A range of improvements are set to be introduced between Montgarrie and Alford as Aberdeenshire Council develops a new active travel route.
The existing path will be closed for construction at the end of January to enable the route to be widened, surfaces improved and a new footbridge installed to improve it for walking, wheeling and cycling, as well as running and jogging.
It is anticipated that the new route – which is being fully-funded by Nestrans – will be open for use, weather-permitting, by March 31.
Last year, the council engaged with the local community for feedback on the proposed route which follows existing paths through Haughton Country Park which will be upgraded to a 2m wide path to create a more accessible route for all users and mobility.
Around 64% of respondents expressed support for the suggested route with 74% stating that they would use it for leisure or travel.
The chosen route was designed to find a balance between using the most direct route and utilising the existing paths while causing the least disruption to the environment and making the most of the natural features.
Ewan Wallace, Head of Environment and Sustainability at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “I would like to thank all those who participated in our engagement work which has helped our team develop the improvement work. Following that process we have continued to work on our original proposal with the aim of designing a route which is accessible for all users but also in-keeping with the natural environment.
“We do appreciate that there will be some temporary disruption to park users as the improvement works are undertaken – in particular the replacement of the wooden bridge – however there will be a diversion in place for this. There will also be some temporary changes to the existing one-way system while works are undertaken on the entrance and exit roads, but these will be signed and controlled.”
For more information about the improvements visit: https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/montgarrie-footpath-design-consultation
