What follows is an exchange of correspondence between Connel CC and Transport Scotland. It seems that there will definitely be no Pelican or Toucan Crossing in the village as the cycle route will now use the Kilmore Road instead. 

Hello Mr Davidson

Connel Community Council held its AGM on Tuesday evening and Cllr. Elaine Robertson attended the meeting.
The Cycle Path through the village was discussed but I had to say that I had had no information from you on the subject and that my last communication had gone unanswered.
However, Cllr Robertson said that she had met with you that afternoon (something which you had mentioned to me previously) and that you had said that Transport Scotland had taken on board the concerns of the community in Connel regarding the use of a Pelican Crossing on the A85 and that an alternative route for the Cycle Way was being considered.
Rather than keeping our community in the dark and hearing your ideas through our Councillor can you please communicate with us directly - so that we can have a proper, helpful dialogue, rather than us feeling 'left out' of whatever plans you are making or have made.
Les Stewart
Secretary

Dear Mr Stewart,

Thank you for your email.  I would comment as follows:

•         Transport Scotland has no current proposals for a controlled crossing on the A85 in Connel, the previous proposal having been the subject of objections from your Community Council.
•         Sustrans is responsible for the delivery of the National Cycle Network across Scotland and the rest of the UK, including NCN 78 between Oban and Fort William.  Transport Scotland’s primary focus relates to any impacts that the NCN might have on the Trunk Road network.
•         The route of the NCN 78 is discussed and agreed by the Oban to Fort William Steering Group.  The Steering Group is chaired by Sustrans and includes representatives of Transport Scotland and officials and elected members of both Argyll and Bute Council and The Highland Council.
•         The Steering group met on the afternoon of Tuesday 14 May, during which the Steering Group agreed that the route of NCN 78 between Oban and Connel should be via the Kilmore Road rather than along the coast to Dunbeg and then along the route of the A85 to Connel.  Among other things, this addresses difficulties in acquiring land and removes the need for a controlled trunk road crossing in Connel.
•         Transport Scotland was unable to advise you of this route decision in advance because it was a matter for the Steering Group to consider and agree.
•         I asked Councillor Robertson if she would be good enough to advise your Community Council of this change of route because I knew she was attending your Community Council meeting later that evening, and as a local councillor she is the appropriate representative of local interests on the Steering Group.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Regards,

Andrew Davidson