In Motherwell town centre, similar to schemes already introduced in Ayr, Falkirk and Stirling, the aim is to develop an active travel hub. This could also provide a cycle hire scheme, access to bike repair services and provide a workspace for a local social enterprise or group who could run the facility.

At Ravenscraig, there could be cycling/wheeling facilities including leisure, training and skills, repair and maintenance workshop.

We have appointed consultants to assess demand for the facilities being considered at each location and what is needed to make them successful. Feedback from local people is critical to this. It will help gain useful local knowledge and find out what type of facilities would best meet the needs of the community. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey.

Surveys of the area have shown significantly fewer people in North Lanarkshire cycle, walk or wheel their way to work or school than the rest of Scotland, even though most journeys are less than five miles. This is one key reason why the council is interested in developing cycling, walking and wheeling schemes in the area and introducing measures like cycle hire, bike workshops and training for children and adults.

Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee, said: “As part of our plans for improvements to Motherwell town centre and the regeneration of Ravenscraig, we have ambitions to create active travel routes for walking, cycling and wheeling. The plan to create safe, attractive routes for local people and visitors to use for leisure and travelling to work is also part of our Active Travel Strategy.

“To support this, we are considering the idea of cycling and wheeling facilities in these areas. To help us to develop these ideas, we would like hear the views of local people on what facilities they would like to see provided.”

The survey is live until 4 March 2022.