Latest news with #LLTNPA
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Popular bus service returns to National Park this summer
LLTNPA said this year's expanded service draws on extensive feedback and evaluation from 2024, when 91% of surveyed passengers said they would use the shuttle bus again. New improvements include an extension to the route, now starting from Drymen, better connections to existing public transport services, a new local operator, and more accessible buses, LLTNPA added. Two low-emission, modern buses will run seven days a week between Drymen and Callander, stopping at popular visitor destinations including Aberfoyle, The Lodge, Ben Venue, Loch Katrine, Ben A'an, Brig o' Turk and Kilmahog (for Ben Ledi). READ MORE The service features improved connectivity with coordinated timetables linking existing bus services to and from Killin, Stirling, Glasgow, Alexandria and Balloch, as well as Loch Katrine sailing times. The service, operated this year by local company McColls, will trial further enhancements and route expansions this summer as part of ongoing efforts by the National Park Authority to provide sustainable travel options, reduce congestion, ease parking pressures and help visitors and residents connect and protect the National Park's special environment. Gordon Watson, Chief Executive at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: "Following the success of last years' service, we're delighted to welcome the Trossachs Explorer back on the road this summer - helping visitors and residents to build deeper connections with nature, while doing their part to reduce emissions and protect our National Park for future generations. "The expanded service helps us directly tackle the challenge that 79% of visitors to the National Park arrive by car, while also opening up opportunities for young people, families without cars, and staff working in local businesses who need reliable transport options. "Services like this prove that rural areas can lead the way in demonstrating multiple benefits to visitors, residents and local businesses. But true sustainability can only be achieved through long-term investment and partnership. This expanded pilot allows us to continue to gather the insight and evidence needed to develop long-term transport solutions across the entire National Park.' The Trossachs Explorer Shuttle Bus (Image: LLTTNP) Cllr Jen Preston, Convener of Stirling Council's Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee said: 'The resounding success of last year's pilot has led to the welcome return and expansion of the Trossachs Explorer bus service. There's a clear appetite for sustainable and well-connected public transport options in rural Stirling, and in particular to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which this service responds to. 'Every visitor and resident who uses the Trossachs Explorer helps to reduce traffic congestion and contributes to a reduction in vehicle emissions while helping to support rural communities.' Liam McColl, Director of McColl's, said: 'We're proud to be operating the Trossachs Explorer service this summer, helping connect communities and visitors across one of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes. This is a real opportunity to show what rural public transport can achieve when it's planned around local needs, environmental priorities and visitor access. 'Our team has worked closely with the National Park Authority to design a timetable that provides reliable, accessible connections - not just for visitors, but for local people too. The feedback from last year's pilot has been invaluable, and we're excited to build on that by trialling new improvements and laying the groundwork for what we hope becomes a permanent, year-round network. It's great to see growing momentum behind sustainable rural transport, and we're delighted to be part of that story in the Trossachs.' The Trossachs Explorer is supported by funding from the National Park Authority, Tactran through Transport Scotland's People and Place programme, Stirling Council and Callander Community Council through the Braes of Doune Community Fund. More information about The Trossachs Explorer, including timetables, prices and route details, is available on the National Park Authority website at
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Judicial review call as Flamingo Land Lomond Banks approved
What's clear is the sense of shock felt by some in the community. Balloch and Haldane Community Council expressed 'deep disappointment and outrage' and called for an emergency meeting of all key stakeholders and political representatives. Alannah Maurer of Save Loch Lomond described it as an 'affront to democracy'. But it is not necessarily over. At least one option now remains through which approval can be opposed – a judicial review, petitioned by the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA), the planning authority which rejected it in September last year. LLTNPA are standing by their decision. Dr Heather Reid, Convener of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board, said: 'We acknowledge the notification from the Scottish Government Reporter that he is minded to allow the appeal and grant Planning Permission in Principle for the Lomond Banks tourism development in Balloch. 'We stand by the reasons for the Board's unanimous decision to refuse this planning application and it is deeply disappointing that the Reporter has taken a different view. We will now take some time to go through the report and to understand its implications.' But will the National Park authority petition fight this decision? National Parks campaigner and author of the ParkswatchScotland blog, Nick Kempe, has called on the park authority 'to petition for judicial review'. Kempe, who believes that one of the reasons that the reporter made this decision is 'because the LLTNPA's reasons for rejecting the application were so weak', says: 'If they want to now show faith as a National Park, they need to challenge this decision. They now need to start behaving like a National Park and challenge this decision.' Artist's impression of Lomond Banks (Image: Lomond Banks) Other avenues for fighting the development appear to have now closed. Scottish Government ministers can no longer call in and overturn it because the window, before the Reporter makes a decision, for doing this has passed. That ministers failed to call it in has infuriated some campaigners. Alannah Maurer of Save Loch Lomond said: 'The Scottish Government should have called it in before the reporter made this decision. They had all the tools in the box and chose not to use them. It's cowardice. They don't want to use them. Now the only option is a judicial review. It's an affront to democracy. The SNP have abdicated responsibility.' Read more from Vicky Allan: The resort, comprising woodland lodges, hotels, monorail, waterpark and other facilities, has often been described as the 'most objected to' planning application in history due to the over 150,000 objection signatures gathered through a petition portal. Lomond Banks, the resort's developer, owned by the Yorkshire theme park operator Flamingo Land, had appealed the rejection by LLTNPA and responded to the decision with delight. Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: 'This is a real milestone moment for the Lomond Banks vision, and has been a long time in the making." Lynne Somerville, director of Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust (Image: Colin Mearns) Meanwhile, the decision has a potential negative impact on plans which have been developed by Balloch and Haldane Community Council (BHCC) and The Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust. A planning application has already been submitted for the temporary asset transfer of the Tourist Information Building and relationships developed with partners. 'This is not just a bad planning decision," a spokesperson for BHCC said, "it is a fundamental failure of democracy and policy, This decision rides roughshod over the principles of community empowerment, environmental protection, and democratic accountability. 'Our community, through proper statutory channels, objected in strong and clear terms. The will of the people has been ignored.' READ MORE: The Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust has said it will move forward with developing a positive, community-led alternative for the site — one that reflects 'local values, protects natural heritage, and promotes sustainable, inclusive tourism". 'This is about more than just opposing a development,' said a Trust spokesperson. 'It's about creating a future that reflects the true spirit of Loch Lomond — one led by the people who live here, not imposed from above.' 'We are not backing down,' BHCC added. 'The gloves are off. This is our community, our land, and our future — and we will fight for it.'
