Sustainable Mobility Strategy
Transport in the Climate and Nature Emergency
Transport is a key priority within our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan and this Sustainable Mobility Strategy (SMS) sets out bold but realistic proposals to meet our transport emissions reduction targets.
Emissions from the transport sector have remained largely unchanged over the last decade. We need concerted effort to bring about a sustainable transport system that is an attractive and viable for people and that also accounts for our rural contexts.
We know people are willing to change how, when and where they travel. We need to meet people’s willingness to change.
Reaching the government’s target of a reduction in vehicle miles will be challenging. However, we believe with the right actions, supported by appropriate levels of investment, and in partnership with our residents and businesses, Stirling can make a strong contribution towards achieving it.
Stirling Council has made great progress across sustainable transport in recent years, notably the delivery of our flagship active travel routes to the College and University, a significant increase in the number of cycling journeys, and the launch of our Council-run bus service the C60. We are developing active travel schemes at pace as part of the Forthside regeneration, supported by Levelling Up funding from the UK government.
This SMS represents and facilitates the next stage in our journey. It is grounded in the recognition that transport is not just transport: it is health; it is economic wellbeing; and it is social connection. Getting it right is foundational to building a Stirling where everyone can thrive.
The draft Strategy can be accessed at the bottom of this page by clicking on the link.
If you have any questions about the survey you can contact us at transportplanning@stirling.gov.uk
Our Vision
A fair and clean transport system for everyone in our region that benefits people and place while protecting the planet
Why do we need this strategy?
Stirling Council formally recognised the climate and nature emergency in October 2019 and adopted a Climate and Nature Emergency (CaNE) Plan in 2021, setting out how the Council will support the transition to net zero. Transport is the single biggest source of carbon emissions in Stirling. Unlike other sectors, total emissions from transport have remained relatively unchanged over the last decade. Action is needed to minimise the number of journeys powered by fossil fuels. This Sustainable Mobility Strategy (SMS) provides a pathway for shifting journeys away from fossil fuels. This SMS also links with our Local Development Plan (LDP), which sets out the sites and scale of future development.
What is sustainable mobility?
Sustainable mobility is a transport system that is environmentally friendly, economically efficient, and safe, accessible, and affordable. It includes public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling, while recognising there is also a place for driving, particularly in rural areas.
Our vision for transport in the Stirling area
“A fair and clean transport system for everyone in our region that benefits people and place while protecting the planet”.
Priorities
Our priorities for transport, as set out in the CaNE Plan and adopted in this SMS, are to:
- Make every trip in the Stirling area net zero carbon.
- Make walking and cycling easy, safe, and attractive travel options.
- Help enable an effective, affordable public transport network.
- Maximise sustainable choices for all.
Where we will focus our action
The Council will lead by example and will develop action plans to shift staff commuting and operational travel to sustainable modes. Four action plans will accompany this SMS spanning the main modes of transport in our sustainable mobility system:
- Active travel – we will develop urban and rural active travel routes and connections to them, provide more cycle parking and help with access to cycles and training.
- Public transport – we will support decarbonisation of the bus fleet, explore options for delivering more bus services in-house, and make the case for a new station at Bannockburn/Cowie.
- Vehicles – we will identify sites for additional public electric vehicle chargers, review our parking permit charges, and develop a plan for transitioning all Council fleet vehicles to zero emissions.
- Freight – we will work with partners on deliveries and servicing consolidation, support the uptake of zero emission freight vehicles and will review the rules for using on-street loading bays. We will explore opportunities to expand rail freight.
- Prioritise investment using a demand-led approach
- Design and develop projects with our communities
- Meet national and local design standards
- Commit to learning and continuous improvement
- Manage disruption during construction
- Continue to care for and maintain transport infrastructure
- Reduce the carbon impact of infrastructure and construction
- Build in sustainable travel to new development
- Update planning guidance for active travel
Phases
Analysis
After the survey has closed, we will use this time to read and analyse what we've heard to shape our proposals. We will feedback on the outcomes and next steps here.
Upcoming and ongoing events
Past events
Event date: July 3rd, 2025 from 16:00 to 18:00.
Fallin Library
Event date: July 2nd, 2025 from 14:30 to 17:00.
Killin Library
Event date: June 30th, 2025 from 14:00 to 17:00.
Central Library
Event date: June 26th, 2025 from 16:30 to 19:00.
Balfron Library
Event date: June 19th, 2025 from 16:30 to 19:00.
Callander Library