COUNCILLORS have spoken warmly in favour of new plans for an active travel route linking Dunoon with Hunters Quay.

Initial proposals by council officials for the route had been met with criticism, but a revised plan has received more positive feedback.

A report revealed that 42 per cent of respondents in a consultation were supportive of the new plans, while 46 per cent were unsupportive.

The plans, which will now go to the next stage, were discussed at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Bute and Cowal area committee on Tuesday, September 3.

Councillor William Sinclair (Cowal, Liberal Democrat) said to a council officer: “There is a lot of stuff in the media regarding Scottish Government funding for any project. What is your feeling on this?”

Douglas Grierson, the council’s project officer, responded: “It is very hard to say whether it is classed as essential funding or not. Without funding the project would not progress.

“Messages coming out at the moment in terms of shortfalls and budgets is not particularly good, but there is no indication that SUSTRANS would not support the project.

“There is a shortfall in funding from public services, so whether this is seen as a priority, I cannot really comment.”

Councillor Audrey Forrest (Dunoon, SNP) said: “This is an example of a very good and successful consultation, because the plans coming forward now bear little resemblance to what people complained about.

“It is good to be able to say to people to put their views out there, because they do get listened to and have been in this.

“I would not have been able to support the first set of plans, but this set is different and has considered a lot that was not considered the first time.”

Councillor Daniel Hampsey (Dunoon, Conservative) added: “I would echo what Councillor Forrest has said. It is really good to see how quick a turnaround there was in providing a new proposal.

“Councillor Sinclair and I attended a public meeting at the start and people were very irritated, so credit to yourself and the team.”