Lover's Lane

RSCT Successfully Completed Lover's Lane Repair and Upgrade with £10,000 Grant 

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Rhu and Shandon Community Trust (RSCT) undertook a Community Survey in partnership with Rhu and Shandon Community Council earlier this year to gauge opinions on the formation of the Trust and shape the Local Place Plan. "Improvements in pathway maintenance" was identified as the highest priority need in the category for Active Travel and Transport — and Lover's Lane was identified as the highest priority pathway in need of repair and upgrade, with over 95% of respondents saying that it was a high or medium priority.

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As Scotland's walking charity, Walking Scotland's SPT Community Path Fund supports communities to enhance local path networks, making it easier for people to walk and wheel around their communities to carry out everyday functional journeys (such as to school, workplaces or the shops). It is funded by the Scottish Government's People and Place Programme — and delivered through Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Transport Scotland.

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Chair of RSCT Fiona Baker said,

'Whilst the Trust waited for the legal work to transfer Ardenconnel Wood to community ownership to be completed, we were busy in the background developing the foundations of the charity. We are delighted to have delivered this project, funded by Walking Scotland, which so many residents identified as a priority for improvement in the village.'

 

COST

The total project cost was £13,400. RSCT provided half of this in volunteer time, managing the contract and clearing vegetation along the lane, which is designated as a core path. A funding appeal was launched to help make up the shortfall, and RSCT received financial assistance from Helensburgh and District Access Trust, Rhu and Shandon Community Council and immediate neighbours of Lover's Lane.

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Fiona added,

'We are very grateful for the financial contributions that made this project possible. The funding raised allowed us to carry out a top-quality and long-lasting repair of this well-used path, including fixing the major drainage problems that were essential to making the repair sustainable. As a new charity, we hadn't had time to build up unrestricted funds for projects like this, and initial donations to the Trust were made for Ardenconnel Wood, so that money remained ring-fenced for the Wood. The generosity of residents and local organisations made all the difference, and as the Trust develops, we will continue to work hard to build up financial reserves for future projects.'

 

OUTCOME

Lover's Lane was temporarily closed while repair works — including drainage solutions, vegetation clearance and resurfacing — were carried out. The work was completed within the anticipated timeframe of one to two weeks, and the lane is now fully open and improved for the whole community to enjoy.

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