A DROP in event is being held today to find ways to improve walking and cycling in the Woodside area of the city.

The city council is planning to make a range of changes to improve the environment for cyclists, pedestrians, local residents and businesses.

They could result in new public spaces and paths, new zebra crossings for pedestrians and cyclists and segregated cycle lanes.

The aim is to increase road safety, improve the quality of public spaces, increase the number of cyclists and reduce journey times.

Council bosses are to bid for funding from Transport Scotland and are competing against projects in Edinburgh, Inverness and Stirling.

Funding for the project depends on a high level of support and comment from local people and firms.

In the Woodside area, more than 57% of people do not have access to a car, more than 23% own a bike, 29% regularly walk to work and almost 4% regularly travel by bike which is higher than the national average.

Last year, the city council lodged a £13million bid for the Woodside Mini Holland which would have created a cycling and walking district but the bid, which was up against 37 others, was not successful.

The new bid maintains a focus on Woodside but part of the Woodlands area has also been included.

An online consultation, which began on June 19 and runs for three months, can be accessed at https://woodsideminiholland.commonplace.is/

A drop in event is being held today from 3.30pm to 7.30pm in Woodside Halls in Glenfarg Street.

Kenny McLean, the council’s convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to have their say on how their areas is developed.

“The more suggestions people give, the more influence they will have and there is a greater chance of the project winning funding in the competition.

“The project is designed to encourage more people to walk and cycle, improving their health and the city’s air quality.”