Helensburgh & Lomond Cycleways
In November 2000, Argyll and Bute Council secured £1.9M through the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund for the construction of cycleways in Helensburgh and Lomond.
The aim of the project is to construct three main routes:
Route 1 – Dumbarton to Helensburgh (14.3km)
This route runs from West Brigend in Dumbarton, via Cardross to Helensburgh. The route links into the National Cycle Network, Route 7 at Dumbarton and uses a combination of coastal, roadside and on-road paths.
Route 2 – Helensburgh to Garelochhead (12.9km)
This route provides a path from Helensburgh to Garelochhead along the A814 generally using on-road cycle lanes and widened remote footways.
Route 3 – Arden to Helensburgh (12.2km)
This route runs alongside the B831 and B832 from Arden Roundabout to Sinclair Street in Helensburgh. At Arden it will link to the recently completed 20 mile long Balloch to Tarbet cycleway.
Progress to Date
Route 1 – Dumbarton to Helensburgh
Upgrading of the section of path between West Brigend and Havoc in Dumbarton was completed in 2002.
Unfortunately, because of difficulties with land negotiations, the section from Havoc to Craigendoran has been delayed and a start date is not known.
Route 2 – Helensburgh to Garelochhead
80% of this route was completed in 2002. The cyclepath is complete from Glasgow Street in Helensburgh to Rhu Marina and from Aros Road, Rhu to Garelochhead.
The section still to be completed runs from the marina at Rhu Bay to Manse Brae.
Route 3 – Arden to Helensburgh
The contract for this 7.5km route was awarded in March 2004 and works are progressing well. Works should be complete by the end of August.
Recently an 18m span bridge was installed overnight at Callendoune on the B832.
Other Works connected with the Cycle Network
The main aim of building the cycle network is to encourage cycling as a healthy alternative mode of transport. The project includes the provision of additional cycle lockers / stands at Helensburgh Central, Craigendoran, Cardross, Dumbarton Central, Dalreoch and Balloch railway stations.
To improve the link to cycling facilities in Inverclyde, money has been set aside to upgrade Helensburgh Pier. This involves constructing a multi-level section to cater for different tidal conditions and the provision of wider gangways to improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians using the ferry.
This project has also received further funding of £234,000 from the European Regional Development Fund - Western Scotland Objective 2, 2000-2006 programme.
Sustrans.
