2024/25 Active Travel Progress Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 March 2025
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Area Committee — 5 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 05 March 2025 2024/25 Active Travel Progress Report 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. This report provides an update to Members on the progress made in 2024/25 in relation to active travel projects in the MAKI Area, informs Members of the significant changes in Scottish Government active travel funding and seeks continued support for the projects and wider active travel measures from Members. 1.2. Active travel encompasses accessible, everyday Walking, Mobility Assistance and child prams (sometime collectively termed “Wheeling”) and Cycling. The focus of active travel is on accessible provision including those with mobility impairments. 1.3. Active Travel can offer significant benefits to the area: • Access to essential services and employment: In MAKI 20% of households (2,042 households) do not have access to a motor vehicle and are therefore reliant on public transport and active travel modes. This increases to 34% (800) of households in Campbeltown, 26% (103) in Bowmore, 25% (152) in Tarbert and 24% (302) in Lochgilphead. (2022 census) • Health benefits: being more active reduces the risk of premature morbidity and death, particularly from diseases related to inactivity. (NHS Scotland) • Economics: People who travel to shops by walking and/or cycling have a higher monthly spend than people who travel to shops by private car. (Pedestrian Pound, 2024) • Improving safety: high quality active travel infrastructure reduces the frequency of injuries from collisions with motor vehicles. (Transport Scotland) • A number of active travel projects link to schools, offering the opportunity to increase the numbers of pupils, parents and staff choosing to walk, cycle or wheel to school. While focus is improved physical and mental health, where new active travel infrastructure creates a safe route to school where one did not previously exist it could reduce the requirement to provide school transport on safety grounds, thereby creating a revenue saving to the Council’s school transport budget.
Page 2
1.4. The Council’s Active Travel Team, 1.7 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. 1.5. The Active Travel Team work with communities, internal and external stakeholders across Argyll and Bute to develop and deliver active travel projects which provide new/improved accessible infrastructure (e.g. paths, cycle lanes) and behaviour change (e.g. access to bikes, walking/cycle training, promotional activities). 1.6. In 2024/25, the Active Travel Team secured £1.4M external funding for the development and delivery of a total of 16 projects across Argyll and Bute. 1.7. The Active Travel Team work to source and secure highly competitive funding from a range of sources, the main of which are Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) Programme (administered by Sustrans), the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Tier 1 (Tier 1) and Local Authority Direct Award (LADA) funds, Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF), and HITRANS Regional Active Travel Fund. It is recognised at a national level that the Active Travel Team in Argyll and Bute Council secure significantly more funding, and subsequently deliver more projects, than similar staffed teams in other Local Authorities. 1.8. Transport Scotland have informed Officers that, as of 25/26, the funding model for active travel will change. The primary change will be the reallocation of the significant funding previously disbursed via third-sector organisations (such as Sustrans with Places for Everyone fund) to a single Transport Scotland controlled Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 fund. The new fund will remain as a competitive challenge fund and is expected to be significantly oversubscribed due to the number of high value projects being progressed across Scotland and will therefore be highly competitive. Transport Scotland have also indicated that they will require Local Authorities to provide a minimum of 30% of the construction cost of projects from non-Transport Scotland derived sources. 1.9. In 24/25 Scottish Government behaviour change funding was transferred from the multitude of third sector organisations to the Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs). This aimed to enable the development and delivery of behaviour change programmes/activities which are tailored to the specific requirements of each RTP area. Officers engaged with HITRANS and SPT to promoted projects which supported the wider delivery of active travel in Argyll and Bute. While this engagement was successful in relation to HITRANS and resulted in a number of community orientated projects being funded, SPT took a more competitive approach and focused on funding the national third sector
Page 3
organisations which have extremely high overheads and therefore only limited results were achieved for Argyll and Bute. 1.10. The Scottish Government committed a total of £185M to active travel in 24/25. The Scottish Government’s draft 25/26 budget commits a total of £165M to active travel in 25/26. 1.11. Separately, Officers are working to develop an Active Travel Strategy (ATS) for Argyll and Bute which will set out the policy and strategic context for the development and delivery of active travel across the whole of Argyll and Bute. Subsequent to this, an Active Travel Delivery Plan (ATDP) will be developed which will identify the specific projects to be developed in order to achieve the ambition set in the ATS. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.12. It is recommended that the Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands members: 1.12.1. Welcome the progress made to date across a significant number of active travel projects by the small Active Travel Team. 1.12.2. Support the continuation of the projects and the submission of future funding applications to external challenge funds to continue to develop design and construction stages in order to deliver these projects. 1.12.3. Support the allocation of the Tier 1 active travel funding element in the Council’s 25/26 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in MAKI. 1.12.4. Instruct Officers to continue to identify and develop new active travel projects to benefit local residents, businesses and communities.
