Balloch Station is set for a park and ride facility, whilst £150,000 is set to be invested in local bus services.
Last week Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) announced more than half a million pounds of funding for local travel projects across Dumbarton, Alexandria and Helensburgh.
The projects include £50,000 for a park and ride facility at Balloch station, £150,000 for ‘bus infrastructure improvements’ and £50,000 for A814 congestion reduction measures.
A total of £290,000 is also set to be invested in cycle routes across Helensburgh and Lomond including in Rosneath.
Meanwhile, £25,000 has also been set aside for bus infrastructure upgrades within the Helensburgh area.
Further funding for these projects over the next three financial years by SPT has also been identified as part of a wider announcement of £14.5 million of grant investment this year for transport improvements across the Strathclyde area.
It is part of SPT’s 2023/24 Capital Plan with the organisation working in partnership with councils and other authorities to deliver the projects.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie welcomed the news, saying she hopes it could lead to a long awaited cycle path being built.
She said: “I am pleased that there is set to be investment to the tune of almost £565,000 which will benefit residents across my constituency.
“Bus services in particular are a lifeline to the communities across West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond and significant funding to improve these is welcomed.
“It is imperative, given the climate emergency that sustainable travel is improved so I am pleased that there is an emphasis on improving cycle paths as well as encouraging people to use the train to get to and from Balloch.
“Perhaps we will finally see the cycle path from Cardross to Helensburgh, which has been on the cards for more than 20 years, realised.”
Stephen Dornan, chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said: “Despite challenging financial pressures, SPT is working to make transport in across our area greener, more connected, and more reliable and accessible to all.
“Our investment programme will ensure communities, residents and businesses can share in the benefits of improved public transport and active travel.
“We are proud to announce this funding and look forward to working with the local authority and others to progress these projects and deliver transport improvements across the region.”
Figures show that Balloch station currently welcomes around 279,000 passengers a year - and is especially busy during the summer months with visitors flocking to Loch Lomond. This figure is down dramatically from before the pandemic however, with passenger numbers peaking at 554,000 in 2018/19.
