Announcement:

Many thanks to all those who responded to our consultation. It is pleasing to see so much interest. Please see below the analysis of the survey.

There have also been responses from landowners, RSPB and Nature Scotland. An Ecology report is expected soon.

The route alignment is under revision following feedback.Revisions will be circulated in due course.

Main Consultation Findings:

  • 73% of consultees agreed with the idea of a safe, dual-use path between Bowmore and Bridgend and felt the route looked safe (50%), encouraged exercise (16%), and was well designed (26%).

  • The ‘Green route’ at the start of the path was preferred by the consultees (65%). The principal designer will explore the constraints and opportunities associated with this route option during further design stages.

Top Concerns:

  1. It may disturb the wildlife:

    In the coming months an ecologist will appraise the site area that will potentially be impacted by the path; their recommendations will be taken on board and possibly change the proposed alignment to prevent damage to the wildlife & ecology.

    Adding plants and trees where necessary along the path is one effective way to screen it from the surrounding wildlife.

  2. The tide may affect the use of the path, and result in quicker structural deterioration. It will be costly to maintain:

    The route may be realigned to lie outwith coastal flood zones where this is possible.

    Developing the green route section as opposed to the orange route section will move this part of the path away from the coast. Ongoing engineering investigations and land ownership discussions will inform where the rest of the path can lie.

  3. The path will cause car park overcrowding:

    People in vehicles from other parts of the island who wouldn’t usually travel to the site may do so to use the path for leisure purposes.

    Overall though, it is expected that the number of people travelling by car will reduce as a result of the path.

    Impacts on the car parking provision will be considered.*

Consultees felt the proposal was missing:

  1. An environmental impact assessment:

    In the coming months, an ecologist will appraise the site area potentially impacted by the path; their findings and recommendations may result in changes to the path alignment to prevent damage to wildlife & ecology in the area.

Top consultee ‘wants’ included:

  • Benches, picnic tables & bins installed alongside the path

  • Bird hides

  • Electric bike charging points

  • Cycle repair stations

  • Weather shelters

Where the budget will allow, elements mentioned above will be considered for incorporation within the path proposal.

*Funding from Sustrans to develop the design of & to build this path cannot be used to improve car parking facilities.

Welcome

Welcome to our consultation on the proposed development of a dual-purpose pathway from Bowmore to Bridgend.

The purpose of this consultation is to present Islay Community Access Group’s plans to construct a pathway from Bowmore to Islay House Square in Bridgend.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions a public event will not be possible, and an online solution has been provided to replace it. This is in keeping with recent legislation and guidance from the Scottish Government.

We have set out below details of a route with two options through to the centre of Bowmore.

We are inviting our local community to review our emerging plans with the aim of completing the questionnaire and presenting your comments, likes and dislikes, suggestions and priorities.

Your feedback will enable us to adjust and finalise our plans ready for presentation for planning permission.

Introduction

Our community’s longstanding desire to travel by foot or cycle between Bridgend, via the Gaelic college, has encouraged ICAG, Sustrans, and Argyll & Bute Council to design such a route. The path is designed to run along the coastline from within Bowmore to Islay House square. It is planned there will be rest areas and discreetly positioned bird hides along its length.

It will be a major asset to our island.

Background

A pedestrian and cycle link between Bowmore village and The Gaelic College has been repeatedly suggested over the years. There has not been a local organisation to take this project forward until now. The bold idea of extending the route from the centre of Bowmore to Islay House Square in Bridgend to add to an increasing network of paths on Islay is thought timely.

Islay Community Access Group [Scottish Charity SC07772] advocates safe access to the countryside for recreation, health, education and community benefit for all ages and disabilities. Its record since 2013 indicates it has gained the experience, skills and structure to deliver very substantial projects and gaining the confidence of major national funding bodies. Working with Sustrans and Argyll & Bute Council we have maintained an ethos of Climate Challenge by using locally sourced materials, local workforce and recycled materials the aim to emulate the popular Three Distilleries Path on south Islay and the Bruichladdich to Port Charlotte route on the Rhinns of Islay presently under construction.

Tourism has long been a cornerstone of our economy. Recent years has seen a marked rise is visitors, the majority in their own vehicles. We need safer transit for all around our Island.

We have to recover from this Covid-19 pandemic. The new route should encourage the local economy by allowing easier access to Islay House Square. The construction will offer employment which may be difficult in the future.

Our health and well-being will be improved by having easy access to the open air and countryside. We need to build on this.

This consultation is intended to inform the community of our proposals.

All enquiries to:

Pat. McGrann - 01496 302122 / pat.mcgrann@btinternet.com

Neil Woodrow - 01496 810818 / nw.smo@uhi.ac.uk

This consultation closed on 7th December 2020

 Proposed Route

Indicative Project Timeline

Section A

 Section B

 Section C

 Section D

 Section E