Published on:
26
September 2024
The Council’s Active Travel path network has been extended with the recent completion of a new route linking Alva and Menstrie.
The £1.8 million project was delivered by the Council and funded by the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Transformation Fund.
The new active travel route was officially opened yesterday by Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP.
The new route follows the old railway line and provides a safe, user friendly, off-road link between the two communities which is lit at night, and fully accessible to disabled users.
The project included forming a biodiversity corridor along the new route, with Council land services staff working in some challenging, muddy conditions to plant 5,500 trees to create new hedgerows.
Councillor Fiona Law, spokesperson for the environment and net zero, said: “This latest, fantastic addition to our extensive Active Travel network creates a vital link between Alva and Menstrie.
“Active Travel routes aim to offer everyone in the community a safe and accessible way to commute and will hopefully encourage people making short to medium distance journeys to walk, cycle or wheel instead of driving.
“We hope this project can be a springboard to attract further investment in Active Travel and we can continue with our ambitious plans to extend and enhance our network.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to welcome the completion of the new walking, wheeling and cycling route between Alva and Menstrie during Scotland’s Climate Week. Funding of £1.8 million from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund has enabled Clackmannanshire Council to deliver an accessible route which will greatly benefit people and communities.
“This will make it easier for people to choose walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys – which is great for physical and mental health, our environment and will help save people money too.
“This project was funded as part of the £145 million already allocated to active travel this year. Our continued investment in projects like this, that we’re seeing right across the country, will encourage people to leave their cars at home and embrace a more active lifestyle for our health, wellbeing and climate.”
The Scottish Government’s Active Travel Transformation Fund provided £20 million directly to local authorities, regional transport partnerships and national park authorities – working in partnership with Transport Scotland – to deliver ambitious, construction-ready active travel infrastructure schemes across Scotland.