North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison was welcomed progress with a new £200,000 footpath/cycle way to connect Portlethen with Cove.

The missing link will join Marywell and Charleston alongside the old Wellington Road and will provide a safe route for cyclists and walkers.

Cllr Mollison said: “At present pedestrians and people on bikes have to share the country road with traffic or try to use the grassy verge. Neither is ideal. I have done it myself and when lorries thunder by it is most unpleasant – and could even be dangerous.

“With the expansion of Portlethen at Hillside and Marywell, it is only natural that more and more people would like the opportunity to walk or cycle to Cove and beyond. With the growing Aberdeen Gateway industrial estate and a primary school at Charleston, I know there are many people who would welcome this.

“However it may be some time yet before we see construction work beginning. The decision in principle by Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee on 12 May though is a major hurdle cleared. A wide range of transport initiatives across Aberdeenshire were supported by the committee and the details will now be discussed by the council’s area committees.

“I did receive assurances that there will be close liaison with Aberdeen City Council as there would be little point in spending time and effort on a route which stops abruptly at the city boundary. In addition I was told at the committee meeting that there are still some land issues to be resolved. I will continue to press for it to be built as soon as possible.”