News on Raploch Street Design

During March and April 2019, the ‘Explore the Design’ stage of the project, we received over 600 comments about our design ideas and reached over 2,000 people ! Thank you very much for getting involved. For more detail on this, see the ‘Explore the design stage’ blog post from a few weeks ago.

This week we have summarised these comments and we explain the team’s design responses. This is a very brief overview of all the feedback gathered, so not all comments will be reflected in it. However we have tried to include as many as possible, and we have considered all the comments , including those which we haven’t been able to include here.

You will have the chance to discuss this feedback and our response at our next event, on Thursday the 6th June from 1pm till 6pm outdoors, in Raploch Road with Huntley Crescent , where we will also discuss the ‘temporary changes’ stage of the project: https://www.facebook.com/events/374005456656264/ We hope to see you there!

You will also be able to view the updated designs on this website , from the 6th of June.

If you can’t make it to the event but have any questions about the design, please email Irene at Irene.tortajada@sustrans.org.uk

Accessibility and Walking

There were positive comments about pavement improvement, additional informal and controlled crossings and measures to reduce and prevent pavement parking, continuous footways and raised tables. These interventions were seen as improving accessibility for people with restricted mobility.

Some requested differentiating the pavement from the carriageway by using different colours. Also adding more measures to avoid pavement parking, and ensuring continuous footways are safe for the visually impaired. Finally, some asked if the continuous footways meant car access was blocked to side streets.

Crossings

Controlled crossings and additional informal crossing points throughout the project area were regarded positively. Many agreed it would be safer to cross the street with the proposed changes. It was also suggested that informal crossing points were painted on the road , to highlight them to pedestrians and drivers. There were also some requests for an additional crossing at the other side of Back O’Hill Road, and a toucan crossing at the Raploch Road junction with Drip Road.

Finally, it was suggested that the tree planter in this junction was removed, as it was seen as obstructing sightlines.

Cycling

Segregated cycle lanes are seen as positive change. There were requests to use a different colour material for the cycle paths, but make sure it is not slippery, and to better link this project with the wider Stirling area. This wider linking could include, it was suggested, a connection to the Riverside Path by adding a ramp, and a better cycling link between the Old Railway Path and Weir Street.

Some asked for segregated cycle lanes on both sides of Raploch Road, and the junction with Drip Road, or to open the pavement on one side of the road to cyclists. Finally, better signage and wayfinding for cyclists was suggested.

Driving

The proposed 20mph limit was regarded positively, and there were requests to ensure this is clearly signed and enforced, and if possible implemented in all of Raploch. There were also some suggestions for making the road space narrower wherever possible.

Raised tables were generally seen as an adequate way of slowing traffic. Some requested further raised tables along the area, particularly in the Weir Street junction and near the Back O’Hill end of Raploch Road. These were seen as more effective than speed bumps.

There were a few comments about trying to re-direct traffic from Drip Road and Raploch Road into the Millennium Way.

Public parking

There was general opposition to the double yellow line outside 96-126 Raploch Road, as it is frequently used as visitor parking by residents. On the other hand, there were generally positive comments about the Back O’Hill area proposed echelon parking, along with requests for more disabled spaces in this section, by removing one of the planters instead. It was also highlighted that one of the proposed planters was in an active driveway, and that the rear of bays need to allow wheelchair access. Some raised concerns about difficulty pulling out of echelon parking, especially when the road is busy.

Finally, there were requests for an additional passing place in the green space, at the end of Raploch Road/Craigforth Crescent closer to the Fire Station. This is because at the moment people park in the green space, but with the high kerb, they would park beside it, which may obstruct traffic.

Greenspace

There was widespread support for the path along the trees and the play area. We gathered some requests for it to be 2m wide for accessibility. Also, boulders were seen as a more adequate material for the nature play section.

There were also requests for an additional passing place in the green space, at the end of Raploch Road/Craigforth Crescent closer to the Fire Station. This is because at the moment people park in the green space, but with the high kerb, they would park beside it, which may obstruct traffic.

There were many positive comments about the added greenery in the Back O’Hill area, including the transformation of the bus turning area, but some worries about the maintenance of the green space.

Bus routes

There were voiced concerns about the possibility of altering the existing bus routes and location of current bus stops.

General

There was general support for removing some of the fencing, and several asks for replacing existing guard rail with something more modern and attractive. More litter bins, dog litter bins and seating was also requested for the whole project area. We received positive comments about the benches delivered so far, and the community noticeboard. Finally, several suggestions were noted to remove seating in front of the housing at the Back O’Hill end of Raploch Road, and simply have planters instead.