Page 4
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 05 March 2025 2024/25 Active Travel Progress Report 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1. This report provides an update to Members on the progress made in 2024/25 in relation to active travel projects in the MAKI Area and seeks continued support for the projects from Members. 2.2. Active travel encompasses accessible, everyday Walking, Mobility Assistance and child prams (sometime collectively termed “Wheeling”) and Cycling. The focus of active travel is on accessible provision including those with mobility impairments. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. It is recommended that the Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands members: 3.1.1. Welcome the progress made to date across a significant number of active travel projects by the small Active Travel Team. 3.1.2. Support the continuation of the projects and the submission of future funding applications to external challenge funds to continue to develop design and construction stages in order to deliver these projects. 3.1.3. Support the allocation of the Tier 1 active travel funding element in the Council’s 25/26 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in MAKI. 3.1.4. Instruct Officers to continue to identify and develop new active travel projects to benefit local residents, businesses and communities. 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
Page 5
Team. All project costs, including internal staff costs, have to be funded via successfully securing highly competitive external challenge funds. 4.2. It is recognised at a national level that the Active Travel Team in Argyll and Bute Council secure significantly more funding, and subsequently deliver more projects, than similar staffed teams in other Local Authorities. 4.3. The Active Travel Team work with communities, internal and external stakeholders across Argyll and Bute to develop and deliver active travel projects which provide new/improved accessible infrastructure (e.g. paths, cycleways) and behaviour change (e.g. access to bikes, walking/cycle training, promotional activities). 4.4. In 2024/25, the Active Travel Team secured £1.4M external funding for the development and delivery of a total of 16 projects across Argyll and Bute. Further details of the projects relevant to MAKI are presented in Appendix 1. Active Travel Funding Model 4.5. Transport Scotland have informed Officers that, as of 25/26, the funding model for active travel will change. The primary change will be the reallocation of the significant funding previously disbursed via third-sector organisations (such as Sustrans or Paths for All) to a Transport Scotland controlled “Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) Tier 2” fund. The new fund will remain as a competitive challenge fund and is expected to be significantly oversubscribed due to the number of high value projects being progressed across Scotland and will therefore be highly competitive. The new Tier 2 fund is split into 2 sections, one for “Design” and the other for “Construction”. 4.6. Transport Scotland have indicated that they will require Local Authorities to provide up to of 30% of the construction cost of projects under Tier 2 from other sources. 4.7. The application deadline for 25/26 projects to ATIF Tier 2 is 21 February 2025 and, at the time of writing, Officers are developing submissions for projects including the Campbeltown Esplanade and Kinloch Park, Bowmore – Bridgend Cyclepath, North Islay Path, Craighouse – Corran Sands Path, Lochgilphead – Crinan Canal Active Travel Route and the Lochgilphead Town Centre to Joint Campus Active Travel Route. 4.8. The Scottish Government committed a total of £185M to active travel in 24/25. The Scottish Government’s draft 25/26 budget commits a total of £165M to active travel in 25/26. 4.9. In 24/25 Scottish Government behaviour change funding was transferred from the multitude of third sector organisations to the Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs). This aimed to enable the development and delivery of
Page 6
