Petition to Protect Loch Lomond’s Shoreline to be Considered by Scottish Parliament Committee
On Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will once again review petition PE 1967. The petition, titled “To protect Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oakwood shoreline by implementing the High Road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan,” is being jointly presented by Helensburgh and District Access Trust (HADAT) and the conservation charity, Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs (FOLLAT).
These organizations are urging individuals to sign the petition and “Save the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond!” The petition has gained support from Professor Lynne Pearce of Lancaster University, who is also the author of the upcoming book, Britain’s Changing Roadscapes: Mobility, Memory, Attachment, Loss (Routledge, forthcoming). Pearce states, “The A82 along Loch Lomondside regularly tops surveys of ‘Best British Drives,’ with the turn-off at Tarbet experienced by many drivers as the ‘gateway to the highlands’ (see Society for All British Road Enthusiasts [SABRE] website). However, rather less attention has been paid to the recreational and cultural significance of the road for the generations of day-trippers for whom the woodlands, beaches and viewpoints along the northern shores of the loch hold special memories and, arguably, a claim to stewardship.”
FOLLAT and HADAT argue that Transport Scotland’s decision to select the Low Road route was made without a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of all options. They believe that the High Road option has several advantages, including preserving 17 kilometers of the old road, ancient oak woods, historic General Wade’s Road, and unspoilt shoreline. This would allow wildlife to thrive and reconnect with the loch. They also point out that the ecological impact of the High Road alternative would be minimal, and the old road could continue to carry traffic during the construction period. Furthermore, the Three Lochs Way Great Walking Trail could be linked to the West Highland Way at Inverarnan, creating a round Loch Lomond walking and cycling route. The by-pass of Tarbet and Ardlui by heavy traffic would improve the quality of life for residents and alleviate road safety concerns in the villages and at Arrochar Primary School. Additionally, the higher and straighter route would be faster and safer than any loch side route could ever be, and it would alleviate visitor management pressures along the entire length of the old road and in the congested Tarbet Bay area. A high road would also provide stunning views of Loch Lomond.
John Urquhart, the Chair of FOLLAT, expressed his delight in the fact that the petition is still gaining signatures, with a total of 764 to date. He stated, “Huge damage was already done to the oakwood lined western shoreline of Loch Lomond south of Tarbet in the 1980’s road widening. Now, in these times of global warming, the last thing that should be happening is to inflict further damage to the shoreline woods north of Tarbet.” Urquhart also pointed out that the Petitions Committee has yet to fulfill its promise to visit the loch and see the situation firsthand. He hopes that they will do so this time.
The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will discuss the petition at its meeting at the Scottish Parliament on November 27th, 2024. To view the full history of the petition, please visit https://www.parliament.scot/get-involved/petitions/view-petitions/pe1967-protect-loch-lomonds-atlantic-oakwood-shoreline-by-implementing-the-high-road-option.
This news article was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
