Scrap Helensburgh-Dumbarton cycle path, pleads councillor

A COUNCILLOR has called for the long-running Helensburgh to Dumbarton cycle path project to be scrapped.

Councillor George Freeman also asked how much time and money had been used on the project, which can now trace its roots back almost 20 years.

And Councillor Gary Mulvaney also raised the issue of whether the matter was still a priority for Argyll and Bute Council.

But other local councillors continued to support the proposals, with Councillor David Kinniburgh reiterating his pleas for the focus to remain on the Helensburgh to Cardross phase of the path.

The matter was the subject of lengthy discussion among members of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Thursday, September 19.

Councillor Freeman said: “Where do you start? I am up and down that road all the time and never see a soul on the cycle path sections which are built.

“I also look at other works, like the cycle route from Helensburgh to Garelochhead station, and cyclists do not use it. That is completely about the condition of it.

“I can still remember the day when I got a phone call at home from a certain member who informed me that the Scottish Government had allocated all this money for the project.

“I said it would be better getting ploughed into roads, and I am still of that view now. This project should have been ditched long ago.

“I wonder how much money and officers’ time over the years has been ploughed into this damn ridiculous project?

“If there is a way of getting out of it, we should ask our officers to investigate.”

A consultation in June revealed that 59 per cent of 326 respondents wanted to see the Helensburgh to Cardross phase re-routed away from the A814.

Councillor Mulvaney said: “I don’t accept the premise that it is a council priority. If it is a priority, put council money into it.

“After 17 to 18 years it is hard to argue that it is a priority – it is like a bad hangover.”

“What concerns me about the change of route is – who responded to the consultation? Was it people who would use the path?

“One of the bugbears I have is that a number of times when I have driven that road, cyclists have still been using it, with the path lying directly opposite.

“Professional cyclists won’t use it. We know there would be benefits for people walking, but it is branded a cycle path.”

But Councillor David Kinniburgh said: “We are distinguishing between different types of cyclist.”I’ve seen them coming down that road, and once they get to Colgrain Farm, they go on to the cycle path.”It WILL be used – it doesn’t matter where we put it. You will never get somebody with a road bike to use the path – it is a fact of life.

“There is a cycle path that goes from Dumbarton to Glasgow. You do still see cyclists on the dual carriageway, but if you go on to the cycle path there are hundreds of people on bikes, including children.

“The reason the Helensburgh path doesn’t get used at the moment is because it goes nowhere. Once it goes to Colgrain farm, you need to turn back.

“When it is built, you will get people using it, and when phase two is complete, you may even get people cycling to Dumbarton.”

Councillor Ellen Morton added: “Pupils from Hermitage Academy would use it if you had the right quality of path.

“The distance from Helensburgh to this end of Cardross is very short by bike, and there are young people who could cycle it no problem at all.”

And Councillor Richard Trail, seated next to Councillor Freeman, said: “I disassociate myself entirely from Councillor Freeman’s entirely negative remarks.”

Council official Colin Young, strategic transportation delivery officer with the council, advised the meeting said the result of a bid for further funding from SUSTRANS for the Cardross to Helensburgh phase is likely to be known in October.

A total of £210,000 has provisionally been approved by the walking and cycling charity for parts of the Cardross to Dumbarton phase.

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