Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Progress Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 3 December 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 3 December 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Bute and Cowal Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 03 December 2024 Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Progress Report 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. This report updates members on progress made in relation to initial feasibility and concept design of improved active opportunities and wider public realm infrastructure between the Rothesay Pavilion and the Albert Pier / Glenburn Hotel. 1.2. To date, all work on the Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel project has been externally funded via the Scottish Government’s Active Travel fund. This highly competitive funding is ring fenced by the Scottish Government for active travel projects which fit the criteria set by the Scottish Government, and cannot be spent on any other activities. For clarity, no Council funding have been expended or committed to this project. 1.3. The design team have undertaken community engagement during both of the completed design stages, in February/March 2024 and again in August/September 2024. 1.4. The project commenced focusing on the area between the Rothesay Pavilion and the Albert Pier. A total of 40 survey responses were received to the initial consultation in February/March 2024, with 61 individuals attending the public event. 11% of respondents indicated that a traffic free route would encourage them to walk or cycle more. Discussions with attendees indicated a desire for the improvements to extend further east than the Albert Pier. Officers therefore extended the scope of the following concept design stage to include exploring options for improvements between the Albert Pier to in front of the Glenburn Hotel. 1.5. A potential concept design was developed for the area between the Rothesay Pavilion and the Glenburn Hotel taking account of the comments received to the first consultation and sought to balance access and space for all users equitably. To achieve this the design seeks to (a) ensure the A844 continues to function as a key route including for HGVs and PSVs in line with current design standards; (b) retain and where possible enhance existing on street parking provision; (c) reduce traffic speeds in key locations to increase pedestrian crossing opportunities; (d) increase space and accessibility for pedestrians; and, (e) provide dedicated space for cyclists (a key funder requirement). The proposals also sought to improve wider pedestrian accessibility with a new ramp over the seawall between the Victorian Toilets and the Discovery Centre, as well as proposing renewal of all surfacing and lining along the A844.
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1.6. A second community consultation was held in August/September 2024 on the initial concept design proposals. A total of 625 survey responses were received to the concept design consultation, with 110 individuals attending the public event and 19 individuals attending the follow-up meeting hosted by Rothesay Community Council. 10% of the survey responses received agreed that the design proposed were appropriate for improving walking, wheeling, cycling and future mobility, the same percentage also considered that the designs was aligned with the needs of the community. It was also noted that 51% of the surveys received included comments beyond the scope of the project and/or funding which indicated that the respondent had not understood the proposals and/or funding constraints. 1.7. The consultation also generated an active social media interest, disappointingly some of which was vitriolic in nature, on both the project and community social media pages. While a useful communication tool, it is recognised that social media comments do not always represent a balanced view of the whole of society, and in this case, the conversation was dominated by a relatively small number of vocal individuals, some of whom appeared to be poorly informed in relation to this specific project. The majority of comments posted either misunderstood the project funding (e.g. that the funding isn’t ‘council’ money and is ring fenced for active travel), misunderstood the purpose of consultation (e.g. considered the project to be a ‘done deal’) or opposed the project. Concerns around on-street car parking, particularly in the vicinity of Battery Place, were also a reoccurring theme. 1.8. The design is currently at Concept Design (stage 2) of the Transport Scotland Places for Everyone (PFE) programme 4-stage design process; (1) Feasibility; (2) Concept Design; (3) Developed Design; and, (4) Technical Design. All design stages require to be completed before the designs are at a constructible standard. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.9. It is recommended that the Bute and Cowal members: 1.9.1. Welcome the design progress made to date in relation to identifying opportunities to improve the active opportunities and wider public realm infrastructure. 1.9.2. Instruct Officers to undertake Developed Design and Technical Design stages to complete the design process, subject to securing external funding. 1.9.3. Instruct Officers to provide a future paper to members on completion of the design process prior to any construction.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Bute and Cowal Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 03 December 2024 Rothesay Pavilion to Albert Pier Active Travel Project Progress Report 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1. This report updates members on progress made in relation to initial feasibility and concept design of improved walking and cycling opportunities between the Rothesay Pavilion and the Albert Pier / Glenburn Hotel. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. It is recommended that the Bute and Cowal members: 3.1.1. Welcome the design progress made to date in relation to identifying opportunities to improve the active opportunities and wider public realm infrastructure. 3.1.2. Instruct Officers to undertake Developed Design and Technical Design stages to complete the design process, subject to securing external funding. 3.1.3. Instruct Officers to provide a future paper to members on completion of the design process prior to any construction. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1. The Council’s Active Travel Team, 1.7 FTE (Full Time Equivalent employees), is part of the Strategic Transport Team within the Development and Economic Growth Service. No Council funding is currently received by the Active Travel Team. All project costs, including internal staff costs, have to be funded via successfully securing highly competitive external challenge funds. 4.2. In 2023/24, the Active Travel Team secured £2.56M external funding for the development and delivery of a total of 22 projects across Argyll and Bute. This required 18 separate competitive funding applications, to 5 separate funds. Funding 4.3. Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) programme is the primary external active travel design funding model in Scotland. It is structured around 8 project stages with a competitive challenge fund, with the 32 local authorities, 7 regional transport partnerships, two national parks and numerous community groups across Scotland competing against each other to secure the funding each project requires on an annual basis. While the model for active travel design
