More than £200,000 is set to be spent improving paths, cycle routes and roads across Perth and Kinross.
Funding has been secured from the Scottish Government’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets scheme. It will be spent on 15 projects aimed at making the region’s roads safer and boosting the growing outdoor tourism sector.
Perth and Kinross Council says more and more people visit the area each year to take advantage of its stunning scenery and network of cycle and walking routes. The popularity of the 63-mile Cateran Trail is increasing, while events such as the Etape Caledonia and Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival have cemented the area’s reputation as a destination for outdoors pursuits.
One of the biggest spends from the £209,000 scheme will be a £40,000 upgrade of the road crossing system on the A93 Isla Road, near Quarrymill. The pelican crossing has been deemed too old and will be replaced by a puffin crossing, which detects when people are waiting to cross, rather than requiring pedestrians to push a button.
It had been earmarked for upgrade to a toucan crossing as part of the Connect2 river bridge path network but, with that project now being shelved, a different system was deemed more suitable.
At Abernyte plans are in place to spend £10,000 on creating a path to link the primary school with the recreation ground and village hall. A further £2000 will be spent in the village to widen the path in front of the school to provide a pedestrian waiting area for parents.
Other funding in place includes £14,000 on upgrading a path and providing a new one at Victory Park in Bridge of Earn to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists; £3000 on a landscaped area and cycle stands in Birnam and £4000 on cycle route signs between Kinross and Perth.
Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee will be asked to approve the proposed list of work on Wednesday.
Vice-convener Ann Gaunt said, “This money is ring-fenced for cycling routes, road safety and pathway improvements, and it allows us to take forward many projects that have been requested by local communities. I am delighted that we are able to carry out this useful programme of works that will encourage cycling and walking, and also make our roads safer.”