Bus Infrastructure Fund
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 December 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 18 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 18 DECEMBER 2025 BUS INFRASTRUCTURE FUND 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Argyll and Bute Council has received a capital allocation of £414,000 from Transport Scotland’s Bus Infrastructure Fund. Notification of this funding allocation was made in July 2025. Details of the terms for the funding are currently being discussed with Transport Scotland, however notwithstanding officers will endeavor to have this fully committed by financial year end. 1.2 The proposed programme includes new bus stops, shelter upgrades, lighting improvements, and partnership working with local communities and transport operators. The aim is to improve accessibility, safety, and service quality for bus users, particularly in rural and underserved areas. These have been selected following operational feedback on areas where safety, functionality and convenience can be improved, along with sites that have had long- standing community requests for new or improved bus stop infrastructure. 1.3 This report outlines the proposed works under the following headings: • Loch Fyne Oysters – new bus stops, shelters, and laybys. • West Loch Tarbert – new shelter installation and boarding area in existing Glasgow-bound layby. • Rural Bus Stop Lighting Programme – a scalable Argyll-wide programme of 75-200 solar powered timer or button activated light up bus stop poles, flags and timetable cases. • Guildford Square – roof and seating upgrades to the two existing bespoke Victorian style shelters in Guildford Square, Rothesay. • North Ledaig – new shelter installation adjacent to the Travelers Site. • Islay – new shelter installations at various locations. • Argyll-wide programme of selective bus shelter refurbishments, to bring their appearance and functionality up to modern standards.
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• Bus stop pole replacement programme – primarily focused in the Cowal area to replace corroded infrastructure on safety and functionality grounds. At present the proposed programme is being costed and routes to procurement worked out. Whilst some elements can be scaled to fit available budget, it should be noted that there is an extremely tight turnaround from the funding award to financial year end. Furthermore the Bus Infrastructure Fund is putting significant load on the few bus stop infrastructure suppliers in Scotland. Officers will endeavor to spend the full allocation by the end of March 2026. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee is asked to agree that Officers continue to liaise with Transport Scotland, landowners and operators, to scope out costs, delivery timescales and delivery of the programme. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The detail of the proposed programme is set out below - 3.2 Loch Fyne Oysters Proposal: Install new bus stops with hard standing, pole, flag, shelter, and potentially full laybys, in both directions (Glasgow-bound and Campbeltown- bound). Actions: Liaise with Transport Scotland to confirm acceptable standards and delivery options; confirm landowner consent; engage with West Coast Motors, Scottish Citylink, Loch Fyne Oysters business representatives and the Community Council. 3.3 West Loch Tarbert Proposal: Install a marked stop and bus shelter on the Glasgow-bound carriageway. Actions: Liaise with Transport Scotland to confirm cost and delivery method; engage with West Coast Motors, Scottish Citylink to ascertain standards meet their requirements. 3.4 Rural Bus Stop Lighting Programme Proposal: Install solar-powered light-up bus stops at rural locations to improve visibility and safety.
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Actions: Work up a list of suitable locations and develop a scalable programme to match as much of the remaining budget as possible. 3.5 Guildford Square, Rothesay Proposal: Upgrade existing bespoke shelters with new roofs and seating. Actions: Project managed by Roads and Infrastructure team. 3.6 North Ledaig Proposal: Install a northbound shelter at the travelers’ site. Actions: Awaiting quote from suppliers. 3.7 Islay – Various Shelters Proposal: Install a shelter opposite the medical centre in Port Charlotte, in Port Ellen on Charlotte Street, and opposite Ceol Na Fairge in Bowmore. Actions: Seek land use permission; obtain contractor quote for groundworks and shelter supply; install shelters. 3.8 Bus Shelter Refurbishments Proposal: Refurbishment of various bus shelters around Argyll to improve safety and functionality. Actions: Seek quotes from shelter manufacturers. 3.9 Bus Stop Pole Replacement Programme – Various Locations Proposal: Deliver a programme of new standard bus stop poles to replace existing end of life infrastructure. Actions: Work up a scalable programme of bus stop pole replacements. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 The Bus Infrastructure Fund presents a valuable opportunity to improve public transport infrastructure across Argyll and Bute. The proposed programme is designed to maximise impact within the available budget and timeframe, with a focus on rural accessibility, safety, and service quality. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – Supports Council objectives for sustainable transport and rural connectivity. 5.2 Financial - £414,000 must be spent within the current financial year. 5.3 Legal – Landowner agreements required for certain installations.
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5.4 HR – None known. 5.5 Customer Service – Enhancements will improve experience and safety. 5.6 Risk - Risk of underspend if delivery timelines are not met; mitigation through scalable programmes. 5.7 Climate Change - Solar lighting and improved public transport infrastructure support low-carbon travel. 5.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – None known. 5.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – None known. 5.10 Consumer Duty – None. 5.11 Island Communities – Programme includes island locations. 5.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – None known. Kirsty Flanagan Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services Policy Lead Councillor John Armour 21 November 2025 For further information contact: Scott Reid – scott.reid@argyll-bute.gov.uk Martin Arnold – martin.arnold@argyll-bute.gov.uk