Perth and Kinross Council is planning to spend thousands of pounds on “safer streets” projects, including traffic-calming measures and cycle schemes.
The local authority has been offered a £232,000 grant from Scottish Ministers on the proviso that the money will be used for a programme of cycling, walking and safer streets projects (CWSS).
As a condition of the grant, councils are expected to consider spending at least 36% of the cash and preferably more than 50% on supporting and promoting cycling.
A host of projects has been identified for possible funding for the 2014-15 financial year.
One of the major programmes would see £55,000 spent on widening and surfacing the footway along Dunkeld Road between Bute Drive and McLennan Road, Perth.
The projects also include the continuation of a scheme to provide “build-outs” along Marshall Way in Luncarty to reduce traffic speed and help pedestrian access to the local primary school. This would cost £10,000.
Similarly, the council intends to spend £14,000 on providing a one-way system and widening a footway in Swansacre, Kinross.
The local authority also plans to invest £8,000 on the construction of a footway link in Cairnie Road, St Madoes.
Works previously approved by the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee included investing £35,000 on a puffin crossing in Burrell Street, Crieff, to help pedestrians reach local schools.
In addition, the council agreed to grant £25,000 towards traffic-calming measures in Bute Drive, Perth. These included establishing 20mph speed limit markings and a zebra crossing.
The cycle schemes that are “match funded” by Sustrans include the Ardblair Trail, Blairgowrie; road humps to be built in School Road, Coupar Angus; a shared- use path in Ardler and Killicrankie; and the introduction of a lower speed limit in Saline Road, Blairingone.
A report by Charles Haggart, the council’s traffic and network manager, says: “All schemes will be implemented within the current financial year, with design briefs currently allocated and some works provisionally programmed.
Sustrans has confirmed that it will provide match funding of approximately £124,500 for 10 of the 14 schemes.
The CWSS projects will be discussed at today’s meeting of the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee through its Community Links 2014/15 Programme.