BUSINESS cases for a “world-class active travel culture” and network are due to be approved as part of the city deal this week.

The Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal Joint Committee will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, January 24, with the active travel programme on the agenda.

Representatives on the committee are being asked to approve outline business cases for five routes in the region, in anticipation of endorsement from the Scottish Government.

The routes, including Alloa to Springkerse via Manor Powis as well as Fishcross to the University of Stirling, form part of an ambition to increase the proportion of trips made by active travel modes to 20 per cent in communities served.

By 2030, the programme aims to deliver 37km of high-quality, safe, active travel routes in a bid to connect people of all ages and mobility levels to centres of education, recreation and employment.

For the wider outcomes of the city deal, it is hoped the scheme will help reduce carbon emissions while promoting sustainable transport alternatives.

It is hoped that through investment, the health and well-being of communities can be improved while addressing “transport poverty” through the provision of inclusive and widely available options.

The development of the routes could also reduce childhood obesity while improving air quality in communities.

It is also hoped that unnecessary car journeys can be reduced through positive behaviour change.

Other than the two routes connecting the Wee County to areas of Stirling, a Dunblane-Causewayhead; Falling-Stirling with NCN76 improvements; and a Stirling City to Cambuskenneth Abbey and Ladysneuk Road project are on the table for the day.

If the routes are developed, people from Fishcross could enjoy dedicated walking and wheeling infrastructure almost all the way to Dunblane by utilising the route to the university.

The Causewayhead route would easily be accessible by making it across the campus.

Committee papers said: “Achieving the shift to active travel will reduce road traffic, reduce carbon emissions in line with the climate emergency, while providing a healthier and more cost-efficient mode of transport for users.

“The Stirling and Clackmannanshire CRD also highlights the economic importance of investment in active travel, recognising its ability to improve regional connectivity between local authority areas and among rural communities, providing better access to employment and education as well as increasing tourism opportunities with connections to the existing National Cycle Network.”

Nearly £4.5million in funding would be drawn from the city deal in funding and officers intend to bid to Sustrans with a total expenditure of £18.6m.

The next step will be to progress outline business cases, which is anticipated to take 10-12 months to complete.