through Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal Active Travel Programme and is match funded by Sustrans Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, and funding through contributions from local development.
How have pedestrians and cyclists been considered and prioritised?
Response: One of the key aims of the project is to increase the number of journeys made on foot, by bike, by scooter or by wheelchair. To make walking more pleasant the designs propose widened pavements, controlled crossings and increased planting. To support cyclists the designs propose protected cycle ways and traffic calmed cycle streets.
What are the impacts of on-street parking?
Response: All blue badge holder parking and loading bays where required have been retained. Where necessary we have maintained all other existing parking.
How can I safely access the new cycleways when my street and the connecting routes are unsafe for cycling at the moment?
Response: This is the first Category 4 Places for Everyone project to be delivered by Sustrans and Stirling Council in the Stirlingshire region. There are other active travel projects in the process of being developed that will link into the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling, such as the City Centre South Masterplan and the Manor Powis project. Over time, we will continue to develop links to and from the route to ensure that it is as accessible as possible.
Why were these streets and routes selected?
Response: When considering the best route options, a STAG transport assessment on the impact of current and future traffic on network efficiency and the public realm in the city centre - ‘the Stirling city centre south: impact of current and future traffic on network efficiency and public realm’ (STAG 2010) - was undertaken in 2010 and refreshed in 2016. The area covered by the STAG was from the junction of the A811 and Millennium way, Albert Place, Dumbarton Road, Port Street, Wellgreen and the Craig’s roundabout. Both the original STAG and the refresh recommended the completion of the inner ring road and a package of sustainable travel improvements –
- Reclassification of the inner ring road route;
- Introduce travel plans;
- Introduce cycle routes;
- Introduce localised bus priority; and
- Enhance walking routes.
These routes were chosen as they joined the station and the town centre to key destinations and they have the capacity to support the infrastructure that is required to safely enable a large proportions of local journeys to shift from car to walking, wheeling and cycling.
Could this money be spent on something else?
Response: No. Funding from the City Region Deal and Sustrans Scotland’s infrastructure fund, Places for Everyone, has to be spent on the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project.
What is the timeline for construction?
Response: The current timeline is for construction to begin in late Summer 2021 for a period of two years. Works will be phased throughout the two year period.
Have the impacts on traffic been considered?
Response: During the design process, detailed traffic modelling based on existing and predicted traffic flows have been completed to ensure our proposals allow traffic flows to work within the current capacity.
How will you ensure traffic is reduced sufficiently to create a safe environment for cyclists on the cycle streets?
Response: In order to ensure the routes are not compromised and vehicular traffic is significantly reduced, we will monitor traffic levels on all cycle streets. At present we are considering the best option for each of the streets, these may include give-way build outs, modal filtering, bus gates and rumble strips.
Are the materials being used sustainable and will they continue to be available for future maintenance and repairs?
Response: We will be using durable, high quality materials that are sustainably sourced. We will create an Asset Management Plan that details the maintenance and repair requirements of the routes as well as how this will be funded.
Will the routes be maintained so they still look good and function well in 10 years’ time?
Response: As part of the funding agreement between Stirling Council and Sustrans, the project commits to maintenance for 15 years from the project’s completion date. We aim to procure and store extra materials for maintenance purposes so anything needing replaced can be done like for like with no unduly delays. We will prepare a project Asset Management Plan. We would like to include the routes in winter maintenance plans for gritting when icy and monitor whether leaf clearance is necessary in the autumn.
Does the project consider planning proposals in the area?
Response: Yes. We have been working with developers and the Council’s planning department to ensure there is overlap in design intentions and programmes are complementary in timing to prevent any undue issues. This has included the Orchard House development at Customs Roundabout and the new Robertsons housing development in Raploch.
Does the project meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010?
Response: An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) will be regularly updated for the project. This will identify relevant policy, gather evidence and document stakeholder engagement to assess impacts on users from a range of protected characteristics.
How will we be updated on the results of the consultation and the project’s progress?
Response: As has been done for concept design, we will publish comments gathered from consultation and how we have taken these forward into designs for construction on our webpage.