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funding is due to change in 25/26, it is expected that the new funding model will be based on the PFE model and requirements. Stage 1: Feasibility 4.4. Following a competitive tender process, a contract was awarded to Connected Transport Planning (CTP) in November 2023 to undertake the initial 2 stages (Feasibility and Concept Design) of the 4 stage PFE design process. 4.5. The initial feasibility stage of the project commenced in November 2023 and was completed in March 2024. 4.6. A three week consultation was undertaken between 27 February to 19 March 2024. A public drop-in event was held on Tuesday 27 February in the Discovery Centre, Rothesay and all consultation materials were available on a dedicated consultation website from 27 February to 19 March. The consultation was promoted via social media, local press, Rothesay Community Council, posters, 1500 flyers and a pop-up event in entrance of the large Co-op supermarket. 4.7. A total of 40 survey responses were received to the consultation, with 61 individuals attending the public event. 11% of survey respondents indicated that a traffic free route would encourage them to walk or cycle more. The survey responses represented less than 1% of the population of Rothesay, a lower than average turnout. Stage 2: Concept Design 4.8. The concept design stage of the project commenced in May 2024 and was completed in October 2024. 4.9. In response to consultation responses in the feasibility stage the scope of the concept design was extended from Albert Pier to outside the front of the Glenburn Hotel. Therefore, the concept design sought to identify options for provision of improvements from the Rothesay Pavilion to outside the Glenburn Hotel. 4.10. A potential concept design was developed for the area between the Rothesay Pavilion and the Glenburn Hotel taking account of the comments received to the first consultation and sought to balance access and space for all users equitably. To achieve this the design seeks to (a) ensure the A844 continues to function as a key route including for HGVs and PSVs in line with current design standards; (b) retain and where possible enhance existing on street parking provision; (c) reduce traffic speeds in key locations to increase pedestrian crossing opportunities; (d) increase space and accessibility for pedestrians; and, (e) provide dedicated space for cyclists (a key funder requirement). The proposals also sought to improve wider pedestrian accessibility with a new ramp over the seawall between the Victorian Toilets and the Discovery Centre, as well as proposing renewal of all surfacing and lining along the A844. 4.11. A six-week consultation was undertaken between 21 August and 30 September 2024. A public drop in-event was held on Wednesday 21 August in the Discovery
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Centre, Rothesay and all consultation materials including video fly-through of the design were available on a dedicated consultation website from 21 August to 30 September. The design team also attended the Bute Community Council meeting on 21 August and, at the request of the Bute Community Council, a further special Bute Community Council meeting on Thursday 26 September specifically focused on the project. 4.12. A total of 625 survey responses were received, comprising 603 on-line and 22 paper based responses. Of these, 81% of responses were received within 48 hours of the survey commencing, an unusually high percentage. The survey asked a series of closed questions as well as asking respondents to provide further detail in support of their answers. 4.13. 10% of respondents felt that the designs were appropriate for improving walking, wheeling, cycling and future mobility in Rothesay, while 90% felt the designs were not fully appropriate for this purpose. 4.14. 10% of respondents felt that the designs were aligned with the needs of the community, while 90% felt the designs were not fully aligned to the needs of the community. 4.15. Of the general comments received, 62% of respondents stated they would prefer the project was ‘scrapped’ or considered it to be a ‘waste of money’, 45% of respondents indicated that the project was not needed/unwanted, 35% of respondents felt that the infrastructure would not be used if constructed, and 27% of respondents provided comments (positive or negative) on the suitability of the proposed design. A further 18% of comments received related to items outside the scope of the project. 4.16. The consultation also generated an active social media interest, disappointingly some of which was vitriolic in nature, on both the project and community social media pages. While a useful communication tool, it is recognised that social media comments do not always represent the view of the whole of the community, and in this case, the conversation was dominated by a relatively small number of vocal individuals, some of whom appeared to be poorly informed in relation to this specific project. The majority of comments posted either misunderstood the project funding (e.g. that the funding isn’t ‘council’ money and is ring fenced for active travel), misunderstood the purpose of consultation (e.g. considered the project to be a ‘done deal’) or opposed the project. Concerns around on-street car parking, particularly in the vicinity of Battery Place, were also a reoccurring theme. Future Design Stages 4.17. Developed design (Stage 3) is the most time intensive of all design stages as it develops the initial concept proposals into a deliverable design taking account of the detailed constraints on site. This stage includes further community and stakeholder consultation on the specific details of the design. 4.18. Technical design (Stage 4) advances the developed designs into a completed design package. The design package would all necessary designs and
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associated documents to allow the construction of the final design. The technical design stage also includes applying for any statutory approvals required to allow construction. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1. Provision of improved active travel and public realm will provide opportunities for all residents and visitors in Rothesay to travel more sustainably and actively. This will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint. The improvements will also help support the wider regeneration of Rothesay seafront and town centre, including supporting the local economy. 5.2. Funding for this work has been secured from the Scottish Government’s active travel funding with further applications being developed to enable the completion of the design process if approved by members. 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 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.
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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. 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
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Policy Lead: Cllr John Armour 21 October 2024 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