Rothesay: Concept Path Plan
Client
Argyll and Bute Council
Sector
Active Travel / Travel Behaviour Change
Location
Rothesay, Scotland
Planning Authority
Argyll and Bute Council
Services Provided
Study Description
Contract awarded via competitive process, we were appointed a the contract lead for a multi-specialist team to undertake the concept designs (stage 0-2) of a 3km active travel route along the frontage of this historic coastal town between the Pavilion (being refurbished) and Albert Pier car park.
The route corridor is exceptionally wide to the east and includes a promenade popular with tourists during the summer months. The presence of the ferry terminal and access junction can be challenging to traverse with the inner harbour and frontage buildings limiting the corridor width to the west.
The route is envisaged to be the first of many that will link up to improve walking and cycling provision to and across the town.
Our Approach
As contract lead, we appointed a local supply chain of specialists including engineers and landscape architects to support the concept design process. We proactively sought to identify the barriers to sustainable design, focusing on behaviour change and seeking to understand the barriers and opportunities to promote everyday walking and cycling route along with he communities views regarding overall lack of parking provision and road safety concerns due to alack of crossing points. Strong views were expressed relating to avoiding any change to the front green area with concerns being raised regarding the need for a cycle route.
We deployed a wide range of supporting services including the use of bespoke apps and Virtual Engagement Hub, organising pop up events and virtual flythrough modelling to support community engagement.
Key Successes
• ‘Art of the possible’ options exploring behaviour change challenges before concept network development.
• Proportionate approach to route design along sensitive coastal location.
• Improvement of crossing provision and enhancement to ferry terminal junction.
• Developing a design that retains existing heel kerbs and minimises drainage impacts, avoids the front green and complies with relevant design standards.
• Improving overall parking capacity.
• Redesign of the Albert Pier Car Park to improve parking capacity and coach access.
• Deployment of bespoke engagement tools and processes achieving high level of community engagement.
• Production of video flythrough video.
• Production of bespoke project infomercials and project podcast.