behaviour change programmes/activities which are tailored to the specific requirements of each RTP area. Officers engaged with HITRANS and SPT to promoted projects which supported the wider delivery of active travel in Argyll and Bute. While this engagement was successful in relation to HITRANS and resulted in a number of community orientated projects being funded, SPT took a competitive application approach and focused on funding the national third sector organisations which have extremely high overheads and therefore only limited results were achieved for Argyll and Bute. 4.10. Due to the continually evolving funding environment, Officers remain vigilant to potential funding opportunities and will submit applications for relevant projects as and when appropriate funding opportunities arise. Outgoing (2024/25) Funding Model 4.11. The Active Travel Team work to source and secure highly competitive funding from a range of sources, the main of which are Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) Programme (administered by Sustrans), the Scottish Government’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes (CWSR) fund and Delivery Resource Fund, Paths for All Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) programme, Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Transformation Fund (ATTF), and HITRANS Regional Active Travel Fund. Further funding has been secured for some projects via local community organisations and from willing businesses. It is recognised at a national level that the Active Travel Team in Argyll and Bute Council secure significantly more funding, and subsequently delivery more projects, than similar staffed teams in other Local Authorities and/or local authorities with similar populations. 4.12. The primary external funding route for active travel infrastructure design is Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) programme (which Sustrans are paid to administer). The PFE Programme is a competitive challenge fund structured around 8 project stages; 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. In 24/25, the Active Travel Team secured £503,350 from the PFE Programme. It has been announced that the PFE Programme will by wound down with a final closure date of December 2025. 4.13. A minimum of three new competitive funding submissions are required to complete a project using PFE funding, with competitive applications required, as a minimum, prior to Stage 0 (Strategic Definition), Stage 3 (Developed Design) and Stage 5 (Construction). The full project stages are (0) Strategic Definition, (1) Preparation and Brief, (2) Concept Design), (3) Developed Design, (4) Technical Design, (5) Construction, (6) Handover & Close Out and (7) In Use. 4.14. The Scottish Government Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes (CWSR) fund was an annual ring-fenced fund which provides the opportunity for Local Authorities
Page 7
to identify and deliver lower value active travel infrastructure without the level of complexity and time required by the PFE route. In 24/25 the CWSR fund was retitled “Tier 1” fund. Also in 24/25, a new distribution methodology was implemented by Transport Scotland with approval from COSLA which focused funding on larger urban authorities, the new methodology resulted in a 27% reduction in the value of funding received by Argyll and Bute Council between 23/24 CWSR and 24/25 Tier 1. 4.15. Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Transformation Fund (ATTF) was launched in 23/24 and focuses on supporting Local Authorities, RTPs and National Parks with the additional cost of constructing very ambitious, high-quality active travel projects. Projects must be fully construction ready prior to submission to the ATTF. Officers submitted two applications to the 24/25 ATTF, including for the Bowmore – Bridgend Path on Islay, which were shortlisted on the reserve list. In October 2024, 24/25 ATTF funding was awarded for construction of 350m of path in Rosneath. Updated (2025/26) Funding Model 4.16. As part of Transport Scotland’s ongoing Active Travel Transformation, the most significant changes to the active travel funding model are due to be implemented in 2025/26 to achieve what Officers understand is planned to be the final distribution model. 4.17. For 25/26 the primary behaviour change funding streams will be via the Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) People and Place programmes, which the Council can propose/bid projects into for consideration, and the Local Authority Direct Award (LADA) which is a ring-fenced reclaimable allowance provided to each local authority by Transport Scotland. 4.18. For 25/26 all infrastructure design and construction funding will be delivered to local authorities directly from Transport Scotland, under the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). ATIF replaces a number of previous active travel infrastructure funding streams, the largest of which was the Places for Everyone (PFE) programme administered by Sustrans. 4.19. ATIF is split into two ‘tiers’. ATIF Tier 1 which is now provided direct to the Council as part of the block grant with Transport Scotland monitoring the spend to ensure it is spent on appropriate active travel related projects as this is used by Transport Scotland as a determinant of future Tier 1 allocations and if the Council is eligible for award of ATIF Tier 2 funding. ATIF Tier 2 funding is a competitive challenge fund which eligible local authorities, regional transport partnerships (RTPs) and national parks can bid to for larger scale, ambitious active travel projects. ATIF Tier 2 will fund up to 100% of design costs and 70% of construction costs. 4.20. Table 1: Changes to relevant Active Travel Behaviour Change Funds
