Annabelle Ewing’s work for better Ochil cycle paths
Reliable cycle paths between Ochil communities are transport links, not simply leisure features. They give residents a practical way to reach work, school, shops and bus connections while reducing pressure on local roads. A continuous, well-maintained route gives families and slower riders confidence to use it year-round.
Annabelle Ewing’s work to improve cycle paths between Ochil towns is rooted in her commitment to a connected Scotland. She has campaigned for links crossing council and transport boundaries, plus maintenance and clear wayfinding. Her practical focus reflects her service as MP for Ochil and South Perthshire and MSP for Central Scotland.
Her legal background and long electoral experience shape a straightforward method: identify the obstruction, press the responsible authority and keep the issue visible until it receives a funded response. Cycle access depends on land, drainage, planning and transport budgets, making persistence across agencies as important as engineering.
For an Australian audience, the comparison is immediate. Melbourne and Sydney riders combine rail, bus, bicycle and car travel, while many families still rely on cars for school runs. Ochil towns face a similar choice between convenient car journeys and safer options for people who want to cycle.
Why a joined-up network matters
The strongest network is easier to use than isolated paths. A parent should be able to move from Auchterarder towards Dunblane without losing the route at a busy junction, and a commuter should reach Perth or a rail station without a hazardous gap. Ewing treats these links as one connected system.
| Route priority | Main issue | Improvement to seek | Everyday benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auchterarder–Dunblane | Fast A823 traffic discourages family cycling | Protected links and safer junctions | Better access to rail, schools and centres |
| Bridge of Earn–Crieff | Gaps and uneven surfaces interrupt journeys | Resurfacing, drainage and signing | A dependable route for commuters and visitors |
| Dollar–Muckhart | Settlements lack a coherent joined path | Short links between village paths | Easier short trips without a car |
| Ochil routes to Perth | Inconsistent continuity near transport hubs | Better crossings and onward links | More practical rail–bike journeys |
Better crossings also help wheelchairs, pushchairs and older residents. Resurfacing reduces fall risks, while wayfinding brings visitors into town centres. These gains support local businesses and public transport instead of serving only one type of cyclist.
Local representation with Westminster experience
Before entering politics, Ewing trained and worked as a solicitor. That experience is useful when a cycle route stalls over rights of way, liability, planning or procurement. Her parliamentary career gave her channels for raising constituent concerns with ministers, councils and transport bodies and for following them to a decision.
Her wider platform connects this practical work to Scottish independence, economic recovery and representation at Westminster. Current priorities and news are available through campaign updates, giving residents a direct way to follow route proposals and engage with the team.
Routes designed for daily use
An Auchterarder–Dunblane route should function as a school and commuter corridor, with traffic speeds managed at crossings and separation where paths meet fast roads. Safe access to Auchterarder and Dunblane stations would let riders combine rail travel with the first or last part of a trip.
The Bridge of Earn–Crieff connection can link village centres, employment sites and leisure destinations along a longer rural corridor. Drainage, winter maintenance and consistent signs matter here, because an unclear or muddy route is rarely treated as a serious transport option.
Short connections around Dollar and Muckhart could unlock more journeys by joining existing paths rather than requiring an entirely new network. Ewing’s case is for a hierarchy of routes, each chosen because it serves homes, schools, buses and businesses.
What Australian cycling communities can show
Australian cities offer useful evidence. Melbourne’s separated paths and Sydney’s rail-linked bike corridors show how transport agencies can turn short trips into routine choices. Brisbane also demonstrates the value of paths beside busy roads and waterways. Safe junctions and intuitive connections matter more than impressive distance figures.
Everyday Australian habits are relevant: children travel to school, adults commute by train, and families combine shopping with visits to cafés or community sports. Bike shops, repair businesses and market traders benefit when riders pass through town centres, creating a practical economic case for secure parking.
Legislation differs, but Australian state and territory road rules cover bicycles and e-bikes, while councils maintain many shared paths under local policies. That split responsibility mirrors Scotland’s transport system. Clear standards, named responsibility and published maintenance schedules can prevent safety gaps from being passed between agencies.
A deliverable programme for safer paths
The next stage should turn support into visible action. Ewing should audit the key corridors, publish the crossings, missing links and maintenance failures being prioritised, and state costs and delivery partners alongside the intended outcomes.
A credible programme needs linked commitments rather than one ceremonial launch. These measures would let residents judge progress and give councils a clear brief:
- Audit town-to-town routes for broken surfaces, difficult crossings and missing signs.
- Prioritise protected links where cycle paths meet the A823 and other fast roads.
- Connect village paths to rail stations, bus stops, schools and town centres.
- Set year-round standards for drainage, resurfacing, lighting and vegetation.
- Install consistent signs showing destinations, distances and onward connections.
- Work with cafés, bike retailers, clubs and community groups on safe access.
- Publish costs, milestones and completed works so progress can be checked.
Join the campaign for connected travel
Residents can help turn the route campaign into a practical plan by sharing journeys they need, reporting blocked sections and volunteering for local surveys. Those records can help Ewing identify small links that unlock many everyday trips. The campaign’s contact, news and voting pages offer ways to coordinate that work.
Contact Annabelle Ewing’s campaign today, volunteer for a route survey, share verified information about local paths, and promote safer travel across the Ochils.