Green light for walking and cycling masterplans in Wick and Thurso

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Local councillors have rubber-stamped masterplans that could see walking and cycling overtake driving in Caithness town centres.

Updated proposals for active travel schemes in Wick and Thurso were approved at Highland Council's Caithness committee meeting on Friday.

The long-term plans could see 16km of high-quality segregated cycle and walking routes developed, as well up to five low-traffic neighbourhoods.

Two mobility hubs, offering secure cycle parking, an electric bike hire scheme and information on active travel including local routes, are also planned for the riverside car park in Wick and the train station in Thurso.

Committee chairwoman Nicola Sinclair said that while the plans were 'aspirational', some elements of the schemes should be able to go ahead relatively quickly.

"We expect funding to be made available soon, and councillors will work closely with officers and local groups to agree some ‘quick wins’ and longer-term goals," she said.

“The Scottish Government has made a commitment to make it safer and more attractive for people to choose active travel options such as walking and cycling to get out and about in their communities.

"Covid has seen more people using our beautiful local parks and walks and we know it’s beneficial to physical and mental health, so we want to encourage that wherever possible."

At Friday's meeting, the committee approved the use of the Wick and Thurso active travel masterplans as material consideration when dealing with development proposals and as supporting documents for funding bids.

"Our communities have helped shape the masterplans so I want to thank everyone for their valuable comments and feedback as local insights have such an important role in going forward," Councillor Sinclair said.

“We hope that the actions proposed to encourage active travel will help people keep the walking and cycling habit going for local trips wherever possible and we look forward to more details about sources of funding that will help us implement these changes.”

The plans, aimed at making it safer for people to walk and cycle in and around the towns, have been developed by Highland Council in partnership with HiTrans following stakeholder and public engagement exercises – held online due to the pandemic – while recognising existing and emerging national active travel guidance.

The changes are designed to realise the many benefits of active travel including health benefits, a reduction in congestion, improved air quality and the chance to improve footfall in town centres.

The report outlines specific interventions and the estimated costs to improve active travel routes for all users in both Wick and Thurso.

In Wick the three priorities identified in the masterplan are:

• The construction of over 9km of high quality segregated active travel routes along with safe crossing points

• The opportunity to develop three quiet streets/low traffic neighbourhood areas to create environments that enable walking, cycling and wheeling

• The creation of a mobility hub to enable sustainable travel choices

In Thurso the priorities are:

• The construction of over 7km of high quality segregated active travel routes along with safe crossing points

• The opportunity to develop two quiet streets / low traffic neighbourhood areas to create environments that enable walking, cycling and wheeling

• The creation of a mobility hub to enable sustainable travel choices

The council's executive chief officer for infrastructure and environment will now liaise with other bodies, including Transport Scotland, with a view to identify funding opportunities and a delivery programme to target early improvements across the Wick and Thurso active travel network.

In addition, members also agreed that further local sense-checking and discussion will be undertaken by ward members, supported by officers, as funding becomes available to implement specific proposals.

Additionally, the Caithness area chair and vice-chairs will take responsibility for investigating funding opportunities and driving implementation of the plan to improve active travel options in the county.

The Wick street design project, being led by sustainable transport charity Sustrans to shift priority in the town centre away from motor vehicles, has formed part of the desktop review for the masterplan.

Related articles:

• Work on Wick Spaces For People project to start

• Walk and cycle plan for Thurso long overdue, says councillor

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