Page 8
Previous Fund(s) New Fund Notes Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) Local Authority Fund Local Authority Direct Award (LADA) 1. Council given an annual allowance which we can reclaim from Transport Scotland following spend. 2. Ring fenced for active travel behaviour change work. Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) Sustrans Behaviour Change Team Cycling UK Bothies and Rural Connections Cycling Scotland Community Fund HITRANS / SPT People and Place Programme 1. Funding from Transport Scotland provided to each RTP who can determine own distribution model or to take forward projects within RTP. 2. Each RTP decides its own distribution model. • HITRANS chose a collaborative approach which has been very positive with community orientated projects being funded. • SPT chose a challenge fund approach which resulted in ABCs top projects not being funded in 24/25. Smarter Choices Smarter Places (SCSP) Community Fund HITRANS / SPT People and Place Programme – Community Fund 1. Funding from Transport Scotland provided to each RTP who can determine own distribution model or to take forward projects within RTP. 2. Each RTP decides its own distribution model. • HITRANS have accepted funding applications from selected community organisations alongside those from Local Authorities /National Park. • SPT have chosen to set aside a portion of the funding and offer selected community organisations the opportunity to bid for funding. Bikeability (Cycling Scotland) Bikeability (Cycling Scotland) 1. Retained as a national project to keep training standard equivalent across all areas. 4.21. Table 2: Changes to relevant Active Travel Infrastructure Funds Previous Fund(s) New Fund Notes Cycling Walking and Safer Routes (CWSR) Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 1 (ATIF Tier 1) 1. Delivered to Council as part of block grant. 2. Transport Scotland checking allocation is spent on appropriate active travel work in determining allocations of future Tier 1 funding and award of Tier 2 applications. Places for Everyone (PFE) Design Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 (Design) (ATIF Tier 2 (Design)). 1. Competitive Challenge Fund approach. 2. Separate lengthy application for each project. 3. Must have allocated Tier 1 funding to appropriate active travel work to be eligible for Tier 2 funding.
Page 9
4. Competing against projects submitted by 32 local authorities, 7 regional transport partnerships and 2 national parks. Places for Everyone (PFE) Construction Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 (Construction) (ATIF Tier 2 (Construction)). 1. Competitive Challenge Fund approach. 2. Separate lengthy application for each project. 3. Must have allocated Tier 1 funding to appropriate active travel work to be eligible for Tier 2 funding. 4. Competing against projects submitted by 32 local authorities, 7 regional transport partnerships and 2 national parks. 5. Transport Scotland request that LAs provide up to 30% of the construction cost from other sources. National Cycle Network (NCN) (Sustrans Scotland) National Cycle Network (NCN) (Sustrans Scotland) 1. Sustrans Scotland will continue to promote and develop the NCN and receive direct funding from Transport Scotland (£15M 24/25). 2. The majority of the NCN is owned and maintained by other organisations including Local Authorities, Scottish Canals, etc. Sustrans own and maintain c.2% of the NCN in the UK, but are funded to promote the whole NCN. Design guidance 4.22. Adherence to the latest design criteria for active travel (e.g. Cycle by Design for cycle projects) will continue to be a requirement to secure Scottish Government derived funding. However, the removal of national third-sector organisations from control of the main active travel funding steams should enable Officers to apply the guidance in a more flexible and specific manner to local circumstances. Utilising adopted design guidance provides a clear framework for development of designs which are appropriate, accessible, attractive and safe. Benefits of Active Travel 4.23. 20% of households (2,042 households) in the MAKI area do not have access to any motor vehicles (2022 census) and are therefore reliant on public transport and active travel to move around. The proportion of households without access to a motor vehicle increases to 34% (800) in Campbeltown, 26% (103) in Bowmore, 25% (152) in Tarbert and 24% (302) in Lochgilphead.
