THE Helensburgh to Dumbarton cycle path could run closer to the A814, as opposed to previous plans which saw it closer to the railway.
Council officers revealed six years ago that the preferred route would see the pathway turn southwards at Moss Road, and run alongside the rail line.
However, the latest update to councillors has revealed that it may now run adjacent to the main road linking Helensburgh with Cardross, where a section of cycle path is already built.
It is also reported that landowners along the route have stated their support for a route on the southern side of the A814.
The update will go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “As a number of changes have occurred since the current preferred route alignment was selected in 2019, a deliverability review re-considering the route adjacent to the inland side of the railway line and a route adjacent to the A814 road is being undertaken by the design consultants, Connected Transport Planning (CTP).
“The purpose of this review is to identify the most deliverable alignment, considering a range of relevant factors including construction works, drainage, land take, maintainability, landowner support and ecology.
“The team are working towards concluding the deliverability review of phase one route options this calendar year.
“At time of writing, the review indicates that a route following the southern (seaward) side of the A814 would be more deliverable compared to a route following the inland side of the railway.
“Both routes are forecast to provide a similar level of end-user benefits with the road route offering additional advantages in terms of natural surveillance and user safety. Therefore, at the time of writing the emerging preferred route for phase one is adjacent to the A814.”
Ms Flanagan added: “As part of the deliverability review of phase one, officers and consultancy staff working collaboratively have continued to meet with landowners to seek their support for a single route. All landowners have provisionally stated support for a route following the A814.
“It is expected that having full landowner support for a single route will ultimately enable faster development and delivery of the route by avoiding compulsory purchase. Landowner support is therefore a consideration in the route deliverability review process.
“Following conclusion of the deliverability review, and any decision required on route alignment to be developed, to continue to make progress with this project; it is proposed that the consultant’s civil engineering team should progress to developing designs for the route identified as the most deliverable up to developed design stage, suitable for future public engagement in spring/summer 2026.”
