Communities across Argyll and Bute are set to benefit from a host of active travel projects following the announcement of new Scottish Government funding.

Argyll and Bute Council has received an award of £771,900 from the Places for Everyone programme to deliver ambitious regeneration projects through design stage to construction.

Places for Everyone is a Scottish Government funded infrastructure programme, administered by Sustrans, which aims to create safe, attractive, healthier places by increasing the number of trips made by walking, cycling and wheeling.

The projects will include major upgrades to walking, wheeling and cycling paths and improved links to town centres and communities.

They include:

• Rothesay – Walking, wheeling and cycling improvements from the High Street to the towns Joint Campus and improved links to the local hospital, leisure centre and park.

• Lochgilphead – New active travel routes will improve links from the towns school campus and Business Park, to Lochgilphead town centre.

• Islay – A partnership project with Islay Community Access Group (ICAG) and local landowners will create a new, off-road walking, wheeling and cycling route connecting Bowmore and Bridgend. 

• Jura – working with the local community to support the Isle of Jura Community Action Plan by developing innovative, value-for-money interventions to make walking and cycling more accessible between Craighouse and the residential area at Corran Sands/Knockrome.

• Dunoon to Hunters Quay – Design of improved walking, wheeling and cycling link between Dunoon Town Centre and Hunters Quay Ferry Terminal.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “These projects are another significant step in the Council’s ongoing drive to regenerate our communities, helping to make Argyll and Bute an attractive places to work, live and visit.

“We want to encourage active travel options which promote healthier living and give people a better range of transport choices, all of which contributes to our targets for a climate friendly Argyll and Bute.

“All the projects have been designed to meet the aspirations of communities. The feedback we have received from local groups in formulating our plans has been invaluable as we move to the construction stage.”

Infrastructure Coordinator for Sustrans Emily Gait, added: “We’re excited to be working with Argyll and Bute Council on this raft of new projects as well as the local communities that will benefit from them. Those living and working in these communities will soon be able to get involved in order to ensure the designs proposed work for them.”