Page 10
4.24. Transport poverty is defined as households and individuals who spend a significant percentage of their income to make the journeys they need (UK Government, 2019). In MAKI, where a higher than Scottish average of the population have low incomes (SIMD 2020), the cost of travel is a significant barrier to a substantial number of the community. This is highlighted by the higher than Scottish average number of households have multiple cars but shorter than Scottish average journey distances to work/study (2022 census), indicating that a significant number of households own multiple cars to travel short distances. Walking, wheeling (mobility aids/child prams) and cycling are much cheaper than running a car or using public transport, and improving opportunities to choose to walk/cycle for essential journeys can improve access to essential services, reduce social exclusion and increase opportunities to access education and employment. 4.25. Health benefits of enabling individuals and communities to choose to travel more actively are well documented and a significant body of research has identified that having active, healthy lifestyles helps to reduce fragility and reduce falls as individuals age, and increase social inclusion and accessibility. In particular, being more active reduces the risk of premature morbidity and death, particularly from diseases related to inactivity including cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, dementia, type 2 diabetes, hip fractures and cancer. Active travel also has significant mental health benefits including increasing social inclusion and reducing depression. This means those who choose to be more active are less likely to require social care services in later life which could result in a future saving to the Council or HSCP (DfT, 2014; CIHT, 2016; Centre for Mental Health, 2016; Scottish Government, 2018; Dunoon Shaping Places for Wellbeing, 2022; World Health Organisation, 2022; Public Health Scotland, 2022; Public Health Scotland, 2023). 4.26. Economics: People who travel to shops actively by walking and/or cycling, while they spend less per individual visit, make more visits a month and have a higher monthly spend than people who travel to shops by private car (Pedestrian Pound, 2024). Improving public realm and routes to shops for pedestrians and cyclists can increase trade by up to 40% (Pedestrian Pound, 2024). 4.27. Improving safety through good design, in particular to protect more vulnerable individuals, pedestrians and cyclists, reduces injuries from car collisions (Public Health Scotland, 2022). Where people choose to travel actively to make a journey instead of using a private car, this reduces the number of car movements which makes streets cleaner, improves air quality, reduces traffic congestion and reduces demand for space to park in key hotspots. 4.28. A number of the active travel projects link to schools, thereby offering the opportunity to increase the numbers of pupils, parents and staff choosing to walk, cycle or wheel to school. While the main benefits are improved physical
Page 11
and mental health, such provision may also generate a saving on school transport provision. Argyll and Bute Council provide free school transport to some pupils on safety grounds. This is where pupils live less than the legislative minimum distance from school to qualify for free school transport provision but where there is no safe active travel route to school. Where new active travel infrastructure creates a safe route to school where one did not previously exist it could reduce the requirement to provide school transport on safety grounds, thereby creating a revenue saving to the Council. Active Travel Strategy (ATS) 4.29. Officers are working to develop an Active Travel Strategy (ATS) for Argyll and Bute which will set out the policy and strategic context for the development and delivery of active travel across the whole of Argyll and Bute. Subsequent to this, an Active Travel Delivery Plan (ATDP) will be developed which will identify the specific projects to be developed in order to achieve the ambition set in the ATS. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1. Significant changes to the funding model in 2025/26 will create opportunities for active travel projects to focus on local priorities, rather than projects which meet the aspirations and objectives of national organisations. However, continued delivery of new and improved active travel opportunities to the residents, businesses, communities and visitors in the MAKI area will require Members to commit the Tier 1 active travel funding allocation in the 25/26 Council Block Grant to the development and delivery of active travel projects. 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 development and delivery of active travel in Argyll and Bute is currently solely funded by external funding applications. To date, the Council has not contributed any funding to design or capital costs. Active travel infrastructure requires maintenance and consideration is required of commitment of future resources to maintain the new active travel infrastructure our communities are seeking as the external funding opportunities do not fund maintenance.
