Active Travel Routes Fraserburgh and Inverurie
Construction has begun on new exciting active travel developments in Fraserburgh and Inverurie
Construction has begun on a new 2km active route connecting Fraserburgh and Inverallochy across the Water of Philorth.
The Aberdeenshire Council project has been championed for several years by local councillors and Invercairn Community Council who were keen to see improved links with the two neighbouring coastal communities.
A key element of the project has been the construction of a steel bridge by Perth-based specialists Edwards Engineering which will be installed later this year to establish the connection to the former rail way line and linking with the popular Formartine and Buchan Way.
Aberdeenshire Council has secured £420,000 in capital funding from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 programme. The funding will support the development and delivery of active travel infrastructure projects that encourage walking, wheeling and cycling, helping to create healthier communities, support healthier lifestyles, strengthen local economies and encourage more sustainable travel choices for residents.
Due to the path’s proximity to Fraserburgh Golf Club, every effort will be made to minimise disruption during the anticipated five-month construction period to create this important community asset.
Cllr Doreen Mair, chair of the council’s Banff and Buchan Area Committee, said: “I am delighted to see works starting on this active travel route between Fraserburgh and Inverallochy and I know it will become a very popular route for many residents from both communities once completed. I would like to thank our local councillors past and present and the community council for their enthusiastic support of this important new link.”
Meanwhile, across in Garioch, works are continuing on another active travel project establishing improved routes through the Kellands area of Inverurie.
Once again £120,000 in capital funding has been secured from the Scottish Government’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 for a range of high-quality improvements in the area including new wide, accessible paths through Kellands Park, junction improvements at Selbie Drive and Kellands Road.
Last year, an illuminated active travel path was established along the eastern side of Kellands Park and new all-ability path access provided onto Kellands Primary School.
While every effort will be made to minimise disruption during the upcoming construction period, pedestrians are asked to be aware of and follow any temporary local path closures during the works.
Welcoming the grant award, Cllr Marion Ewenson, chair of the council’s Garioch Area Committee, said: “The latest works will continue to enhance the park environment for all users, making it safer, more welcoming and easier to navigate. Our bid was successful, in part, due to the joined-up approach set out in our award-winning Inverurie Integrated Travel Town Masterplan and will support the School Streets scheme which has been introduced at Kellands Primary School. Kellands Park is an extremely busy thoroughfare and these improvements will support much improved access between the schools, community leisure facilities, the hospital campus and the town centre.”
Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, added: “Receiving this level of capital funding is great news for all these communities and such exciting improvements mark a positive step forward for active travel in Aberdeenshire, supporting healthier lifestyles and making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to choose walking, wheeling or cycling for everyday journeys.”
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