South Stirling’s proposed cycle routes revealed – and what locals think

A plan to extend Stirling’s network of cycle and pedestrian paths south of the city centre has been revealed.

Stirling Council has designed four additional routes that link together, as well as joining up with the existing active travel paths.

The proposed St Ninian’s link and Burghmuir Road path run between the city centre and St Ninian’s Roundabout.

The suggested Glasgow Road route and Bannockburn link begin at the same roundabout.

The council said: “These routes will enable people to walk, wheel or cycle to school, work and for recreation on high quality, safe infrastructure.”

Its aim is “connecting communities in the south of Stirling” with each other, as well as the city centre.

Residents are being encouraged to share their views on the plans and make suggestions via a survey on Stirling Council’s website until August 1.

Calls for better links and more rental bikes

Questions put to members of the public by the local authority include: “Would you support the removal of on-street parking in an area if it meant higher, quality infrastructure?” and “Are there any areas where you find it difficult to cross the road, currently?”

Some locals have already raised concerns or put forward additional ideas for the south Stirling active travel routes.

One respondent said the city’s existing cycle paths don’t currently flow together sufficiently.

They wrote: “We need to get away from a design philosophy of ‘strategic routes’ which never join up and start designing a ‘network’ that links up.”

Another argued that cycle paths located away from main roads could solve related issues, including the loss of parking spaces.

Several comments highlighted Shirra’s Brae as a problematic spot that could be improved for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists.

One respondent suggested creating a cycle route along the Bannock Burn, linking Bannockburn to Whins of Milton.

They added: “This would also be useful for the new housing schemes being built at South Stirling Gateway.”

And one person called for additional bike rental stations to be installed across Stirling.

• You can have your say on the south Stirling active travel plans until August 1

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