The project is funded by a Local Authority Direct Award for Active Travel from Transport Scotland. The funding cannot be used for other purposes and must be used on cycle/ walking improvements. The project is not being funded by Argyll and Bute Council.
The study funding has been allocated by the current elected Scottish government to support and encourage travel behaviour change through the promotion of active travel. The funding is ringfenced for this purpose only and cannot be used for any other purpose.
Active travel means a mode of transport which involves physical activity to get from one destination to another – including travel to and from the places we live, work, learn, visit and play. Active travel includes walking, wheeling (including wheelchair and scooter use) and cycling, with several benefits. It’s good for health as it’s a way of being active within your normal daily routine. It can also be quicker than taking the car, reduce congestion, lower air pollution, and save money on fuel, running costs and parking compared to driving.
The purpose of this consultation is to give the community a final opportunity to comment on the proposed design.
The location was identified in the 2016 Rethink the Link Charrette as part of a community desire to see a better cycling link between Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead.
This is the last public consultation in the process prior to the scheme being constructed. Feedback from this consultation will be used to refine or validate the detailed design.
This stage of the process will focus on value engineering the design to minimise capital cost and increase the likelihood of the scheme being constructed.
We believe the design stages will be complete by March 2026. Construction will then depend on Argyll and Bute Council securing additional funding for the construction stage of the project.
Following discussion with stakeholders, this has been moved to better align with desire lines and to ensure increased usage of the crossing.
The historic canal ramp was considered as an option for the route, however the existing canal ramp was deemed a more cost effective option.
The route alignment decision is complicated and considers a number of factors including cost, stakeholder agreement and ecological impacts. The promoted road aligned route reflects the best balance of all these considerations.
The existing road bridge is being retained unchanged, which will result in a narrowing of the route.
This is to provide a connection point for any future routes that may be created across the Corran Grazings.
Both projects are working together and will complement one another.