Active Travel Set to Go Up a Gear

Active travel could be set to go up a gear across Dundee, as councillors consider proposals for projects which include the design of links to and from the Eden site.

Councillors will be asked to approve the start of procurement exercises for consultancy on three potential programmes. One will support the council to develop concept designs for high quality, attractive active travel links for people walking, wheeling and cycling from the proposed Eden site to and from the Eastern Quarter of the city centre and nearby communities.

Meanwhile, a project for City Centre Traffic Modelling will support the Council to identify a transport network arrangement. The third initiative would be to help develop a design for sustainable transport corridors on Lochee Road and Arbroath Road which integrate active travel and bus priority measures.

Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “As we look to the future and work to meet our climate and net zero commitments, active travel will play an increasingly important role in that journey.

“The designs for a range of projects we are considering shows how seriously the council is taking its responsibilities as we plan ahead. Developing active travel routes to and from the Eden site would make a strong statement about our intentions.”

Other active travel proposals will also be considered by the committee at its meeting. A tender for £884,408 is being recommended for work around the Broughty Ferry to Monifieth Active Travel project, which was officially opened in May. The proposed package covers junction improvement crossings and carriageway resurfacing. This includes new tabletop crossings at the Esplanade’s junctions with Brook Street, Panmure Street and Rugby Terrace, as was proposed in the overall master plan for this project.  These interventions will help improve pedestrian safety while people access the new active travel route.

Councillors will hear that the contract award, to Tayside Contracts, is subject to Transport Scotland funding grant award. Meanwhile, the committee is being asked to approve a near £40,000 tender for feasibility and concept design options for active travel between McAlpine Road and Harestane Road. It is part of a wider drainage project being taken forward by the city council and Scottish Water to manage storm water and reduce flood risks in the St Mary’s area. Benefits include improving areas of greenspace for walking, cycling, play and recreation. A report recommends the acceptance of a tender from Atkins Realis UK.

Councillor Rome added: “I am delighted how the transformational project between Broughty Ferry and Monifieth has opened an impressive corridor for active travel and links up with the route right the way through Dundee. “The work proposed will help add the finishing touches to this initiative and will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists joining this route. “A feasibility study to look at active travel in St Mary’s will allow the council to consider further the aspirations of including these improvements within the wider project, and I look forward to hearing the results.”

The Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee meets on Monday August 19.

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