Page 12
Improved active travel provision could reduce the requirement to provide school transport on safety grounds, thereby creating a revenue saving. There is strong evidence that people who are more active, for example by walking or cycling, have better 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 any land acquisition required for the creation of active travel routes. 6.4. HR None. 6.5. Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities Provision of new and improved active travel infrastructure and behaviour change options will provide enhanced opportunities for residents and visitors to choose to travel more sustainably and actively by walking, wheeling and cycling. All new active travel routes are designed to be accessible and DDA compliant to 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 New and improved active travel routes will improve access to essential services, retail, leisure and employment opportunities for local residents, with studies demonstrating those who travelled actively had a higher monthly spend in local businesses than those who travel via motorised transport. The routes will also offer opportunities for individuals to travel for leisure, again encouraging spend in local businesses connected by the routes. 6.5.3 Islands A number of the active travel projects are based on islands, thereby providing the same opportunities for island residents/visitors to choose to travel actively as those on the mainland. Where visitors choose to travel actively in leu of taking a motor vehicle this can help reduce demand for the overstretched vehicle capacity on the ferry services. 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 will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint.
Page 13
6.7. Risk There is a reputational risk to the Council if the projects are 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 with school pupils indicates that the vast majority of pupils 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 for Roads and Transport: Cllr John Armour 03 February 2025 For further information contact: Colin Young Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer colin.young@argyll-bute.gov.uk 01546 604275 Appendix 1: 2024/25 MAKI Active Travel Projects
Page 14
Appendix 1: 2024/25 MAKI Active Travel Projects Behaviour Change Projects Project Outline Programme Detail Active Travel Promotional Campaign Ongoing Promotion of the Council’s new sustainable travel (walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport) promotional brand “Better Journeys” including a promotional campaign to raise awareness of opportunities to travel actively and sustainably across Argyll and Bute. External funding has been retained within the Council by working with the Council’s Communications Team to develop the brand, campaign materials including posters and social media clips. Pedestrian and Cycle Counters Ongoing Argyll and Bute Council operate a network of automated pedestrian and cycle counters with 36 installed across the Council area. The data from these counters is used to monitor changes in pedestrian/cycle numbers, including from new routes, and by partners to support compilation of national statistics. The data is also publicly available via a dedicated website. Bowmore and Island Walking and Cycling Smartphone App Summer 2024: app launch An active travel smartphone app for Bowmore and the wider island of Islay was launched in Summer 2024. The app includes local interest trails as well as interactive family focused “eye- spy” style games and active travel route maps. The app uses a combination of geofencing and virtual reality to immerse users in the trails in a way which is not possible using more traditional mediums. Lochgilphead & Ardrishaig Walking & Cycling Smartphone App Autumn 2024: app lauched An active travel smartphone app for Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig was launched in Autumn 2024. The app includes local interest trails as well as interactive family focused “eye- spy” style games and active travel route maps. The app uses a combination of geofencing and virtual reality to immerse users
Page 15
in the trails in a way which is not possible using more traditional mediums. ACT Bikes back to the community 2024/25: funded via HITRANS People and Place Programme 2025/25: continue to work with HITRANS to funding ACT to continue project. The Bikes back to the Community bike recycling scheme is delivered in partnership with local community group, ACT Now. The Bikes back to the Community scheme allows Mid-Argyll residents apply for a free bicycle, with preference given to those who can demonstrate a reduction in car use and/or inability to access a bike commercially. The bicycles provided are safe and suitable, and follow up support from ACT Now staff and volunteers is available to ensure the bicycle is fully utilised. Infrastructure Projects Project Outline Programme Detail Campbeltown Limecraigs Road Cycleway 2025/26: secure land agreement and update designs 2026/27: construction Phase 1b of the Campbeltown cycle and pedestrian improvements. The Limecraigs Road section will link the existing sections at Ralston Road/Meadows Avenue (Phase 1a) to The Cutting shared use path (Phase 2), which will provide a link to Campbeltown Town Centre and onwards to the Esplanade and Kinloch Park (Phase 4). Campbeltown