Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project - Updated Reports
Argyll and Bute Council · 3 June 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 3 June 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Bute and Cowal Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 03 June 2025 Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project: Updated Reports 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. This report updates members in relation to amendments made to the “Rothesay, Pavilion to Albert Pier Car Park Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Options Feasibility Report” and “Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Engagement Report” documents for the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project as requested by this Committee on 04 March 2025. 1.2. Further to the work reported on the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project and previous work to develop a concept design for a route linking Rothesay Ferry Terminal to the Rothesay Joint Campus, Officers have submitted an application to Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund 2025/26 for funding to enable these two concept designs to be progressed developed design stage. This would be for a T-shaped route linking Rothesay Pavilion, Rothesay Ferry Terminal, Albert Pier and Rothesay Joint Campus, including other key destination along the B833 High Street. The application excludes the potential extension between Albert Pier and The Glenburn Hotel as this did not receive community support from those who responded to the consultation. 1.3. Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund requires the submission of a length and detailed competitive application for each individual project, with every individual project competing against every other project from across Scotland for the limited funding available. Is expected the fund be significantly oversubscribed due to the number of high value projects being progressed across Scotland and will therefore be highly competitive. If funding is awarded, it is only for a single financial year and a new competitive application requires to be submitted each financial year and compete against all submissions in that year. As such, there is no guarantee that this or any other application submitted for projects within Argyll and Bute will be successful in any given financial year, and having previously secured funding for a project does not guarantee that funding will be secured for that project in future years. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.4. It is recommended that the Bute and Cowal members: 1.4.1. Approve the amendments made to the initial feasibility and concept design reports for the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Bute and Cowal Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 03 June 2025 Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project: Updated Reports 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1. This report updates members in relation to amendments made to the “Rothesay, Pavilion to Albert Pier Car Park Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Options Feasibility Report” and “Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Engagement Report” documents for the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project as requested by this Committee on 04 March 2025. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. It is recommended that the Bute and Cowal members: 3.1.1. Approve the amendments made to the initial feasibility and concept design reports for the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1. Rothesay, Pavilion to Albert Pier Car Park Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Options Feasibility Report has been updated to correct the following points. 4.1.1. Conservation Area (p.7): updated to reflect Rothesay’s many examples of Victorian design and conservation. 4.1.2. Direction of Travel (p.9): traffic survey data referenced in relation to the travel direction of vehicles leaving the CALMAC Ferry Terminal. 4.1.3. Land Ownership (p.13): updated to reflect Visit Scotland ownership of the Discovery Centre and Council ownership of the Putting Greens, Flower Beds and Promenade. 4.1.4. Loading and Servicing (p.33): updated to reflect the need for businesses on Victoria Street (A846) to use frontage access for loading and servicing. 4.1.5. Parking (p.50): table and associated text updated in line with final concept design.
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4.2. Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Stage 1&2 Combined, Engagement Report was updated to more accurately reflect the stated position of Bute Community Council. 4.3. Further to the work reported on the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project and previous work to develop a concept design for a route linking Rothesay Ferry Terminal to the Rothesay Joint Campus, Officers have submitted an application to Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund 2025/26 for funding to enable these two concept designs to be progressed developed design stage. This would be for a T-shaped route linking Rothesay Pavilion, Rothesay Ferry Terminal, Albert Pier and Rothesay Joint Campus, including other key destination along the B833 High Street. The application excludes the potential extension between Albert Pier and The Glenburn Hotel as this did not receive community support from those who responded to the consultation. 4.4. Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund requires the submission of a length and detailed competitive application for each individual project, with every individual project competing against every other project from across Scotland for the limited funding available. Is expected the fund be significantly oversubscribed due to the number of high value projects being progressed across Scotland and will therefore be highly competitive. If funding is awarded, it is only for a single financial year and a new competitive application requires to be submitted each financial year and compete against all submissions in that year. As such, there is no guarantee that this or any other application submitted for projects within Argyll and Bute will be successful in any given financial year, and having previously secured funding for a project does not guarantee that funding will be secured for that project in future years. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1. The reports submitted to the Bute and Cowal Area Committee on 04 March 2025 have been updated to take account of the amendments requested by this Committee. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1. Policy Completion of this project will support the Council’s Outcomes Improvement Plan outcomes 1: Transport Infrastructure and 3: Community Wellbeing. The project also supports achievement of the Scottish Government’s objectives set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) and Let’s Get Scotland Walking - The National Walking Strategy. 6.2. Financial The design and construction is planned to be funded by external funding applications. To date, the Council has not contributed any funding to design or capital costs. There is strong evidence that people who are more active, for example by walking or cycling, have been physical and mental health and are less likely to require
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social care services in later life which could result in a future saving to the Council or HSCP. 6.3. Legal Continued input will be required from Legal Services to support contractual agreements and Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) should these be necessary. 6.4. HR None. 6.5. Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities Completion of this project will provide opportunities for all in Rothesay to travel more sustainably and actively by walking, wheeling and cycling. This is particularly important to the 41% of households in Rothesay (2022 Census) don’t have access to a motor vehicle. The route has been designed to be DDA compliant and will provide a safe and accessible route for those with mobility aids including wheelchairs and parents/guardians with a child’s pram or buggy. 6.5.2 Socio- economic Duty The route, once completed, will offer residents the opportunity to choose to travel using active travel, which are lower cost than alternative modes of transport. The route will also improve access to essential services, retail, leisure and employment opportunities for residents living along the route, with studies demonstrating those who travelled actively had a higher monthly spend in local businesses than those who travel via motorised transport. The route will also offer opportunities for individuals to travel for leisure, again encouraging spend in local businesses along and connected by the route. 6.5.3 Islands There are no adverse impacts. 6.6. Climate Change Active Travel is the least carbon intensive mode of travel. Providing the opportunity for residents and visitors to consider an alternative to having to use a private car to travel for essential journeys will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint. 6.7. Risk There is a reputational risk to the Council if the project is not completed within a reasonable timeframe. 6.8. Customer Services None.
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6.9. The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Active travel is the most accessible mode of travel to young people, as it does not have any minimum age limits, does not require any form of licence, is free to use and is not tied to any fixed timetable. All new active travel infrastructure is designed to be utilised by an unaccompanied 12 year old. Engagement feedback demonstrates support for the delivery of the improvements from younger members of the community. Wider engagement with school pupils indicates that the majority of pupils across Argyll and Bute strongly support the provision of new active travel infrastructure, even where it would adversely impact other modes of transport. Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead: Cllr John Armour 12 May 2025 For further information contact: Colin Young Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer Colin.Young@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01546 604275 Appendix 1: Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Stage 1 & 2, Options Feasibility Report Appendix 2: Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Stage 1 & 2, Engagement Report