by Communications TEAM | May 1, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News
Our Bridge of Allan Plan last year led to the Bridge of Allan Community Action Plan.
We are now taking this forward with a focus on planning. We aim to submit our Local Place Plan to Stirling Council by October 2025.
Local Place Plans give communities an opportunity to discuss and agree our aspirations for future development in our local area. These will be taken into account in the next Local Development Plan.
We are holding a drop in session in the Honeyman Hall at Bridge of Allan Parish Church on 24th May, which coincides with Friends of Bridge of Allan Plant Sale and Coffee Morning. Pop in to see our display and chat to members of the Steering Group, and add your views. We will be there from 10 until 5pm.
Our display will then transfer to Bridge of Allan Library for 4 weeks, where you will also be able to leave comments.
We will also have an online feedback facility on the Bridge of Allan Community Council website. Or come along to our monthly public meetings.
by Communications TEAM | Apr 30, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News
We have received this notification from Stirling Council:
A new £16 million flood prevention scheme for Bridge of Allan has taken a significant step forward following approval to procure a contract to design and build the defences.
The new infrastructure will protect 87 properties and 700 metres of road from flooding from the Allan Water, with flood defence walls upgraded along Allanvale Road, Cornton Road and Fountain Road and flood defence bunds added at Inverallan Road and the adjacent factory site.
In total, £12 million of funding for the scheme will be provided by the Scottish Government as part of the national programme, ‘Funding of Flood Scheme Protections’, with the remainder from Stirling Council.
Engagement and consultation has taken place on the proposals with the local community and other key stakeholders at drop-in sessions and via an online survey.
Of the 24 formal objections received to the scheme, 18 were invalid and the remaining 6 have been withdrawn following dialogue (one new objection was received before Monday’s meeting of the Environment, Transport and Next Zero Committee).
The new defence scheme is designed to protect against a flood which, statistically, occurs once every 50 years. Work is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026 and will last an estimated 18 months.
The current defences, constructed in the 1980s, are now reaching the end of their service life. As a result, some elements are in poor condition and no longer provide sufficient flood protection in the face of more frequent and intense flood events driven by climate change.
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “Delivering a new flood protection scheme for Bridge of Allan is a major priority as the existing infrastructure is not fit for purpose, especially with a changing climate and an increase in extreme weather events.
“Monday’s decision is a major milestone as it means we can start the process of appointing a specialist contractor to design and build the scheme and also ensures we keep to key project deadlines.
“The significant investment in the new defences will greatly reduce the flooding risks from the Allan Water to residents, businesses and other facilities on both banks of the river.
“Detailed planning work has gone into the new scheme and we have followed the alignment of the existing infrastructure as much as possible to minimise disruption to local communities.
“We have listened to the views of the local community as the proposals have been developed and further engagement with residents and businesses will take place before construction starts.”
Full details on the preferred option, including FAQs, are included on a dedicated website: https://flooding.stirling.gov.uk/
Final confirmation on the scheme will come before a future meeting of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee.
A recording of yesterday’s (April 28) meeting of the committee can be viewed here: https://stirling.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
by Communications TEAM | Apr 30, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News
We have received this notification from Stirling Council:
A ground-breaking active travel network that will transform how people get around Stirling and the wider region has officially opened. Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has created two new cycling, walking and wheeling corridors of more than 6.5 km that connect communities, businesses and higher education institutes across the city.
The £11 million project is a cornerstone of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, a £214 million partnership between both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, the University of Stirling and the UK and Scottish Governments.
It has been funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme (£8.4 million) and via the City Region Deal (£2.5 million), and by Stirling Council from developer contributions (£325,000).
Route one links Stirling Train Station and the University of Stirling, taking in iconic landmarks like Old Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument along the way.
Route two has bridged the gaps between Forth Valley College and Stirling’s historic city centre under the shadow of Stirling Castle.
The new infrastructure will also lay the foundations for future connections to Clackmannanshire and the wider Forth Valley region, and support the objectives of Stirling Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency Plan.
The project was officially opened today (24 April) at a section of the route next to Wallace High School, with staff and pupils, funding partners and other key local stakeholders in attendance.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m very pleased to officially open the Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project. Funded by almost £11 million from the Scottish Government, these two new major active travel corridors will make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys.
