Issue - meetings

Question on Dunoon’s Active Travel Route

Several members of the public raised concerns on the plans to link Dunoon and Hunters Quay with a new active travel route and asked if further detail on the justification for this route could be shared with residents.

Councillor Moreland advised that the active travel route was instigated by the Charette that had been drafted in 2016 and that at the moment a stage 1 consultation is being undertaken, with a further 6 stages of development to follow. Councillor Moreland highlighted that members of the public need to make their feelings known during the consultation process and that he expects the final route to look very different once resident’s comments had been taken into consideration.

The Committee were asked what their feelings were on the proposals. Members of the Area Committee recognised that the initial plans do not have widespread support and encouraged people to engage with the consultation to ensure the final route reflects the wishes of residents, offers value for money and encourages active travel.

A resident commented that the consultation did not offer an opportunity to suggest alternative proposals and that residents were forced to choose from 3 options.

Councillor Moreland confirmed that should responders to the consultation wish they can submit alternative plans to Stantec via e-mail.

Question from Valerie Edmonson

Valerie Edmonson raised concerns regarding the demise of the Dial-a-Bus and replacement Pingo Service in the Cowal Peninsula which has negatively impacted on elderly and disabled users. Ms Edmonson advised that she had been told that the Pingo service was to be booked via an app or call centres which was not user friendly for service users, specifically elderly customers.

Councillor Hampsey advised that as Chair of the Cowal Transport Forum he was happy to take this issue forward and provide an update at the next meeting of the Forum which is scheduled to be held on 13 September 2023.

Question from John Brint, Ardentinny Community Council

Mr Brint raised concerns on road safety in Ardentinny and advised that Ardentinny Community Council had sent a letter of improvement requests to the Roads Department and asked the Committee for support on this matter.

The Project Manager advised that the department had received the letter on the 29^th May and that they were currently in the process of looking through it. Mr Calder further advised that the department would respond to Mr Brint on all his points and would organise a meeting onsite to discuss further.