Crieff Community Trust is close to securing funding for our new project to create an active travel path linking MacRosty Park via Turretbank Wood to the rest of Lady Mary’s Walk. The new route with a smooth, even surface would enable more users to access this beautiful location.   The major funder requires us to choose the most reliable and long-lasting surface for the terrain and to show evidence of community support  – so we are seeking your opinion by Friday 6 June please.

The link path following the route shown above and on the model in the window in James Square currently has planning permission for Ultitrec, an open-bound surface with minimal visual impact. However, it is less durable on slopes, especially in wet or freezing conditions, and would require ongoing maintenance, and thus more fund raising in the near future. The major funder requires a 15-year maintenance free surface, and our designer recommends switching to Asphalt/DBM (Dense Bituminous Macadam)  – a stronger, low-maintenance surface that holds up better on gradients and would give a 15-year maintenance-free provision. It has a slightly greater visual impact to begin with but soon fades.

A cinder/ type 1 path is not an option because, in short, the only available funder requires a long life path surface. This can only be achieved with a sealed surface. Unbound surfaces such as cinder / dust and stone are not durable and costly to maintain and therefore more difficult to attract funding. In the current climate funders are looking for value for money which equates to  longevity and low maintenance. In this instance Type 1 / dust and stone / cinder etc are not viable options for the funder.

The recent change of material from Ultitrec is being considered due to the change in funder and funding requirements. Greater longevity of path materials is required to ensure the path infrastructure remains robust and open for use for the next 15 years. All materials brought into the area will have an urban appearance to them at first and all will fade due to weathering. Securing the longevity of a path during times of economic uncertainty in active travel infrastructure is considered the proposed prudent approach.

CCT has been working for a long while to secure funding for the path. Whilst the cinder path option might be preferred by many, the reality is that with the changed funding environment we are facing a simple choice. The only remaining major funder requires a 15 year maintenance capability for which DBM/ asphalt as the surface is the only option. (See below for further explanation of pros and cons of the different surfaces.)

Before applying to change the planning permission, we want to hear what the community thinks, please click here to complete the Facebook poll.