A groundbreaking active travel network, Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling, has officially opened, set to revolutionise how people move around Stirling and the wider region.

The £11 million project has created over 6.5 km of new cycling, walking, and wheeling corridors, seamlessly connecting communities, businesses, and higher education institutions throughout the city.

This significant infrastructure development is a cornerstone of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, a £214 million partnership involving both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, the University of Stirling, and the UK and Scottish Governments. The project received funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme (£8.4 million), the City Region Deal (£2.5 million), and Stirling Council developer contributions (£325,000).

Route one of the network establishes a vital link between Stirling Train Station and the University of Stirling, passing iconic landmarks such as Old Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument. Route two bridges the gap between Forth Valley College and Stirling's historic city centre, situated beneath Stirling Castle.

The new infrastructure is also designed to facilitate future connections to Clackmannanshire and the broader Forth Valley region, aligning with the objectives of Stirling Council's Climate and Nature Emergency Plan.

The official opening took place on Thursday, 24 April at a section of the route adjacent to Wallace High School, with staff and pupils, funding partners, and key local stakeholders in attendance.

-- Advertisement --

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop expressed her satisfaction: "I'm very pleased to officially open the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. Funded by almost £11 million from the Scottish Government, these two new major active travel corridors will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys. This means more people saving money, living healthier lives and leaving their car at home to reduce their emissions. To support the ambitions of Scotland's local authorities for more high quality active travel infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options." She also highlighted the Scottish Government's £45 million investment in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal to boost transport, tourism, training, business growth, and climate change projects.

Stirling Council Depute Leader, Cllr Jen Preston, hailed the project's completion: "I'm thrilled we are marking the completion of this landmark project that will transform how people and places in Stirling are connected. Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling sets a new standard for active travel infrastructure in a Scottish city. For the first time ever, there are seamless routes for cycling and walking in the heart of Stirling, linking communities and public transport hubs to businesses, schools, the university and college, as well as the wider region. The new infrastructure has already been used by people of all ages in our communities, including by pupils and staff at Wallace High, and it's going to be a key part of how we support the growing shift to active travel as well as increasing footfall and economic activity for our businesses. I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during the works, and we are committed to engaging with them to unlock the full benefits of this major investment."

Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone at Sustrans, described the project as "transformational for the city," making walking, wheeling, and cycling safer and easier for everyday journeys, benefiting health, finances, and the local environment.

Further information on the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal can be found at www.stirclacksdeal.com, and details on Sustrans' Places for Everyone Funding are available at www.google.com/search?q=www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/places-for-everyone.