Stirling Council will spend more than £7million fixing the region’s roads, walkways and bridges over the next year.
Around £7.3m will be invested over the next 12 months as part of a programme of improvement and maintenance works.
But this sum includes £275,000 for road safety measures outside schools - needed as crossing patrols are set to be axed as part of budget cuts.
Details of the upgrades were outlined to councillors at a meeting of the environment, transport and net zero committee last Thursday.
The funding includes a road maintenance budget of £4.75m, with a further £1m to improve roads, footways and road safety. Further investment of around £1.6m will be made in bridge maintenance, flood prevention and street lighting and also includes £600,000 from the Scottish Government for cycling, walking and safer routes networks.
Routes to benefit include roads in the city centre, such as King Street, and key arteries to and from rural areas such as Aberfoyle, Kippen and Fintry.
Following the completion of work to Branshogle Bridge earlier this year, and with the re-opening of Catterburn Bridge later this month, focus will also turn to design and repair of other key bridges.
It is estimated 70 per cent of the road improvement plans, including road re-surfacing, pothole repairs and drainage improvements, will take place on the area’s busiest routes, with the remaining 30 per cent on less busy routes, including residential streets.
At the meeting, SNP councillor Jim Thomson said he was “really disappointed” about the money being spent removing crossing patrol officers.
He added: “That £275,000 could have been better spent on other interventions. That worries me a lot.
“When we come to school crossing patrol closures I think you will find - and I have the example of Drip Road in Stirling in my ward - that where you have a patrol officer you often need both because drivers just ignore the crossings.”
Meanwhile, other members sought assurances that disruption would be minimised and that communities would be fully consulted and informed.
Conservative councillor Martin Earl thanked officers for their assurance that timing would not be based solely on existing policies and that communities would still be consulted.
Officers said information on all works was always available via the Roadworks Scotland website, however Tory councillor Rachel Nunn also asked that not only the timing of works but also expected progress and reasons for any delays be better communicated to residents and road users, including via the council’s website, to alleviate concerns and frustrations.
Head of environment and place Dot Reid said: “Where we are aware of particular problems we could probably communicate better and we will take that away as an action point.”
Committee convener, Labour councillor Jen Preston, said: “Stirling Council is responsible for a substantial road and footway network, with over 1000 kilometres of roads and over 600 kilometres of footways and footpaths.
“It is our largest and most visible community asset, used daily by residents, visitors and businesses. Our roads network is key to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of our communities and this significant investment recognises its importance.
“We will endeavour, at all stages, to ensure that all work is planned with a view of minimising inconvenience to road users during key periods.”
Among accident prevention work to be carried out will be zebra crossings in Wallace Road and Springfield Terrace in Dunblane and pedestrian crossings in Croftamie and Fallin.
Village gateway entry features will also be implemented for Killin, Brig O’Turk and Kinbuck, and junction improvements for Station Road in Gargunnock and the C9/C69 Roman Road.
Carriageway works will take place in Dumbarton Road, King Street, Baker Street and Broad Street in the city centre and at Falleninch.
