UPDATE 6th August 2022

From Carlyn Fraser, Team Leader – Operations (Network), Stirling Council

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"I can confirm that the temporary closure on Lover’s Walk came into force on 28th February 2022 and is due to continue until 19th October 2022. After that time, the road is due to reopen.

 

There are no plans to permanently close Lover’s Walk at this time. However, Stirling Council are exploring a number of options that could see the use of Lover’s Walk change over the coming years.

 

Option 1:
Road operation remains the same but works are carried out on the footway and at the riverside are to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Option 2:
Road will undergo some changes to priorities allowing pedestrians and cyclists more space within the carriageway.

 

Option 3:

Road closed to motor vehicles - if this were to go ahead, it would be part of a wider suite of projects. These would include pedestrian infrastructure improvements on Stevenson Bridge, at the school and on surrounding roads all aimed at reducing the impact of school traffic on Riverside and improving the safety of child pedestrians and other vulnerable user groups. A closure could be carried out on a trial basis to begin with to ensure that it does not have a detrimental effect on the working of other streets in the area.

 

I must make it clear that no decision has been made on whether the road will be permanently closed to motor vehicles and if this were to be taken forward, a full consultation would be undertaken, including the statutory traffic regulation order consultation. Only when the view of all users had been considered would we permanently close the road to motor vehicles."

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March 2022

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Network Rail have closed Lovers Walk until October 2022.

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Riverside Community Council participated in numerous talks with Network Rail and Stirling Council to discuss the impact of this closure and the steps needed to mitigate the inconvenience to the community. 

 

The request for a crossing on Forth Street and the pedestrian light to be extended were denied.

The request to allocate more time to cars leaving Riverside at the Seaforth Place and Goosecroft Road was approved.

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In March Stirling Council approached Riverside Community Council about the possibility of shutting Lovers Walk permanently to motor vehicles. Riverside Community Council remains neutral until such time as a clear community opinion has been ascertained.  We are aware this is a polarising issue and have made clear to Stirling Council that communication and consultation is the key issue in this matter.

Riverside Community Council have requested more plans and information on this proposal and that Stirling Council undertakes an extensive consultation which includes the Riverside community and the wider population that also uses Lovers Walk.

There has been nothing further from Stirling Council on this.