B834

This article is about the current B834 in Killearn.
For the former B834 (now A880) on the Cowal Peninsula, see B834 (Cowal).

The B834 is a link road in west Stirlingshire between the A809 at Finnich Toll and the A875 at Killearn via Blane Smithy Roundabout, where it meets the A81.

Route

Killearn

Starting at a simple T-junction on the A809 at Finnich Toll, the B834 heads east, dropping steadily down the hill next to Finnich Glen in a series of straights. After nearly a mile, the road levels out and crosses Blane Bridge over the Blane Water, shortly before its confluence with the Endrick Water. This narrow bridge has priority for westbound traffic, which has just dropped sharply round a double bend from Blane Smithy. Before Blane Smithy Roundabout is reached, the B834 crosses a mini roundabout on the site of the former junction with the A81, before that road was realigned. This mini roundabout now solely serves a dozen properties along the cul-de-sac to the north.

Beyond the two roundabouts, the B834 starts climbing again, across the old railway line now used by the West Highland Way, and then through a couple of kinks in woodland before opening up in a long straight up the hill. Open fields stretch out to the left, but to the right are the modern housing estates of Killearn, and sure enough after one final bend, the road comes to an end on the A875 Balfron Road next to the village church.

History

The B834 was unclassified in 1922, with the number being used elsewhere. That road was short-lived and the present B834 had come into being by 1932. However, the draft proposals for the 1935 renumberings would have seen the B834 wiped out again, absorbed into an extended B818. While the suggestion is marked as 'Agreed', it was never carried through.