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Forthbank Wind Energy Development
9.3.66 There are three strong infrastructure development lines crossing the southern part of the study
area. One where Glasgow’s north east stretching conurbation meets with the River Forth
industrial urban spread. The ZTV cover on this line begins from Cumbernauld where the A80
heads to the north eastwards and splits in to the M80 and the M876. The M80 (with the A872)
runs northwards through Denny to link with the M9. (There is no ZTV cover over the settlement
and communication corridor.) The M876 runs north eastwards, crosses the M9 and leads to
the River Forth crossing.
9.3.67 The M9 runs along the Forth estuary coastal margins from the south east boundary of the
study area. The ZTV cover over the M9 begins from Polmont and follows the M9 to the north to
its end beyond Stirling. Settlements around Falkirk in the loop of the M9 and, the M876 are
within the ZTV. Grangemouth and Bo’ness on the southern shore of the River Forth fall within
the ZTV.
9.3.68 The other heavily developed infrastructure lines in the southern part of the study area, such as
the M8, the A89 and the A71 routes remain outwith the ZTV and were therefore not assessed
further.
9.3.69 Elsewhere within the study area, however, settlements are limited to villages or small towns
along river valleys or at junctions of rivers. As the road network, discussed above, also follows
these valleys, settlements and major road junctions coincide together with the valley junctions
and river crossing points.
9.3.70 The most rural areas are the Ochil Hills in the north of the study area and the Gargunnock Hills
in the west of the study area where parts of the hill mass are uninhabited. Potential visibility is
indicated in long ZTV bands running along the southern foothills of the Ochil Hills. Settlements
alongside the A91 such as Menstrie, Alva, Tillicoultry and Dollar are positioned on the bottom
of the River Devon valley. The ZTV band touches the northern higher level of these
settlements.
9.3.71 The developed nature of the study area means that there are many roads and recreational
walking and cycling routes that need to be considered in the assessment and these are listed
below.
National Cycle Routes (NCR):
Table 9.8 National Cycle Routes
NCR No
NR 1
NR 76
NR 754
NR 764
NR 765
The Long Distance Way
Where the NCR runs
between Edinburgh and Aberdeen via Dunfermline, Auchtermuchty.
between Dunbar and Kirkcaldy. This route runs on both side of the River Forth estuary via Stirling.
between Kirkintilloch and Edinburgh via Bonnybridge, Falkirk, Linlithgow
the West Fife Way between Alloa and Dunfermline via Clackmannan.
between Stirling and Callander via Dunblane.
9.3.72 The Devon Way is a relatively easy walk from Alloa to Dollar mainly along the route of the old
railway line. The route is well used by dog walkers, cyclists, runners, horse riders and those
just out for a gentle walk. The route circles the Sterling Mills Shopping Village and crosses the
Moss Road at Devonvale Hall before carrying on to Dollar. The route between Tillicoultry and
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 36
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