ALLOA'S former public toilets could get a new lease of life as a focal point of active travel in the area.

A feasibility study is currently underway by Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSi) to establish an Active Travel Hub at the now vacant buildings behind Shillinghill.

It would promote walking, running and cycling, but has the potential to be so much more.

As part of the study, people are being urged to complete a survey to establish what activities people would take part in and how commutes can be improved.

Anthea Coulter, chief officer at CTSi, explained a hub locally could manifest itself in a number of ways, as typified by the existing ones at Stirling, Falkirk and Ayr.

She said: "We are, really, exploring at the moment; what do people want?

"What could that [the toilets] turn into? It could be more than just an Active Travel Hub."

In one sense, the focus is on older people and getting them active, especially with a new town centre development at Primrose Street, which will include social and sheltered housing.

In particular, CTSi is keen to hear what barriers prevent older people from travelling actively.

Some initial responses suggest there are people who would like to see the toilets back in place, though facilities are available at the Speirs Centre a few blocks away.

The hub could be a place where activities start and participants gather, it could lend or help maintain bikes, but thoughts are it could even help bring tourism into the area and serve as an information point for the Wee County.

It could also link-in with businesses, potentially offering promotions and the likes.

Anthea added: "It could link to the new Clackmannan bunkhouse, it could tell people how to hire a bike and cycle out to the Japanese Garden [at Cowden].

"But also, it could just take people on a short walk or tell people where you can get access to walks.

"We are open to ideas and thoughts at this stage."

Visit bit.ly/2R0gCI9 to engage with the baseline survey.