COMMUNITIES have issued a call to action to the authorities behind a proposed cycle path project linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.
A petition with more than 1,600 signatures was sent to Argyll and Bute Council, walking and cycling charity Sustrans, and the Scottish Government’s transport secretary, Michael Matheson, this week as residents from the towns and village demand “no further slippages” in the scheme which now spans three decades.
Organisers of the petition - Cardross CAN (Climate Action Network) - say it provides evidence that the path is much needed and will be very well used.
Heather Munro said: “Many in this community have campaigned for the cycle path for years, and this petition now shows the huge scale of the support for it.
“We understand that in the next month the council will be applying for the next round of funding for the work. Also, the contractor, WSP, is now at the stage of designing the route, before approaching the landowners to agree the best outcome for all.
“We are aware that, for some landowners, the construction of the cycle path will involve a sacrifice, and so we hope the strength of local support for the path will help the landowners to know that this is greatly appreciated by so many.”
READ MORE: Petition calls for 'no further delays' to Helensburgh-Dumbarton cycle path
Design work is now under way for part of the route between Colgrain and Cardross, running alongside the railway line, and also for the stretch between Cardross and Dumbarton.
Further community engagement will take place before a preferred route is identified linking Hermitage Academy and Helensburgh town centre.
The full project is scheduled for completion by 2026/2027 - more than 20 years since it was first proposed.
Branding the lack of an active travel path an “embarrassment” in such a busy commuter area, the petition called for strong public support to send a clear message that “the community really need and will use this path” – and respondents delivered.
In public comments attached to the online petition, Elizabeth McNee said it is “essential this cycle path is completed to save lives” following the death of cyclist Colin McCourt on the A814 in November.
Ruth Giffen said her husband is a cyclist but “the road is too risky to use” and the new cycle path would be a “great green initiative for Argyll and Bute”.
READ MORE: Renewed calls for cycle path completion after Cardross crash tragedy
Danielle Gordon said: “Cycling has become an integral part of society during lockdown, and a new-found hobby for many, in addition to being a great way of keeping young and old alike active.”
Others said it would boost tourism numbers in the area and would complete the missing link in the cycling network.
Cardross resident Mark Ryan said: “The failure to complete this cycle path is an embarrassment to the council who have failed to move this forward over many years.
“My children have grown up in the village with no opportunities for safe cycling beyond very limited boundaries.
“They will be adults by the proposed completion and I have very little confidence that the project will deliver even by then.
“The health and social impacts of the failure are large and have now sadly been compounded with loss of life.
“I hope that this petition will demonstrate the anger of local communities at the inaction of the council and they will finally accept responsibility for delivering this sorely needed facility.”
READ MORE: Transport Scotland outlines priorities to improve connectivity in Helensburgh and Lomond
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said the local authority “remain[s] focussed on providing a dedicated, high quality, accessible walking and cycle route”.
They added: “We awarded the design contract for the full route of the cycle path at the end of last year. The consultants are contacting landowners at the moment to get permission to carry out technical surveys of the proposed route. Designs will be finished by summer 2021.
“The original project, to link Helensburgh with the National Park was completed. This separate project has needed partner funding to complete every stage.
“While providing cycle paths is not a service the council is obliged to provide, we work hard to develop them in Argyll and Bute by successfully winning competitive funding bids and gaining the support of local landowners.”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “We recognise the importance of local schemes like this in providing more opportunities for communities to use active travel for their everyday journeys.
“That’s why the Scottish Government is investing record sums in active travel and has committed over £500 million over five years to enable delivery partners to build infrastructure projects that will encourage people to walk, wheel and cycle more often.
“We are working closely with local authorities to help deliver projects more quickly, including making changes to reduce the match funding required for our Place for Everyone programme from 50 per cent to 30 per cent.”
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