COUNCIL officials have expressed disappointment at some “vitriolic” social media responses to a consultation on an active travel route in Rothesay.
A second community consultation was held in August and September on the route between the town’s pavilion and Albert Pier, including a public event which attracted more than 100 people.
However, a report to go before local councillors has noted that some of the comments made on social media were described as vitriolic.
Councillors are now being recommended to instruct Argyll and Bute Council officers to undertake work to complete the design process.
The document will be considered at a meeting of the authority’s Bute and Cowal area committee on Tuesday, September 3.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “A total of 625 survey responses were received to the concept design consultation, with 110 individuals attending the public event and 19 individuals attending the follow-up meeting hosted by Rothesay Community Council.
“Ten per cent of the survey responses received agreed that the design proposed were appropriate for improving walking, wheeling, cycling and future mobility, the same percentage also considered that the designs was aligned with the needs of the community.
“It was also noted that 51 per cent of the surveys received included comments beyond the scope of the project and/or funding which indicated that the respondent had not understood the proposals and/or funding constraints.
“The consultation also generated an active social media interest, disappointingly some of which was vitriolic in nature, on both the project and community social media pages.
“While a useful communication tool, it is recognised that social media comments do not always represent a balanced view of the whole of society, and in this case, the conversation was dominated by a relatively small number of vocal individuals, some of whom appeared to be poorly informed in relation to this specific project.
“The majority of comments posted either misunderstood the project funding (e.g. that the funding isn’t ‘council’ money and is ring fenced for active travel), misunderstood the purpose of consultation (e.g. considered the project to be a ‘done deal’) or opposed the project.
“Concerns around on-street car parking, particularly in the vicinity of Battery Place, were also a reoccurring theme.”
Ms Flanagan added: “Provision of improved active travel and public realm will provide opportunities for all residents and visitors in Rothesay to travel more sustainably and actively. This will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint.
“The improvements will also help support the wider regeneration of Rothesay seafront and town centre, including supporting the local economy.
“Funding for this work has been secured from the Scottish Government’s active travel funding with further applications being developed to enable the completion of the design process if approved by members.”