“This means more people saving money, living healthier lives and leaving their car at home to reduce their emissions.
“To support the ambitions of Scotland’s local authorities for more high quality active travel infrastructure, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options.”
“To help communities prosper, the Scottish Government is investing £45 million through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.
“The Deal aims to create 5,000 jobs in Clackmannanshire and Stirling by boosting transport, tourism, training, business growth and projects to tackle climate change.”
Stirling Council Depute Leader, Cllr Jen Preston said: “I’m thrilled we are marking the completion of this landmark project that will transform how people and places in Stirling are connected.
“Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling sets a new standard for active travel infrastructure in a Scottish city. For the first time ever, there are seamless routes for cycling and walking in the heart of Stirling, linking communities and public transport hubs to businesses, schools, the university and college, as well as the wider region.
“The new infrastructure has already been used by people of all ages in our communities, including by pupils and staff at Wallace High, and it’s going to be a key part of how we support the growing shift to active travel as well as increasing footfall and economic activity for our businesses.
“I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during the works, and we are committed to engaging with them to unlock the full benefits of this major investment.”
Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone at Sustrans said: “Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling is transformational for the city.
“Making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier means everyone moving around Stirling has more choice for everyday journeys.
“Feeling confident enough to choose to walk, wheel or cycle benefits our health, our wallets, and our local environment. We’re delighted that Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has now made these choices a reality for more people in the city.”
For more information on the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, visit: https://www.stirclacksdeal.com
For more information on Sustrans’ Places for Everyone Funding, visit: www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/places-for-everyone
by Communications TEAM | Apr 30, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News
We have received this notification from Stirling Council:
Stirling’s popular Off the Page book festival will make its return this May with art and nature key themes of this year’s packed programme.
Encounters with Scottish wildlife, tips for foraging and cooking with natural ingredients and conservation efforts in local rivers are among the topics that feature in the diverse range of indoor and outdoor events.Organised by Stirling Council’s Libraries Service, the 18th edition of the Off the Page Festival gets underway on Thursday 8 May and will run until Thursday 15 May, offering plenty for bookworms in the area.
The festival will also feature a lively evening of spoken word performances and conversations with Stirling Makar, Kevin P Gilday, alongside guests; Alan Bissett, Hannah Lavery and Jane Borges. Community Wellbeing and Housing Convener, Cllr David Wilson said: “Off the Page is continues to be a key fixture in Stirling’s cultural calendar, attracting locals and visitors every year due to its exciting events programme. From cooking up a storm in a library to conversations with top authors Book lovers of all ages will once again find a lot to enjoy this year’s line-up,
“The efforts of our hardworking libraries team make the Off the Page festival the success that it has been for the best part of two decades. Make sure to reserve your tickets early to avoid any disappointment.”
The Off the Page programme for 2025 includes:
– Children’s book illustrator, Kate McLelland leading an art workshop for 6-9 year olds at St Ninians Library
– A meet the author session with Jim Crumley, a regular columnist for Scots Magazine on his career as a nature writer. He has written over 40 books on the wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, many of them making the case for re-introduction, rewilding and conservation
– A river walk with author and conservationist Tom Bowser who will also talk about the wildlife in our local rivers at Cornton Library (this event is for children aged 8-11). Tom is a nature writer, journalist and wildlife guide. From his family farm near Dunblane he runs the award-winning Argaty Red Kite project.
– MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Theo Chana providing a live demonstration at Stirling Central Library on how to forage and cook using natural ingredients to support sustainable, healthy living.
Places at all events must be booked in advance, the full programme and details on how to reserve a place are available on the Stirling Council website.
( Some events are free, others a modest fee or donation. The method of booking varies for each one)
Click here to the Stirling Council to whats on in the Libraries Off the Page
by Communications TEAM | Apr 14, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News
Stirling Council Community Development have published the April issue of the CDNews Bulletin.
This issue includes: Community Empowerment Review; Young Carers Covenant; Village Halls and Community Centre Network; Community Spaces Improvement Grant; Free Training; Urgent request for Drivers and more.