Esplanade and Kinloch Park Active Travel Improvements 2023 – summer 2024: concept design 2025/26 – 2026/27: developed and technical design 2027/28: construction Phase 4 of the Campbeltown cycle and pedestrian improvements. This phase of the project will improve active travel connectivity around the Esplanade, through Kinloch Park and on adjacent roads to improve active travel connectivity between the north side of Campbeltown and the Town Centre, Schools and other amenities. Bowmore to Bridgend Path Design, Islay 2019 – summer 2024: design process 2025/26 – 2028/29: Working in partnership with Islay Community Access Group (ICAG) to develop a walking/cycling path linking Bowmore to Bridgend, including the UHI Columba Gaelic Centre. At present there is no walking or cycling route linking Bowmore to Bridgend
Page 16
construction with the only option being a busy 60mph rural road with no footway. Creation of this path will increase access to Bowmore with its range of retail, leisure, employment opportunities, Bowmore Primary and Islay High School; as well as the community facilities at UHI Columba Gaelic Centre and the settlement of Bridgend with hotel, shop and visitor facilities at Islay House Square. North Islay Path 2025/26: concept design 2026/27 – 2027/28: developed and technical design 2028/29 – 2031/32: construction Working in partnership with Islay Community Access Group (ICAG) and the local community to develop a shared use path linking Port Askaig (ferry terminal) & important settlements of Keills (with Primary School), Ballygrant & Bridgend to enable residents and visitors the opportunity to choose to walk/cycle along the key route which is currently only served by the fast & busy A846 main road and does not have a footway or cycling facilities. The path will also join onto Bowmore - Bridgend Path, thereby providing a continuous, safe route linking Port Askaig to Bowmore. Craighouse to Corran Sands Active Travel Route, Jura 2023/24 – 2024/25: concept design 2025/26 – 2026/27: developed and technical design 2028/29: construction Working closely with the community to develop plans for a route linking the existing community constructed Corran Path to the centre of the main settlement on Jura, Craighouse, as identified in the Community Action Plan. This route will also provide a safe route to the Small Isles Primary School, Jura Distillery, Jura Hotel, Jura Service Point, Community Shop, Community Hall, Church, Playpark and the majority of dwellings on Jura. A83 Tarbert to Whitehouse Active Travel Route 2024/25: route identification and concept design 2025/26 – 2027/28: developed and technical design The project will develop an off-road shared use path linking Tarbert (main town in mid-Kintyre) and strategic ferry terminal at Kennacraig and the quiet B8001 which links to the Claonaig – Arran ferry. The section of route between Tarbert and Whitehouse is only linked by the very busy and high speed A83 Trunk Road which has suffered a number of serious crashes
Page 17
2028/29 – 2030/31: construction involving pedestrians and/or cyclists. Working closely with the Community Council and the wider community, school pupils, Transport Scotland, landowners and local businesses, this will be a community focused project to ensure the final design best suits local needs and environment. The route will link to the key transport hub at Kennacraig; provide the opportunity for pupils to walk/cycle to Primary / Secondary School at Tarbert and enable residents in the area to access services, retail, employment, church, graveyard and leisure facilities actively with the associated improvement in accessibility and health equality. The route will also serve the popular leisure 5 Ferries Route and Caledonia Way (ex-NCN78) named route, significantly improving safety by providing an alternative to the highest risk section of these routes. Lochgilphead Front Green to Crinan Canal Active Travel Route Spring 2024: complete concept design 2024/25-26/27: developed and technical design 2027/28: secure construction funding and permissions 2028/29: construction This project will deliver an active travel route that links the Lochgilphead Front Green with the Crinan Canal (NCN 78). The new route will align with the separate but related project developing a new active travel route between Lochgilphead Town Centre and the Lochgilphead Joint Campus, thereby creating a safe and direct active travel link between Ardrishaig, the Canal, Lochgilphead and the Joint Campus, the Sports Centre, Kilmory Industrial Estate and Argyll and Bute Council HQ. Lochgilphead Town Centre to Joint Campus Active Travel Route 2020 – 22: concept design 2022 – 2024/25: complete developed and technical design This project will deliver a new active travel route linking lochgilphead town centre and Front Green with the Lochgilphead Joint Campus. The project will deliver numerous road safety and street scape improvements. The route strategically aligns with the design of a new active travel route Lochgilphead Front Green and the Crinan Canal, which together
Page 18
2025/26: secure construction funding and permissions 2025/26 – 2028/29: construction of route create a safe and direct active travel link between Ardrishaig, the Canal, Lochgilphead and the Joint Campus, the Sports Centre, Kilmory Industrial Estate and Argyll and Bute Council HQ.