Two more sections of the Loch Earn Railway Path have been upgraded to ‘all ability’ status.
St Fillans Community Trust (SFCT) and Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Trust (BLSCT) have been working closely together to plan the final stages of the Loch Earn Railway Path Project. They are hoping that the Railway Path linking the Villages of Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie, with a safe all-ability route, will be completed by 2030.
Project Co-ordinator, Geoff Carter, said: “With unwavering support and crucial funding from the Scottish Government via an Award from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s Network Development Programme (formally Sustrans) and the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, together with the Engineering, Design and Project Planning expertise from Transport, Planning & Engineering (TP&E), two further phases of the Project were upgraded at the start of this year. The long awaited section at Lochearnhead, including the ‘impassable cutting’ has been ‘tarmacked’ and the overgrown section at Derry Wood has been cleared, widened and surfaced. We are truly grateful for the support of the Communities and Agencies involved in this ongoing project, which brings real benefits to our Communities and to all our visitors.”
Chris Brace, Principal Network Development Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: “At Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, we’re working to make it possible for more people to walk, wheel and cycle across the country. We want to see connected neighbourhoods where everyone can move around with ease and this newall abilities path provides a safe, accessible route for everyday journeys. The route forms part of the wider aspirational National Cycle Network Route 775, with community-led ambitions to create a fully connected route between Lochearnhead and Crieff. This route will improve connectivity and accessibility across the area, where there is currently a lack of safe, off-road provision for people walking, wheeling and cycling. Continued investment will help deliver a more accessible, joined-up network across Scotland and there is real excitement about the progress being made.”
The Community Trusts are keen that locals and visitors go to see these latest improvements and to use the Railway Path as much as possible. They would also appreciate any feedback regarding the whole route, as this will help plan how to tackle the upgrading of the last few sections.
With thanks, SFCT & BLSCT
To view the latest before and after photos, click here.
To view the latest version of the Achievement Plan, click here.