A RECENT rise in cycling figures during the Covid-19 pandemic has strengthened the case for the proposed Helensburgh to Dumbarton cycle track, a councillor has claimed.

Helensburgh and Lomond South councillor David Kinniburgh has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the planned path, which first attracted government backing in the early 2000s.

Its projected completion date was recently pushed back by a further three years, with the full path not now planned to be finished until 2027.

READ MORE: Cycle path 'may not be complete until 2027', report to councillors reveals

Cycling Scotland recently reported a 16 per cent increase in bicycles passing its automatic counter in the Helensburgh area.

This put the town in the top 10 places to have seen an increase in the number of bikes compared to the same time last year.

Councillor Kinniburgh said: “I think the increase in figures from Cycling Scotland show that individuals are turning to cycling as their chosen form of exercise during the current restrictions.

READ MORE: Helensburgh in Scotland's top 10 as country turns to cycling during lockdown

“I suspect from what I have witnessed that the majority of those responsible for the increase are the type of cyclists who would use a cycle path if it were available, rather than the road, which serious road cycling enthusiasts tend to use even when a cycle path is available.

“So I believe that the increase in figures show that the proposed cycle path from Helensburgh to Dumbarton would be used by many who under normal circumstances would avoid cycling on main roads.”

At the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee meeting last month, frustrated councillors compared the delay in construction of the cycle path to the length of time taken to build the Great Wall of China.

READ MORE: Helensburgh bike shop 'delighted' to see cycling on the up

A report for the meeting stated that construction of a short stretch linking Cardross station with Geilston Burn could be started in the spring.

However, Councillor Kinniburgh added: “I am especially keen to see the path from Helensburgh to Cardross completed as there are sections of it which have already been delivered.

“However, the next section which the funding is in place for from Cardross Station to the Geilston Burn, which was due to be completed by spring 2020, has been paused due to the current Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.”

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